Hypochrysops halyaetus

Hypochrysops halyaetus Hewitson, 1874
(one synonym: Polyommatus uranites)
Western Jewel
LUCIINI , THECLINAE , LYCAENIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( don@linus.it.edu.au )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 2 January 2004)

female
(Picture: courtesy of CSIRO Entomology)

These Caterpillars are attended by and live in the nest of the ant species :

Crematogaster perthensis ( MYRMICINAE ).

The Caterpillars feed on :

Daviesia daphnoides ( FABACEAE ),

Marno ( Daviesia divaricata, FABACEAE ),

Green Stinkwood ( Jacksonia sternbergiana, FABACEAE ), and

White Stemmed Wattle ( Acacia xanthina, MIMOSACEAE ).

The pupae are brown and mottled, with two black projections. The pupae have a length of about 1 cm. They are formed in the ant nest.

male
(Specimen: courtesy of Dr. Daniel King)

The adult male and female butterflies are different. On top, the males are an iridescent greenish blue. The females are an iridescent purple. Both have chequered black and white margins and an orange border to each hindwing.

(Photo: courtesy of Dr. Daniel King)

Underneath: they are dark yellow with iridescent green spots outlined in black. The butterflies have a wing span of about 3 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of Dr. Daniel King)

The eggs are white, round and flattened, with a diameter of about 1 mm. They are laid in clusters on a foodplant.

The species is found in south-western Australia.