Ogyris zosine

Ogyris zosine (Hewitson, [1853])
(erroneously: Ogyris zozine)
Northern Azure
ARHOPALINI , THECLINAE , LYCAENIDAE

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

(updated 3 July 2008)

Ogyris zosine
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The eggs of this species are mandarin shaped and dirty white, laid on or near the stems of its food plant. The Caterpillar is greyish pink with a complex pattern of dark markings. It has a pair of yellowish flaps each side by the tail. It feeds on various species of Mistletoe ( LORANTHACEAE ), such as:

Decaisnina signata,

Dendrophthoe glabrescens,

Coast Mistletoe ( Muellerina celastroides ),

Pale Leaved Mistletoe ( Amyema maidenii ),

Box Mistletoe ( Amyena miquelii ), and

Grey Mistletoe ( Amyena quandang ).

The Caterpillars are normally attended by various species of :

Sugar Ants ( Camponotus, FORMICINAE ).

(Photos: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The pupa is mottled brown with a length of about 2 cms.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The upper surfaces of the wings of adult males are a dull metallic blue or puprle, with narrow dark brown edges.

female
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The females are black with large areas of metallic blue, or purple, and have a white patch near each forewing tip.

male, underside
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

Underneath, the fore wings are black with metallic blue bars.

female, underside
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The female additionally has the white patch underneath. The hind wings underneath have a complex pattern of light and dark grey. The wingspan averages 4.5 cms.

female, blue form
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

Three races have been described in mainland Australia :

zolivia,

typhon, and

zosine.