Osiris Blue larvae and ants.
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 12:30 pm
During a trip to the French Alps at the end of June last year myself and my partner Kasia, ( ukb member acheronita ) came across two lycaenidae larvae being tended to by ants. The larvae were feeding on Sainfoin on the edge of a meadow in the village of Le Villars near Roubion.
After doing some research I believe the larvae were Osiris Blue ( Cupido osiris ) larvae, whose only hostplant is Sainfoin. We did find a worn male Osiris Blue in the same meadow and this would tie in as I believe the end of June is very late in the flight season for this species in this area.
Below are four images showing the interaction between the larvae and the ants.
After doing some research I believe the larvae were Osiris Blue ( Cupido osiris ) larvae, whose only hostplant is Sainfoin. We did find a worn male Osiris Blue in the same meadow and this would tie in as I believe the end of June is very late in the flight season for this species in this area.
Below are four images showing the interaction between the larvae and the ants.