Memoirs of Museum Victoria 57(2): 25 1 259 (1999) A NEW SPECIES OF OGYRIS ANGAS (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) FROM SOUTHERN ARID AUSTRALIA R. P, I'M I I) Museum Victoria, PO Box 666E, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia (rfield@mov.vic.gov.au) Abstract Field, R.I'., 1999. A new species of Ogyris Angas (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from southern arid Australia. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 57: 251 25 l ). Ogyris subter res tr is Sp. nov. is described with the nominal subspecies 0, s. subterrestris ssp. iiov. from northwestern Victoria and the subspecies Ogyris subterrestris petr'ma ssp. nov. horn near kalgoorlie. Western Australia. Adults, male and female genitalia, ami lust inslar larvae are figured and characters to distinguish adults and larvae of Ogyris subterrestris from O. idmo Hcwitson are discussed. Introduction The genus Ogyris Angas, is an Australasian genus in the tribe Ogyrini (Eliot, 1973; Edwards, 1996). There are 15 described species in the genus, 12 occurring in Australia and three in Papua New Guinea. Of the Australian species, the larvae of ten are known to feed on mistletoes (Loranthaeeac), and one feeds on the root para- sitic plants in the genera ( 'lioivliimi and teptomeria (Santalaeeae). The remaining species is Ogyris idmo (Hcwitson), the largest and one of the rarest species in the genus. The life history of this species is unknown but the larvae are pre- sumed to be predatory on ants (field, 1997). Many species of Ogyris have an obligatory asso- ciated with ants whereas the others have a facul- tative relationship. For species in which the life history is known, these associations arc presumed to be mutual istic. By day the larvae shelter with the ants in crevices, under bark or underground, emerging at night with ants in attendance, to Iced. The larvae will usually pupate in these same or sheltered sites nearby. Populations of O. idmo show differing wing colours and patterns, and morphologically (wing shape, antenna! segments) it is a very variable species. II has been collected from western Victoria, southern South Australia, and southwestern Western Australia, from Cape And National Park to near (ieraldton. lew specimens have been recorded outside Western Australia since I95() but recently the species has been locally common near Perth, and at (ape Arid National Park (field. 1990, 1992) and it has been rediscovered in South Australia (I hint et al., 1998). Specimens from Mildura (Victoria), Broken Hill (New South Wales) and near Kalgoorlie (Western Australia), initially incor- porated within the 0. idmo complex, are here described as a new species of Ogyris with two new subspecies. Material examined is stored in Museum Victoria, Melbourne (NMV), South Australian Museum, Adelaide (SAM), Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra (ANIC), Australian Museum (AM), Natural History Museum London (BMNII) and the private collec- tions of the author (RPfC), R. May (RIIC), M. Moore (MMC), and B.I I. Vardy (Bl IVC). Key to females of Ogyris idmo (Hcwitson) group Upperside of forewing with 2 black bars at proximal end of postmedian cream patch and with subapical region to distal end of postmedian cream patch dark brown O. suhlcrrcstris sp. nov. ... 2 Upperside of forewing with black patch at proximal end of postmedian cream patch and with subapical region to distal end of postmedian cream patch black &■ idmo ... 3 251 252 KIMIIil.l) Upperside of forcwing with postmedian cream palch regular, oval, often faint and small; uppersidc of hindwing with central blue patch extending anteriorly to M, and reaching base O. siibterrestris subtetrestris ssp. nov. (figs I, 2) Uppersidc of forcwing with postmedian cream patch irregular, distinctly divided by M-, farming a small faint cream patch distally between M^ and CuA ( ; uppersidc of hindwing with central blue patch not extending anteriorly to M ( and not reaching base O. siibterrestris petrinu ssp. nov. (figs 5, 6) 3. Uppersidc of wings brown with broad basal area bright blue or bluish-purple and extending to postmedian cream patch on the forcwing 4 Uppersidc of wings brown with broad basal area purple but not extending to postmedian cream palch on the forcwing O. idmo idmo (figs 9, 1 0) 4. Uppersidc of wings with broad basal area bluish-purple O. idmo halmaturia (figs 13, 14) Uppersidc of wings with basal area bright blue O. idmo (Mi Ragged form) (figs 17, 18) Key to males of Ogyrls idmo (Hewitson) group I. Forcwing with Icrmen at right angles to inner margin; upperside of wings with fine black line at termen O. suhterrestris sp. nov. ... 