Hypochrysops byzos

Hypochrysops byzos (Boisduval, 1832)
Yellow Spot Jewel
LUCIINI , THECLINAE , LYCAENIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 2 July 2008)

(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The Caterpillar of this species is flattened and has a corrugated appearance. It is coloured green with a pale dorsal band and darker mottled markings. It usually rests on a silk pad on a leaf of its foodplant.

(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The Caterpillar has been found feeding on :

Rulingia salviifolia ( STERCULIACEAE ),

Brush Kurrajong ( Commersonia fraseri, STERCULIACEAE ),

Cotoneaster Pomaderris ( Pomaderris cotoneaster, RHAMNACEAE ),

Hazel Pomaderris ( Pomaderris aspera, RHAMNACEAE ),

Rusty Pomaderris ( Pomaderris ferruginea, RHAMNACEAE ),

Pomaderris elliptica ( RHAMNACEAE ),

Pomaderris intermedia ( RHAMNACEAE ),

Pomaderris andromedifolia ( RHAMNACEAE ),

Pomaderris lanigera ( RHAMNACEAE ), and

Pomaderris eriocephala ( RHAMNACEAE ).

pupa
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

It pupates under a leaf of its food plant. The pupa is green and spotty, and about 1.3 cms. long.

pupa
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The adult males are metallic blue on top with black wing margins. They have two small orange spots on the tail of each hind wing.

male
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The adult females are dark brown on top with an orange blotch on each wing.

female
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The undersurfaces of the wings of both sexes are similar: yellow with orange bands outlined in metallic green. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

male, underside
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)

The eggs of this species are white, round, flattened, ridged and pitted. They have a diameter of about 0.8 mm. They are usually laid singly under leaves of a foodplant.

The species occurs in southern Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

female, underside
(Photo: courtesy of Bob Miller and Ian Hill)