Ogyris zosine

(Northern Purple Azure)

Description

The larvae which feed on a variety of species in the mistletoe family, Loranthaceae, are usually attended by numerous sugar ants in the genus Camponotus. Mature larvae have a flattened pinkish-grey body with dark purplish-red patches and spots, lateral hairs conspicuous. Adult male is a dull dark purple with narrow black margins, hind wing with a number of sharp projections and a small tail; female black with purple of iridescent blue areas and a cream spot on the fore wing, hind wing projections similar to male; lower surface grey with irregular markings, brownish to iridescent bluish-white.