2 Forcwing with termen obtuse to inner margin; uppersidc of wings with nar- row black band to termen q idmo 3 Uppersidc of wings predominantly bluish-purple with strong bronze sheen to brown marginal areas; underside of hindwing with well defined markings, the grey patches contrasting the black-edged brown patches • O. siibterrestris siibterrestris ssp. nov. (figs 3, 4) Uppersidc of wings predominantly brownish-purple without strong bronze sheen to brown marginal areas; underside of hindwing with poorly defined brown markings and without contrasting grey patches O. siibterrestris petrina ssp. nov. (figs 7, 8) 3. Forcwing termen convex O. idmo halmaturia (figs 15, 16) Forcwing termen straight 4 Upperside of (brewings brownish-purple (). idmo idmo (figs II, 12) Uppersidc of forcwings dark purple. O. idmo (Mt Ragged form) (figs 19' 20) Ogprts siibterrestris sp. nov. Although a female specimen of O. idmo in the Types. Sec types of nominal subspecies. Natural History Museum has the word "type" on a label, Hewitson (1862) described the species Diagnosis. Females with upperside of (brewing from two (female) specimens. The syntype (male) with 2 black bars at proximal end of postmedian of 0. halmaturia (Tepper) is in the South Aus- ercam patch and with subapieal region distal to Italian Museum and has been examined. Tepper cream patch dark brown, males with termen at (1890) described the species from three speci- right angles to inner margin and upperside of mens, two small specimens being the males and a forcwing with fine black line at termen and with larger specimen, which he believed to be the faint to strong bronze sheen to brown areas; first female. 1 lowever, the latter was a male and the instar larvae with a pair of prominent mesotho- smaller specimens were male O. otanes (C. Felder rack dorsal spines and a pair of long, posteriorly and R. Felder). Waterhousc ( 1 903a) synonymised curved dorsal spines on each of abdominal part of halmaturia (presumably referring to the segments 6 and 7. large male) with (). idmo and part with O. otanes. , ™ ... Waterhouse (1903b) later synonymised halma- Remarks. The syntypic series of O. idmo and the turia with otanes and made no mention of hal- holotype ol O. orontas (Hewitson) (male), a maturia under idmo. Tepper's female (the large junior subjective synonym of <9. idmo, arc held in male) is the first specimen described and thus the Natural History Museum, London. Colour halmaturia can be synonymised with idmo but images ol these specimens have been examined. not also with otanes. This specimen is thus 4. A NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLY OF THE GENUS OGYRIS 253 designated the lectotype of O. halmaluria and is so labelled. 0. waterhouseri (Bethune- Baker) was described, but not figured, from Victoria (Bethune-Baker, 1905) and subsequently figured, synonym ised and treated as a subspecies of O. kimo by Waterhouse and Lyell ( 1914). 0. water- houseri has generally been treated as a junior sub- jective synonym of 0. i. halmaluria (Common and Waterhouse, 1981) but both McCubbin (1971) and D'Abrera (1971) retained water- humeri as a distinct subspecies. This paper recog- nises waterhouseri as a junior subjective syn- onym of halmaturia. The type series of 0. waterhouseri could not be located but presum- ably consisted of one female and at least two males (based on size ranges given in the descrip- tion). The original description, which highlighted the "strongly arched" termen, Waterhouse and Lycll's figuring of the species along with locality data, clearly separates. O. waterhouseri from O. suhterresiris sp. nov. Etymology. Sub- and terrestris (Latin), under- ground, referring to the larval and pupal stages thought to be completely subterranean. Ogyris subterrestris subterrestris ssp. nov. Figures 1^1 types. Holotype: female. Pink Lakes, Murray-Sunset NP, 15 km N Lima, Victoria, 35 n 03.45'S, 142°43.I3'E, 20.X.1996, R.P. Field (NMV T-17264). Paratypes (all Victoria): 1 male, same data as holo- type (NMV T- 1 7265); 1 female. 