Callophrys rubi

Hostplant: The larva can feed on many types of plants, most commonly on Vaccinium sp. but also on different plants of Fabaceae. In my breeding i used V. myrtillus and Lotus corniculatus.

Lifecycle and behaviour: The female laid eggs on all parts of the hostplant, but seemed to prefer the flowers. The eggs took 4 days to hatch. The larval stage lasted 2,5 weeks and they molted 3 times. They fed on both leaves and developing berries of the V.myrtillus plants. They usually prefered the flowers on the L.corniculatus. In lack of food the larva exhibited cannibalistic behaviour where the larger more developed larva would prey on the younger less developed larva. The pupa hibernates.

Adults hatch early in the spring, usually from late April and fly into June in one generation.

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