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
was observed on 19.IX.95 at 1200 m walking on the stems of a Chorizanthe to lay eggs. This plant had a fresh bud stem with no buds, and the "frustrated" female searched several times along the stems but did not lay any eggs. On 8.X.1995 a search by the junior author for alternate foodplant was successful; eggs and larvae where found on Montiopsis capitata (Portulacaceae). Thus, like P. collina and P. dubi, this species uses two different plants at different time periods. The first generation, which emerges in August after winter larval diapause, will lay its eggs on M. capitata. This plant, which grows upwards to about 1250 m is replaced in the second generation by C. virgata, which grows from 1250 m to the top of the pass and starts to blossom later in the season. So, the second generation, emerging in October will switch to Chorizanthe when, at lower altitudes, the Montiopsis are already too dry and without flowers. Like coastal P. benyamini this species possibly has three full broods before December and then a partial fourth brood in January/February. The adults fly low, up to ten cms. above the ground, flying higher only upon reaching taller vegetation. Adults have been observed landing on bare ground, fallen dry branches and dry stalks as well as foodplants. They usually sit with closed wings, rubbing their hind wings slowly. The males are territorial with regard to other Pseudolucia. In midday they are intensively active and difficult to approach. On one occasion, when attempting close-up photography, a male "attacked" the camera, flying directly into it and avoiding collision only at the last second, "breaking" sideways and then disappearing. Preferred nectar sources at a collection site at 1200 m elevation were the yellow-white flowered Pectocarya linearis (Boraginaceae) and the yellow flowered Gayophyton sp. (Onagraceae) (det. Prof. LUIS FAUNDEZ). Eggs, white as in other Pseudolucia, were found among the hirsute flower buds of Montiopsis capitata. The foodplant and location of eggs matches precisely that of the congener Pseudolucia collina as recorded at San José de Maipo, Southern Santiago (BENYAMINI 1995). The larvae of P. ugartei grow up to 8.5 mm; the L 4 & L 5 instars are pinkish-white with tiny white spots over the entire body. The middorsal stripe is reddish-pink; three oblique pink dashes with white margins appear on each body segment along the sub-dorsal flanks. The lower lateral stripes are white or pinkishwhite with wide pinkish dorsal margins and narrow reddish basal margins. White "hairs" occurs on both sides of the dorsal stripe and along its basal margins. The prolegs are transparent pinkish-white with the true legs pink. The head is black with the first segment dorsum showing a brown deltoid mark. A prepupa measured 7 mm long and was coloured faded pink. Pupation was upside down under the paper covering the bottom of the rearing box. The pupa was 6.5 mm in length. The head was light brown, the thorax and wing cases greenish-brown; there was a mid-dorsal reddish-brown abdominal stripe and subdorsal abdominal reddish-brown spots. A few scattered white, and very short, "hairs" were observable