150 m NW of Ring Road at 1 km NNE of junction with Grub Tk, Pink Lakes, Murray-Sunset NP, F. Noelker. 1 8. ii. 1996 (NMV T- 1 7267); II males, 2 females, same data as holotype; 1 male. Pink Lakes, Murray-Sunset NP. 15 km N of Lima, 12.iv.1996, R.P. Field (RPFC); 1 female, Mildura 16.x. 1972, B. H. Vardy, I male, Mil- dura, 26.x. 1972, B. H. Vardy (AN1C); 1 male, 2 females, Mildura, 26.x. 1972, B. II. Vardy (BHVC). Oilier material examined. Victoria: I female, Lake Waltah, xi. 1918, F.R. Spry, (i.A. Waterhouse Collec- tion (AM KL2021I). New South Wales: 1 male. Broken Hill, xii.1912 (NMV LLP 6272). South Australia: 1 female, Koonibba Mission, nr Ceduna; I male, Loxton, 1986, Hudson (SAM); 1 male, 7.5 km NW Ramco, 13.x. 1993, 34°07'38"S, I39 U 53'22"H, P.J. Peile; 3 females, 7.5 km NW Ramco, 34"07'38"S, 139°53'22"F„ 12.iii.l994, R.P. Field; 1 male. 1 female. 7.5 km NW Ramco, I3.iii.1994, R.P. Field; I female 7.5 km NW Ramco, 34°07'38"S, 139°53'22"E. 14.iii.l994, R.P. Field; 4 males, 3 females, 7.5 km NW Ramco, 34°07'38"S, I39°53'22"E, 30.x. 1994, R.P. Field (all RPFC); 1 female, lO.v.1992, Qualco; 1 female, 1911993, Qualco;4malcs, I female, 25. ii. 1993, Qualco; I female 26. ii. 1993, Qualco; 2 males, I9.iii.]993, Qualco; I female, 20.iii.1993. Qualco: I female, 20.iv.1993, Qualco; 1 female. 28.ix.1993, Qualco; I male, 2.x. 1 993, Qualco (all MMC). Description. Female, (figs 1,2). Antennal length (of holotype) 7.1 mm. fiagellum 37 segments, brown and bronze with segmental bands narrowly banded black with lateral white scales; club short, apically broad, rounded, tipped orange. Head, pal- pus, thorax and abdomen dorsally brown with white scales, ventrally white with brown scales; legs speckled brown and while; ventral surface ol head, thorax, base of abdomen, all of coxae with long white hair scales; dorsal surface of thorax with long bronze hair scales. All tibiae of equal length, first and third femora equal length of tib- iae, mid femur much longer than tibiae. Forewing length (of holotype) 2 1 .0 mm, apex weakly acute, rounded, termen slightly convex; above central area from base to subterminal area and from sub- costal area to inner margin royal blue, remaining areas and veins browny bronze except for narrow black bar proximal to discocellulars, wide black bar dislal to discocellulars between M, and M, proximally edging a postmedian cream patch between M-, and M-, which extends faintly towards M| and CuA,. Hindwing termen crenated convex; above central area from base to subtermi- nal area and from M| to CuA 2 royal blue, remain- ing areas, veins and bands at discocellulars browny bronze, long tan hair scales throughout cell and from base to termen at CuA, and to inner margin. Cilia of both wings white, browny bronze at veins. Beneath forewing base colour grey, dark brown cell, extending to basal fifth of area between M, and M 3 , basal third of M, to CuA,, basal quarter of CuAi to CuA-,, and circular brown patch between junction of cubitus and CuA| and I A + 2A narrowly edged near 1 A i 2A with white and iridescent blue scales; cell with 2 iridescent light blue bands 1 median band from proximal end of Rs to base of CuA,, the other subbasal parallel to radius with bend towards cubitus dislally; 2 fine white inner subbasal lines between radius and cubitus; prominent post- median cream band extending from M | to nearly CuAj slightly stepped towards termen between M-, and CuA,; broad subterminal brown band from costa to CuA,, twice as wide at costa than at CuA| edged dark brown; prominent while scales in subcostal, subapical and apical areas. Ilmd- wing base colour grey with irregular brown or white patches edged dark brown; 2 subbasal dark brown lines, between costa and Sc t R, subparal- lel to basal Sc 4 R| then bending back to costa 254 R.P. FIELD m A NEW SPECIES OK BUTTERFLY OF THE GENUS OGYRIS 255 CuA| to CuA 2 dark brown lines between Rs and