The Myrmecophilous organs of the larvae of some British Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera): a comparative study

Abstract

Scanning electron microscope studies have been made of larvae of eight of the fifteen resident British lycaenids (including Maculinea arion). A full suite of myrmecophilous organs comprising Newcomer's organs, tentacular organs and pore cupolas, has been identified in Lysandra coridon, L. bellargus and Polyommatus icarus. M. arion possesses Newcomer's organs and pore cupolas. Quercusia quercus has pore cupolas and what may be the rudiments of tentacular organs. Strymonidia pruni and Hamearis lucina have only pore cupolas. No myrmecophilous organs were identified on larvae of Cupido minimus, but poor quality material suggests this may be artifactual. The ultrastructure of the myrmecophilous organs or their supposed homologues is described in detail. The results presented are compared with those of earlier authors for the other seven resident species of British lycaenids. The functions, homologies and possible evolutionary origins of the myrmecophilous organs are discussed.