Lycaeninae
Large Copper ( Lycaena dispar ), ♂
The Lycaeninae are a very large subfamily of Lycaenidae ( Lycaenidae ). They are used worldwide with about 4000 species in 500 genera before and thus contain two -thirds of all Bläulingsarten. Some subfamilies previously used, such as the Polyommantinae or Theclinae were incorporated as a tribe within the Lycaeninae. In Europe, 136 species are endemic, 58 of which are also found in Central Europe.
Features
The presumed autapomorphies characterizing the subfamilies, the existing in many species little " tail " as extensions of the wing vein CuA2. Though lacking in some species this feature at this but the close relationship to the tailed species is indisputable. The hind wings are moved circularly in some species at rest, which should lure predators in combination with the tail to attack this supposed head of the animals. Some types of Charaxinae (about Charaxes jasius ) and dice butterfly ( Riodininae ) move their hind wings as well, but the movements are different from those of Lycaeninae.
The caterpillars have glands that can weed out honeydew. The species of the tribe Lycaenini and Theclini have this not, but it is believed that they were re-formed in the course of time.
Way of life
The caterpillars eat the Lycaeninae total on a very wide range of food plants, many of them belong to the subclass of the rose -like ( Rosidae). But there are a number of species that feed on predators, such as plant lice, at least in some stages of development. Many live myrmekophil with or ants or their brood. There are a number of species that occur as pests on flowers, fruits or seeds, such as the entrained in Europe geraniums Blue ( Cacyreus marshalli ).