title: Larval biology of anthophagous Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) in the cerrado of central Brazil.
abstract: The biology and morphology of the early stages of 22 species of Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae, Theclinae) are presented. Observations were collected through the inspection of inflorescences in the field and the rearing of 214 larvae in laboratory. Allosmaitia strophius (Godart) associated with Malpighiaceae species and the polyphagous Strymon mulucha (Hewitson) were the most frequently collected species. Detritivory was observed in two species, Electrostrymon endymion (F.) and Kisutam syllis (Godman & Salvin), and myrmecophily in four other species, A. strophius, Ministrymon azia (Hewitson), Parrhasius polibetes (Stoll), and S. mulucha. Cannibalism was observed in A. strophius; in addition, the pupa of this and of three other species produced audible sounds. Paiwarria aphaca (Hewitson) was highlighted because of the great difference observed between its first and last instars, as well as the marked difference between that species and the larvae of Paiwarria umbratus (Geyer) documented in Costa Rica. Larvae of Calycopis mimas (Godman & Salvin) displayed "bungee jumping" behavior when stimulated. Parasitoids (Diptera, Hymenoptera) attacked 21 larvae of eight species, A. strophius, K. syllis, M. azia, Pai. aphaca, P. polibetes, Rekoa marius (Lucas), S. mulucha, and Tmolus venustus (H.H. Druce). Illustrations of immatures and parasitoids are provided.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil neuzaaps@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Neuza A P
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazaré 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliezer B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Helena C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Morais
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002080:Butterflies / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development; D065948:Grassland; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011679:Pupa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
keywords: cannibalism; caterpillar; detritivory; inflorescences; morphology