M,, M subparallel to mid Se ■+ R, and between Sc i R ( and cubitus displaced towards termen between Sc + Rj and radial sector; submedian lines dark brown from Sc + R| to cubitus (2), radial sector to mid cell, cubitus (nearly) to anal vein; median lines from Sc + Rl to Rs (2), Rs to M,, M, to M 3 (2) 1 either side of discocellulars, M, to CuA, a 1 A+2A to anal vein; postmedian and M 3 (2), dark brown edged v markings between M 3 and CuA| and CuAj and CuA,; brown areas basal fifth of M-, to CuA| extending proximally into cell, basal quarter of CuA, to CuA-, extending proximally into cell and spot distal to junction of CuA, and CuA-, between CuA 2 and 1A + 2 A edged dark brown; costa and termen edged dark brown. Genitalia (Fig. 21 ); Apophyses anteriores long, slender; papillae anales broadly acute, setose; ostium bursae broad, weakly sclerotised; ductus bursae not sclerotised, membranous, broad, mod- erately long, expanding to rounded, membranous corpus bursae. Male, (figs 3, 4). Antenna! length 6.6-8.3 mm (mean 7.6 mm, n=20), flagellum 34 — 4 1 segments (mean 38, n=20). Colour of head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen and legs similar to female. Forewing length 19.5-23.5 (mean 21.7 mm, n=20), apex acute, termen straight or slightly con- cave, above similar to female but without post- median cream patch and darker purple blue; remaining areas, veins and narrow band at disco- cellulars bronze, llindwing above similar to female but darker purple blue central area and bronze submarginal areas; beneath similar to female (holotype) but postmedian cream band of forewing more grey and median iridescent light blue band in cell often broader, subbasal irides- cent band often more extensive forming a cross and an additional narrow basal iridescent band in cell; subterminal brown band narrower than in female but extending past CuA| often to CuA,. Genitalia (fig. 22): Vinculum+tegumen ring oval, saccus small, blunt; uncus lobes narrow, bases close dorsally, setae numerous, brachia long, U-shaped, curved laterally inwards, broad basally tapering to a blunt point; valva broadly tri- angular, numerous long setae on posterior margin concentrated near dorsal and ventral regions; juxta prominent, v-shaped; acdeagus long, straight, basal fifth swollen, zone broad; post- zonal sheath length longer than half the pre-zonal sheath, broad, displaced ventrally near base with cornuti well developed near zone, apically round. Variation. Female, size of the cream spot on the forewing varies from almost absent to a small patch; fiagellum 36-44 segments (mean 39, n=20), length 6.8-8.3 mm (mean 7.7 mm, n=20), wing length 20-25.5 mm (mean 22.7 mm, n=20). Distribution. In Victoria the subspecies occurs in the Murray Sunset National Park, near Linga and was recorded from Mildura. in October 1972 (B. Vardy collection), A single specimen was recorded from Broken Hill, New South Wales, in December 1912 (Museum Victoria). In South Australia it occurs locally in a small remnant roadside strip of mallee vegetation, near Ramco, (Moore, 1999) and has also been recorded near Loxton and near Ceduna. Ogyris subterrestris petrina ssp. nov. Figures 5-8 Types. Holotype: female. Western Australia: female. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie. 12. xi. 1989, R.P. Field (NMVT-17268). Paratypes: I male. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kal- goorlie, 4.x. 1991, R.P. Field (NMV T-17269). I male, I female, Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, l.ii.1982, A.. I. Graham 12 males, 3 females, Lake Dou- glas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie. 1 6.x. 1986. A.J. Graham; 4 females, Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 17.x. 1986, A. J. Graham; I male. Lake Douglas, Kalgo- orlie. 22.xi.199l, L. R. Ring, (all ANIC); 1 female. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 5.x. 1987, R.P. Field; 3 males. 5 females, Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 6.x. 1987, R.P. Field; 2 males, Lake Dou- glas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 7.x. 1987, R.P. Field; 1 male, 1 female. