Erysichton lineata

Erysichton lineata (Murray, 1874)
(previously known as : Lycaena lineata)
Hairy Lineblue
POLYOMMATINI , POLYOMMATINAE , LYCAENIDAE

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

(updated 13 May 2008)

Erysichton lineata
male
(Photo: courtesy of Martin Purvis,
taken in the McMahons Point, Sydney)

This Caterpillar is green with white dots and has a hairy head and tail. It feeds on the flowers of various species of plant, such as :

Rose Satinash ( Syzygium francisii, MYRTACEAE ),

Kodo Wood ( Ehretia acuminata, BORAGINACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ),

Flame tree ( Brachychiton acerifolium, STERCULIACEAE ),

Corduroy Tamarind ( Arytera lauteriana, SAPINDACEAE ), .

The pupa is brown with darker markings. Its length is about 1 cm.

female
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The females are brown on top with a large white patch on each forewing, and a blue sheen near the hinges and the hindwings each have a black eye-spot at the tornus. Both sexes have a small tail at the hindwing tornus. The male adults are blue on top.

female: underside
(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

Underneath, the wings are fawn with arcs of darker markings, and both sexes have a black spot under each hindwing tornus. The females also have a large white patch under each forewing. The butterflies have a wing span of about 2 cms.

The eggs are laid on flower buds of a foodplant.

The species occurs along most of the east coast of Australia.