The Gossamer-winged Butterflies
This family of butterflies (Lycaenidae) is a large family of butterflies worldwide. It consists of small butterflies with sheer, delicate wings, hence the common name for the family-Gossamer-wings. Subfamilies of the Gossamer-wings which have representives flying in our area are the Harvesters (Miletinae) , the Hairstreaks (Theclinae), and the Blues (Polyommatinae).
The
Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) The Harvester, a.k.a. the
"Wanderer", is the only butterfly which is a dedicated predator. The
caterpillars prey on Woolly Aphids. In the North Central Florida area this is primarily
the Woolly Maple Aphids (Neoprociphilus aceris), which is hosted by various greenbriar
(smilex) species. With very short proboscis, adult Harvesters do not nectar, but instead
they feed on aphid honeydew, mud, sap, dung, and carrion.
Subfamily: Miletinae
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History-not available
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Harvester perching in a sunny patch in woods near Newnan's Lake.
Perching Harvesters near Newnan's Lake.
Harvester perching on greenbriar.
Left: Harvester ovipositing eggs on greenbriar near Woolly Aphids. Right: eggs on
greenbriar near Woolly Aphids
Left: Woolly Maple Aphids on greenbriar. Right: Harvester chrysalis.
Left: Paynes Prairie Harvester caterpillar near Woolly Aphids. Right: Newnan's Lake Cats
Fresh Holiday Season Harvester at Newnan's Lake-December 15, 2007
Harvester caterpillars discovered in aphid colony and in leaf litter on December 22 at
Marmaduke Pond
