Hypochrysops hippuris

Hypochrysops hippuris Hewitson, 1874
Hippuris Jewel
LUCIINI , THECLINAE , LYCAENIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 14 June 2008)

Hypochrysops hippuris
(Photo: by P.S. Valentine and S.J. Johnson, courtesy of The Australian Entomologist)

These Caterpillars have scalloped edges, and are brown with a broad pale green stripe along the back containing red lumps, one in the middle of the back of each segment. The Caterpillar grows to a length of about 1 cm. It feeds on the tropical rainforest Fern :

Pyrrosia lanceolata ( POLYPODIACEAE ).

pupa
(Photos: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The wings of the adult male butterflies of this species are bright blue edged with black, with a large white streak on each forewing. Underneath, the forewings are white with a black costa and margin, and the hindwings are streaked with black and khaki. The darker regions under both fore and hind wings are streaked and spotted with metallic green.

The females are similar, but have less of a blue sheen to the upper surfaces of the forewings. The adults of both sexes have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

The male butterflies are noted for appearing very lazy. They normally will choose some leaf on which to rest, and if disturbed, will fly slowly around and return to the same leaf.

The species is found in New Guinea, and the subspecies nebulosis is found on Cape York, and adjacent islands.