Michaelus
Nicolay, 1979
Michaelus is a of lycaenid established by Nicolay in 1979, restricted to the . The genus comprises small butterflies whose have been documented feeding on flowers of Fabaceae, particularly Senna . At least one species, Michaelus phoenissa, exhibits cryptic larval by concealing itself within unopened flower .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Michaelus: //mɪˈka.e.lus//
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Images
Habitat
Tropical lowland forests; documented at 533 m elevation in Peru. develop within unopened flowers of plants.
Distribution
; confirmed from Peru (Cusco region).
Diet
feed on flowers of Senna (Fabaceae).
Host Associations
- Senna alata - larval Flowers consumed by ; concealed in unopened flower
Life Cycle
develop concealed within unopened flower . Final larvae measure 1–1.5 cm in length. Rearing from larva to has been successfully completed in captivity.
Behavior
exhibit cryptic by hiding in unopened flowers, rendering them not immediately visible. The has been associated with , though specific behavioral details are not documented in available sources.
More Details
Taxonomic note
established by Nicolay in 1979. The Catalogue of Life places Michaelus in Lycaeninae.
Research limitation
Most detailed biological information derives from a single study of Michaelus phoenissa in Peru; broader -level patterns remain poorly documented.