SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES

Ogyris otanes otanes (C. and R. Felder)   (Small Bronze Azure)

First instar larvae, head on the right

A large soldier ant of Camponotus terebrans attending a first instar larva.
The larva is 2mm long

Second instar larva

Early third instar larva

Late third instar larva

Photography by R. Grund

Photography by R. Grund                                                                             Photography by L.Hunt

Late third instar larvae photographed with indirect lighting.
Photo on left shows the translucent nature of the larva.
Photo on right clearly shows the long sensory setae arrangement

Fourth instar larva

Fifth instar larva

Sixth instar larva

Photography by R. Grund

Ogyris otanes larva, head on the right, attended by a large soldier ant of Camponotus terebrans.
This larva is not fully grown and exhibits the greenish colour of the younger larvae

Fully mature Ogyris otanes larva, head on the left, attended by a worker ant of Camponotus terebrans

Ogyris otanes larva, head on the right, attended by a large soldier ant of Camponotus terebrans,
also showing the well developed, extendible rear, dorso-lateral organs.
These organs emit pheromone chemicals which are believed to be
an attentive warning signal to the attendant ants

Photography by R. Fisher

Photography by R. Grund

Mature larva attended by large sugar-ant workers.
Brown marks on foodplant are due to cuticle scouring by the larva during the eating process