Lycaena

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lycaena: /laɪˈsiːnə/

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Summary

Lycaena is a diverse genus of butterflies mostly found in Holarctic regions, characterized by their small size and metallic wing overtones. They inhabit moist areas and are significant pollinators as adults.

Physical Characteristics

Small butterflies, generally large for the family. Most are tailless; upper wings are usually shades of brown and orange (occasionally gray), with metallic coppery to purplish overtones (blue only in L. heteronea). The underside is usually white to yellowish or orange with small black dots and often an orange marginal band on the hind wing. Typically have three dark spots or bars across the discal cell of the front wing below (except L. hermes and Central American L. pyrrhias which have two).

Identification Tips

Look for the presence of three dark spots or bars on the front wing's discal cell in most species, with the notable exception of L. hermes and L. pyrrhias. The bright metallic overtones in males are also a giveaway.

Habitat

Most species favor moist meadows, bogs, or similar riparian habitats where food plants grow.

Distribution

Primarily Holarctic, with a few species in Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and New Zealand.

Diet

Larvae primarily feed on a wide range of plants, mainly from the family Polygonaceae, including genera such as Rumex, Oxyria, Polygonum, Eriogonum, Muehlenbeckia. They occasionally feed on plants from Rosaceae (Dasiphora & Potentilla) and Ericaceae (Vaccinium). Adults are flower visitors.

Ecosystem Role

Avid flower visitors as adults; significant for pollination.

Evolution

The genus has had a long term, ongoing mass production of names, often based on trivial and dubious distinctions, resulting in many synonyms for both genera and species.

Similar Taxa

• Gaiedes
• Antipodolycaena

Misconceptions

The genus has often been confused in literature with many species being misattributed to various subgenera or synonyms due to the complex naming history.

Tags

• butterflies
• Holarctic
• Lycaenidae
• Lepidoptera
• pollinators