Association of ants with juvenile Ogyris amaryllis amaryllis Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in south-eastern Queensland

Abstract

The life history of the mistletoe-feeding butterfly Ogyris amaryllis is commonly thought to involve an obligate association with ants. The distribution of eggs of subspecies O. a. meridionalis Bethune-Baker, which occurs over much of the Australian interior, is strongly associated with Iridomyrmex ants. This study examined the level and frequency of ant association exhibited by larvae and pupae of O. a. amaryllis, which occurs in coastal areas of eastern Australia. The distribution of juveniles was compared with that of ants at the scale of sites, mistletoe host trees, and larval sheltering locations. A significant positive association between larvae and ants was detected, although this association was weak and non-specific, indicating that O. a. amaryllis is facultatively myrmecophilous. Observed ant attendance of larvae was uncommon (5.6%). Available evidence suggests that either plasticity exists in the degree of myrmecophily of O. amaryllis, with different degrees of association expressed under different ecological circumstances, or different degrees of myrmecophily are characteristic of subspecific status.