Why do ants defend this caterpillar?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
June 26, 2002
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The Western pygmy blue butterfly (Brephidium exilis [Boisduval]) lives in waste places--alkali flats, deserts, salt marshes, and low coastlines from Texas to California. The wings are a rich brown due to pigments in the scales. Close to the body, the brown is overlaid with iridescent blue due to refractive scales. The edges of the wings have fine white fringe.
Considered one of the most beautiful of the hairstreak butterflies; the pygmy blue is tiny, only 10 to 19 millimeters (3/8 to 3/4 inch) and seldom noticed.
Eggs are bluish-green and laid on the upper surface of leaves. The slug-like caterpillars are pale green to white with yellow stripes and brown bumps. Other insects and animals seldom eat the host plants: lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album), tumbleweed (Salsola kali), saltbush (Atriplex spp.) and other members of the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae).
Western pygmy blue caterpillars depend on ants and reward them. The caterpillars have honeydew glands. When the ants stroke (milk) the caterpillar, the glands secrete drops of honeydew. The ants defend their sugar source, the caterpillars, from predators.
Dave Powell's Butterfly Site has hundreds of beautiful butterfly photographs. To view his shots of the Western pygmy blue butterfly, click on the link:
http://www.vireos.com/wpygmyblue.html
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
How does a passionflower fool a butterfly? Renfield's Garden - August 1, 2001
What is a California sister? Renfield's Garden - February 18, 2004
How do firebush flower mites travel? Renfield's Garden - August 31, 2005
What butterfly may someday treat cancer? Renfield's Garden - November 6, 2002
What butterfly never visits a flower? Renfield's Garden - May 29, 2002
Why do zebra swallowtails eat pawpaw leaves? Renfield's Garden - May 5, 2004
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The Asclepias Gay Butterfly Mix has tiny, pendulous blossoms in shades of orange, red, pink and lemon-yellow are sure to lure butterflies to your garden! Cut flowers and pods are beautiful in either fresh or dried arrangements with Asclepias. Blooms profusely throughout summer. Grows 18-36" tall with a similar spread.
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