Association of three species of Strymon Hubner (Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Eumaeini) with bromeliads in southern Brazil

Abstract

As part of a project studying the species richness of bromeliad flower visitors and the diversity and nature of their animal-plant interactions, three species of the lycaenid butterfly genus Strymon were recorded as pests of bromeliad inflorescences. Strymon ziba fed on the fruits of Aechmea nudicaulis, S. oreaki on those of Ae. lindenii and Ae. caudata and S. serapio on the dry capsules of Vriesea friburgensis. The caterpillars of 5. zAfland S. oreala, pests t)f cultivated pineapple, were facultatively associated with ants. One S. ziba pupa was parasitized by a chalcidid wasp. One S. oreala pupa was parasitized by an ichneumonid wasp. BehaGoiir and life history data of the caterpillars are described and aspects of the host specificity of the lycaenids and potential pest control by parasitoid wasps are discussed.