Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 93. (Budapest 2001)

Bálint, Zs. ; Benyamini, D.: Taxonomic notes, faunistics and species descriptions of the austral South American polyommatine lycaenid genus Pseudolucia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): the chilensis and collina species-groups

Adult behaviour- Adult activity was most pronounced inside shallow gullies and over the eastern slopes of the sand dunes. In these biotopes, which were partially protected from the wind, males were flying low, up to 10 cms over ground and vegetation. In the morning, they were seen patrolling relatively small territories of 3x3 meters, with this territory expanding during the warmer noon hours. In the early afternoon, with warm temperatures, the males were patrolling and "scanning" up and down the eastern slope of the sand dunes for some 25 meters. They would land on the edge of the foodplant and make a 270 degree turn, sitting head down with slightly opened or fully closed wings, rubbing their hind wings together rapidly. Only once was a male seen sitting with wings open at 45 degrees. Males were also landing quite often on dry branches of other plants adjacent Chorizanthe which were also common in the area, some of which reach up to 10 cm above the ground. These include large spiny cushions of Adesmia littoralis (Fabaceae), Encelia oblongifolia (Asteraceae) and the prostrate white flowering Tiquilia sp. (Boraginaceae). This last plant is also a preferred nectar source and frequented by P. oraria second only to the foodplant. Two patrolling males, which intercepted one another over the slope, started to ily in tight circles of some 40-50 mms in diameter, about 10-15 cms above the foodplants until one of them finally fled. Males were also seen basking in the morning, standing perpendicular to the sun with closed wings. In the hot early afternoon hours, however, they avoided the heat by sitting parallel to the sun rays. Females were rarely seen and no mating or courtship behavior was observed. At 10:45 am a female was observed flying very low over the ground. It landed on various plants and nectared on the white flowers of the foodplant. It opened its wings several times, some 45 degrees, to bask and was photographed in this pose. However, when it was disturbed by the camera and tried to escape, it was suddenly caught in air by a passing syrphid fly. A second female was collected over the foodplant and a final female was observed fluttering 1-2 cms over a foodplant. BENYAMINI quickly put his net over the entire plant but the female disappeared into it. The females are very cryptic and seldom fly; they usually sit motionless on the sand or on dry stems with closed wings. Early stages - The known foodplants are Chorizanthe frankenioides (det. MELICA MUNOZ) or C. ramosissima. They grow up to approximately 25cm high, and some 40 cm in diameter; the flowers are white in the southern part of the plant's range and become more lilac northwards. Nine white, typical collina-\\ke, eggs where found: eight empty ones with hatching holes, and one in tact. The eggs were laid mostly on the buds and calyx but one egg was found on the trunk about 3 mm under a bud. A few buds had penetrating larval holes but no larvae were found.