Butterflies of
Australia
Chequered Copper
Lucia limbaria
SWAINSON, 1832
Family - LYCAENIDAE
subfamily -
THECLINAE
Tribe - LUCIINI
Lucia limbaria
Canberra, Australia
© David Fischer
Introduction
The genus Lucia
comprises of 10 known species, distributed variously throughout Indonesia, Papua
and minor islands east of the Wallace Line. Only one species occurs in Australia.
Lucia limbaria
is endemic to Australia and occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
Habitats
This species inhabits open grassy and stony areas at elevations between about 50-500m.
Lifecycle
The eggs are pale green and laid in clusters of between 10-20 on the upper surface of a leaf of the foodplant. The larvae eat various
Oxalis species including corniculatea ( Oxalidaceae ). When fully grown they are pale green with numerous thin dark
lateral and dorsal stripes, and a black plate on the thorax and anal segment. They usually have Iridomyrmex ants in attendance,
and rest inside ant chambers when not feeding. This way they are protected from predators and parasitoids, and in return for the protection gained the ants milk
them for a sweet fluid secreted from a Newcomer's gland on the caterpillar's back. Pupation takes place within the ant nest.
Adult behaviour
Both sexes nectar at low growing
Asteraceae and other flowers.
Lucia limbaria
Canberra, Australia
© David Fischer
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