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoor- lie. 9.xii.l9S9, R.P. Field; 2 males, Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, 10.xii.1989, R.P. Field; 3 males. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW of Kalgoorlie, ll.xii.1989, R.P. Field; 2 males, 4 females, Lake Douglas, 12 km Figures 1-4, Ogyris subterrestris subterrestris ssp. nov. 1 , 2, holotype female upperside and underside; 3, 4, paratype male upperside and underside. Figures 5 -8, Ogyris subterrestris petrina ssp. nov. 5, 6, holotype female upperside and underside; 7, 8, paratype male upperside and underside. Figures 9-12, Ogyris idmo idmo. 9, 10, female upperside and underside; II, 12, male upperside and under- side. Figures 13-16, Ogyris idmo. Halmaturia. 13, 14, female upperside and underside; 15, 16, male upperside and underside. Figures 17-20, Ogyris idmo (Ml Ragged form). 17, 18, female upperside and underside; 19, 20, male upper- side and underside. Scale lines 1 mm. 256 R.P. FIELD SW of Kalgoorlic, 12.xii.198y, R.P. Field; 1 female, Lake Douglas. 12 km SW of Kalgoorlic, 3.x. 199 1, R.P. Field; 2 males, 2 females. Lake Douglas, 12 km SW oT Kalgoorlic, 4.X.1991, R.P. Field, (all RPFC); I female. 13.xii.l986, R. II. (WAM 96/177); 2 males, 1 female, 14.xii.1986, R.H. (WAM 96/175, 96/176, 96/178); I female. Lake Douglas, 30.xi.l985, R.H.' 1 male. Kal- goorlic I4.xii.1986, R.IL; I male. Lake Douglas, 28.ii.l988, R.H.; 1 female, Lake Douglas, 3.x. 1991, R. II.; 4 males. Lake Douglas, 4.x. 1991, R.IL; 1 female, Lake Douglas. 5.x. 199 1, R. FL; 2 males. 2 females, Lake Douglas, 6.x. 1 99 1, R.H.; 1 male, Lake Douglas, 8.x. 1991, R. H.j I male, Kalgoorlic, 9.x. 1991. R.H. (all RHC). Other material examined. Western Australia: I female, S. W. Australia, Kalgoorlic district, W. Subi- aeo. 23.x. 191 I. W.J. Brooks (BMNH). Description. Female, (figs 5, 6). Antcnnal length (of holotypc) 7.9 mm, flagellum 41 segments, brown and bronze with segmental bands narrowly banded black with lateral white scales; club short, apically broad, rounded, tipped orange. Head, palpus, thorax and abdomen dorsally brown with while scales, ventrally white with brown scales; legs speckled brown and white; ventral surface of head, thorax, base of abdomen, all of coxae with long white hair scales; dorsal surface of thorax with long bronze hair scales. All tibiae of equal length, first and third femora equal length of tibiae, mid femur much longer than tibiae. Forewing length (of holotypc) 21.0 mm. apex weakly acute, rounded, termen slightly convex; above central area from base to median area in cell and subterminal area at CuAj and from sub- costal area to inner margin purple blue; discocel- lulars and veins browny bronze, remaining areas, brown with scattered browny bronze scales except for narrow brown black bar proximal to discocellulars and a narrow brown black bat- distal to discocellulars between Mj and M, prox- imal ly edging a large postmedian cream patch between Ml and M3 which extends faintly towards C'uAl. Hindwing termen crenated con- vex: above central area from base to subterminal area and from M 2 to CuA, purple blue, discocel- lulars and veins browny bronze, remaining areas, brown with scattered browny bronze scales, long tan hair scales throughout cell and from base to termen at CuA, and to inner margin. Cilia of both wings white, brown at veins. Beneath forewing base colour grey with dark brown cell, extending to basal sixth of area between M, and M v basal quarter of M, to CuA,, basal third of CuA, to CuA,, cell wfth median iridescent light blue patch and 2 iridescent light blue bands 1 sub-medial and I subbasal, 2 fine white inner subbasal lines between radius and cubitus; prominent post- median cream band extending from M, to nearly CuAj slightly stepped towards termen between M3 and CuA t ; broad subterminal brown band from costa to midway between CuA, and CuAj, twice as wide at costa as at CuA, edged dark brown; prominent white scales in subcostal, sub- apical and subterminal areas. Hindwing base colour grey and flecked with white scales with irregular brown lines; 2 subbasal dark brown lines, between the costa and Sc + Rj and back to costa subparallel to basal Sc + R, and between radial sector and cubitus, subbasal brown ring between anal