www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I posted this on the General forum but had no reply so I thought I would try the species forum for Chalkhill blues.
I went looking for Chalkhill blue larvae last week - found some but also found some ants tending a small, brown, open case which just looked perfect for a larva to pupate in. There was a lot of ant activity. I don't think it was last year's case so do the ants build the cases to put the larva/pupa in? This seems a bit unlikely and requires some foresight. Does anyone out there know whether this might be a possibility?

I saw your post, and thought the photo was brilliant, but I didn't know the answer, so didn't reply. I'm sure someone does, so keep this one alive!

Guy

Hi Dave,

There's no description that I'm aware of that would suggest that ants build cocoons for any species - any cocoon being built by the larva itself.

Cheers,

- Pete

Jeremy Thomas says in The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland

lives concealed in an earthen cell moulded by ants beneath the vetches

which is exactly where I found this.
Dave

Thanks Dave - I'd not read this. I also wonder what Jeremy means by "moulding" and "earthen cell"

Cheers,

- Pete

It would be nice to think that is exactly what the photo shows!
Dave