Because some of the butterflies of the Gossamer Wing family have transparent, delicate wings that resemble the supple, filmy, sheer fabric known as gossamer, they are referred to as “gossamers.”
Amazing Facts
- There are over 4,750 species in the Lycaenidae family worldwide. Although some species of this family are widespread and common, several have unique habitats and are rare.
- Gossamer is a term that implies “beautiful and delicate.”
- This name for these butterflies refers to their silky, delicate wings.
- Myrmecophila is a remarkable bond that many caterpillar species develop with ants, shielding them against predators and parasites. In exchange, caterpillars provide the ants with tasty secretions made by unique glands in their abdomens.
Appearance
Adult members of this family often have banded antennae and are shorter than 5 cm. They can be brightly colored or various colors of brown or copper, and occasionally they have a metallic sheen. On their back wings, some have short tails. Males’ forelegs are often short and without claws, whilst females’ are fully formed. Larvae have a slug-like shape, are often green, and are hair-covered.
Diet
Trees, bushes, and annual legumes all serve as their primary food sources. Some species’ larvae are carnivorous and may need to eat aphid or ant larvae as part of their diet. The latter might be eaten, whereas ants extract milk-like secretions from unique glands on the butterfly larva.
Small birds and insects are this butterfly’s main predators. These animals hardly ever poison predators. Caterpillars may build nests of silk to conceal themselves or rely on ants for safety. Some adults stroke their hind wings together as they settle. Predators may become confused about where their head is as a result of focusing on their eyespots or hairstreaks on their wings.
Habitat
These butterflies can be found near the plants that they eat in a variety of terrestrial areas.
Keeping as Pet
Why don’t they become pets?
The fact that these insects are wild and that a butterfly’s life cycle is just around a month means that they cannot be kept in captivity.
If Keeping than
It’s difficult to handle as a pet.
Many different species of larvae feed on plants, frequently favoring the flowers and seeds of the host plant. The only hosts are mountain mahogany and valley oaks (Quercus lobata) (Cerocarpus betuloides).
These butterflies can be found near the plants that they eat in a variety of terrestrial areas. Adults occasionally sip nectar, although many would rather drink tree sap or puddles.
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