vein and inner margin; submedian dark brown lines between Sc + R, and radial sector (2), radial sector and cubitus (2). cubitus to I A+2A; median dark brown lines from Sc + R, to Rs (2), Mj to M 3 (2) 1 cither side of discocellu- lars, I A+2A to anal vein median dark brown rings (3), in cell half the width of the cell at the base of CuA,, between M 3 and CuA, and between CuA, and CuA-,, median brown spot distal to junction of CuA 1 and CuA, between CuA, and I A + 2 A; postmedian dark brown lines Rs to M|(2 ), M, to M, (2). M, to CuA,, CuA, to CuA-,, CuA-, to 1 A~+2A; termen edged dark brown. Mate, (figs 7, 8). Antennal length 7.3-8.5 mm (mean 8.1. mm, n=19), flagellum 37-43 segments (mean 40, n=20) colour of head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen and legs similar to female. Forewing length 21.5 24.5 mm (mean 23.4 mm, n-19), apex acute, termen straight or slightly con- cave, above similar to female but without post- median cream patch and central area browny purple. Hindwing above similar to female but central area browny purple and browny bronze submarginal areas; beneath similar to female but postmedian cream band of forewing more grey and iridescent light blue bands in cell often broader; subterminal brown band narrower than in female but extending past CuA, often to CuA-,. Etymology, Petra and -ina (Latin), small rock, upon which females will sometimes oviposit; also the name of my wife. Variation. Female, flagellum 39-43 segments (mean 41, n=20), length 6.8-8.6 mm (mean 8.3 mm. n=18), wing length 22-25 mm (mean 22.7, n=18). Distribution. Western Australia, Ogyri$ suh/er- restris petrina is known only from a few square kilometres to the north cast of Lake Douglas, near Kalgoorlie Biology The life history of (). subterrestris is largely unknown. It is associated with the sugar ant Camponotus terebrans (Lowne), the same species A NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLY OF THE GENUS 06YRIS 257 that is associated with all populations of O. idmo and O. atones (C. and R. Folder) (MeArthurct al., 1997). O. suhterrestris has been recorded every month from September to May with peak flight activity in mid-spring and late summer and is probably bivoltine at all locations. Near Waikeric and at Pink Lakes males fly low in open grassland and on nearby ridges whereas females generally fly close to the trees where the ant nests occur. At Kalgoorlie. the butterflies are sparse but have def- inite flight paths and often exhibit lull-topping and individuals, particularly males, fly to the tops of small rises and settle on the ground. Females are also often found on these rises. The eggs are laid close to the ground at or in the entrance to the ants 1 nest usually on the bark of trees or occasionally on small stones. At most locations the trees are mallee euealypls. Eucalyptus concinna Maiden & Blakely near Kalgoorlie (Field, 1992), E. oleosa F. MuelL, E. foeeunda Schauer, and E. pileata Blakely but also exotic garden eucalypts and Myoporum platycarpum R. Br. near Waikeric, South Aus- tralia (Moore, 1999) and E. largiflorens F. Muell. at Mildura, Victoria. At the type location only one egg has been found (on a mallee eucalypti although ant nests are abundant, occurring at the base of many plants, not only eucalypts. At Lake Douglas in 1991. ant nests at the base of 50 randomly chosen E. concinna trees were examined. Egg clusters of O. suhterrestris were found on 18 trees with 26 clusters present, four of which were unhatched. Egg shells seem to remain attached to the bark for several years. The cluster size averaged 7.S eggs (range 2-20) with 1 1% of the eggs parasitised. In 1989 an encyrtid wasp (Ooencyrtus sp.) was reared from one cluster of eggs (Field, 1990). Captive females readily oviposit on stones and bark taken from the entrance of ant nests, producing clusters of 40 or more eggs if left undisturbed. Nearly 90% of the eggs laid in the field were in the northern to west- em quarter of the tree. However, the entrances to the ant nest seemed to be well distributed around the base of the tree and averaged 7.2 holes/tree (range 1-18). Female butterflies that were caged over ant nests readily oviposited, but only