Cryptic larval polychromatism in Rekoa marius Lucas and R. palegon Cramer (Lycaenidae: Theclinae)

Abstract

Rekoa marius and R. palegon, are widely distributed neotropical hairstreaks that show cryptic larval polychromatism which is food dependent. Larvae of R. marius showed a short-term color shift when reared from different colored flower buds. A great number of host plant species belonging to several families were recorded for both R. marius and R. palegon larvae. Biological aspects of the larvae are presented and the relationships between cryptic polychromatism and polyphagy are discussed