Rekoa marius

(Lucas, 1857)

Marius hairstreak

Rekoa marius, known as the Marius , is a Neotropical in the Lycaenidae. exhibit in wing coloration, with males showing dark iridescent blue uppersides and females gray. The ranges from Paraguay to northern Mexico, with occasional strays reaching southern Texas and Arizona. Larvae display complex ecological associations including myrmecophily with carpenter ants and feeding on diverse plants.

Rekoa marius by (c) pondhawk, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Illustrations of diurnal Lepidoptera 50 by William Chapman Hewitson . Used under a Public domain license.Illustrations of diurnal Lepidoptera 42 by William Chapman Hewitson . Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rekoa marius: /rɛˈkoʊ.a ˈmɑː.ri.əs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Rekoa by combination of male dark iridescent blue upperside, female gray upperside, and orange eyespot on hindwing near tail. In southern Texas and Arizona, it is the only Rekoa species present. Similar hairstreaks in the region may be separated by tail and eyespot coloration.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 22–32 mm. Male upperside dark iridescent blue; female upperside gray. Hindwing bears orange eyespot near tail. Larvae exhibit cryptic polychromatism with variable epithelial coloration.

Habitat

Disturbed tropical areas. Larvae found on inflorescences and foliage of plants including cultivated settings.

Distribution

Paraguay north to Sonora, Mexico. Strays recorded in southern Texas and Arizona. Confirmed larval records from Panama and Brazil (Alagoas).

Seasonality

probably on wing year-round in Mexico. In southern Texas, one period with adults active September to December.

Diet

feed on flower nectar. Larvae feed on flower buds (all instars); final instar additionally consumes green and ripe fruits. Recorded plants include Acalyma wilkesiana, Averrhoa carambola, legumes, and malpighias.

Host Associations

  • Acalyma wilkesiana - plantLarvae found on inflorescences and foliage
  • Averrhoa carambola - plantLarvae feed on flower buds and fruits; first record for this
  • legumes - plantLarval food plant
  • malpighias - plantLarval food plant
  • Camponotus lindigi - mutualismCarpenter ants tend larvae; myrmecophilic association with tending preferences influenced by larval feeding
  • Tenuipetiolus sp. - Eurytomid attacks pupal stages; first report of lepidopteran for this

Life Cycle

deposited on flower buds, inflorescences, and peduncles near flowers. Larvae pass through multiple instars, with final instar expanding diet to include fruits. occurs with egress holes sometimes present in pupae.

Behavior

Larvae exhibit myrmecophily, forming mutualistic associations with carpenter ants. tending is influenced by larval feeding activity. Larvae display cryptic polychromatism, with epithelial color changes serving as protective strategy.

Ecological Role

Herbivore of reproductive structures and fruits of plants. Prey for . Participant in mutualistic -plant-herbivore interactions.

Human Relevance

Potential model organism for studying physiological mechanisms of oxalic acid , given plants in Oxalidaceae. Occasional stray into southern United States may attract observers.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Rekoa speciesR. marius distinguished by male iridescent blue coloration and geographic distribution; other in have different color patterns and ranges
  • Other Theclinae hairstreaksOrange hindwing eyespot near tail and specific tail help distinguish R. marius from sympatric

More Details

Oxalic acid tolerance

Association with Oxalidaceae (Averrhoa carambola) suggests potential physiological to oxalic acid, offering research opportunities

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Thecla marius by Lucas in 1857; later transferred to Rekoa

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Sources and further reading