between 1145 h and 1300 h, when the sun was shining on the northwestern sector of the base of the tree. During this period the ants, which are predominantly nocturnal, exhibit little activity above ground. If disturbed during the day the ants will leave the nest and attack intruders. It is likely that the butterflies oviposit during periods when the sun is shining on the base of the tree and the ants have retreated further underground. This enables the females to back into the nest entrances to oviposit undisturbed. Near Waikeric, hundreds of old eggs occur on some trees with few eggs showing evidence of parasitism. Newly hatched larvae are carried in the mandibles of ants or walk into the ant nest where larval growth and pupation occurs. The first instar larvae of O. suhterrestris (Fig. 23) has morpho- logical differences from O. idtno idmo (Fig. 24). suhterrestris has two pairs of dorsal posteri- orly curving abdominal spines, a pair on segment 6 and on segment 7. A smaller pair of dorsal spines also occurs on the mesothorax, These spines do not occur on second instar larvae. There are no spines on first instar O. idmo, but numer- ous long hairs occur on the lateral margin of the abdomen and thorax and there are numerous clubbed secondary setae on the thorax and abdomen. As with (). idmo, the larval food is unknown. The larvae and pupae are thought to be totally subterranean and probably have an obliga- tory association with C. terebrans. Adult pinned specimens of (1 idmo and O. suhterrestris often develop greasy wings, a feature commonly occur- ring in lycaenids that are known to have predatory larvae (Sands, 1980). Discussion A female specimen of (). suhterrestris suhter- restris in the AM and labelled Lake Waltah, a nonexistent location, and bearing the name F. R. Spry, is most likely incorrectly labelled but may refer to Lake llattah, a location between the two known Victorian locations of the species. Spry's diaries (held in the NMV) do not indicate that he travelled in northwestern Victoria during November 1918, hence he probably labelled this specimen with misinterpreted data from the collector. Braby et al. (1997) proposed a common name for this species of Mallee Bronze Azure. Flow- ever, there are records of O. suhterrestris suhter- restris from mallee and non-mallee areas (Broken 1 fill, NSW. Mildura, Vie and near Ceduna, SA) and O. idmo, both the western and eastern popu- lations, also occurs in mallee vegetation as well as heathland. A more appropriate common name would therefore be Arid Bronze Azure, reflecting the more arid climatic regions in which the species is found in comparison to O. idmo (Field, 1997). Most colonies of O, suhterrestris occur in dis- turbed areas. The colony at Lake Douglas occurs within a public recreation area that can be sub- jected to significant human interference with numerous vehicle tracks crossing the main breed- ing areas. In some years, since its first discovery 258 R.I'. i-ifi.d 22 igures 21, 22. Genitalia of Ogyris subterrestris subterrestris sp. nov.: 21, female; 22, male. 23 Figures 23, 24. First instar larvae of Ogyris: 23, 0. subterrestris sp. nov.; 24, O. idmo idmo. Scale line 1 mm. A NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLY OF THE GENUS OGYRIS 259 in the early 1980s, the butterflies have been com- mon, but few specimens have been seen since 1991 (Field, 1997). Near Waikerie, citrus orchards and vineyards surround the breeding area. These crops arc regularly sprayed with pes- ticide during flight periods of the butterfly. Adults fly commonly in the adjoining farmland as well as in the breeding area and a nearby ridge. The only known extant location of 0. stihterrcsttis in Victoria is the type location in the Murray Sunset National Park. This relatively undisturbed loca- tion is the most secure of all populations of the species (Field, 1997). The Ogyris idmo complex covers colour and pattern variants, morphological and/or behav- iouraly distinct populations of (). idmo and O. suhleirestris. Nowhere are specimens common. Both O. idmo idmo and O. idmo halma- turia are univoltine with peak flight activity in mid to late November. The Mt Ragged form of idmo has a longer flight activity period, flying in early/mid October with specimen activity still Occurring in late December. Specimens from near Geraldton more closely resemble the Mt Ragged form of O. idmo than typical idmo and fly in September. Flight activity during the day also dif- fers amongst the complex. Female idmo tend to be active only in the late morning, whereas males are mainly active in the afternoon. However, at Mt Ragged, males and females are active throughout the day. Hunt et al. (1998) reported male halmaturia having a peak flight activity in the late morning. Both sexes of O. suhierrestris are active throughout the day although during the heat of mid afternoon, specimens may shelter in trees. The complex may yet reveal more species than O. idmo and O. sitbtvrresiris. Larval charac- ters have proven useful in separating species in the complex. Further studies on the behaviour and immature stages of the various idmo populations may clarify the colour and morphological differ- ences that occur in the adult populations. Acknowledgements 1 thank Drs Don Sands (CSIRO) and Ken Walker (Museum Victoria) for comments and advice on early drafts of the manuscript, Mr Ted Edwards (CSIRO) for comments and access to images of type specimens, Mr Phillip Ackery (Natural His- tory Museum, London) for specimen loans and label data on specimens in the Natural History Museum, Mr Bob Hay for field assistance in Western Australia and Ms Kate Nolan for the line drawings of the larvae. Research on the Ogyris idmo complex was partially funded by a research grant from the Australian Entomological Society in 1991. References Belhune-Bakcr, F.L.S., 1905. A monograph of the genus Ogyris. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London 3: 269-292. Braby, M.F., Alkins, A.F, Dunn, K.I... Woodger, T.A. and Quick, W.N.B., 1997. A provisional list of common names for Australian butterflies. Aus- tralian Journal of Entomology 36: 1 97 212. Common, I. P, B. and Walerhouse, D. F„ 1981, Butter- flies of Australia. Revised edition. Angus and Robertson: Sydney, xiv 1 682 pp. D'Abrera, B.L., 1971. Butter/lies of the Australian region. Lansdowne Press: Melbourne. 4 1 5 pp. Ed wards. E.D., 1996. Lyeaenidae. Pp. 249 254 in Nielsen, E.S., Edwards. E.D. and Rangsi, T.V., 1996. Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia. Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera Vol. 4. CSIRO: Collingwood. xiv, 529 pp. Eliot, .1. N., 1973. The higher classification of the Lyeaenidae (Lepidoptera): a tentative arrange- ment. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural His- tory), Entomology 28: 373 505. Field, R.P., 1990. Range extensions and the biology of some Western Australia butterflies. Victorian Entomologist 20(4): 76 82. Field, R.P., 1992. Research grant report. Myrmecia 26(4): 12 17. Field, R.P., 1997. The Ogyris idmo llewitson (Lepi- doptera: Lyeaenidae) complex as flagship species lor conservation in southern Australia. Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 56(2): 389-392. llewitson, W.C., 1862. Specimen of a catalogue of Lyeaenidae in the British Museum. British Museum (Natural History): London, iiif 15 pp.. 8 pis. Hunt, L., Moore, M. and Moore, I)., 1998. Rediscovery of Ogyris idmo halmaturia (Tepper, 1890) Victo- rian Entomologist 28(6): 113 116. McArthur A.J., Adams. M. and Shattuck. S.O., 1997. A morphological and molecular review of Campono- tus terebrans (Lowne) (Hymenoptera: Formici- dae). Australian Journal of Zoology 45(6)' 579 598. McCubbin. C.W., 1971 . Australian hulterflies. Nelson: Melbourne, xxxii+206 pp. Moore, M„ 1999. Some field notes on the as yet unnamed Ogyris species (formerly included in the species Ogyris idmo halmaturia) from Waikerie. Victorian Entomologist 29( 1 ): 12-18. Sands, D.P.A., 1980. A new genus, Acrodipsas, for a group of Lyeaenidae (Lepidoptera) previously referred to Pseudodipsas C. & R. Fclder, with descriptions of two new species from northern Queensland. Journal of the Australian Entomolog- ical Society 18: 251-265. Tepper, J. CO., 1890. Common native insects of South Australia. A popular guide to South Australian entomology. Part II Lepidoptera. or hulterflies and moths. Adelaide, iv+65 pp.