| Jalmenus evagoras | |
|---|---|
| |
| Dorsal view | |
| |
| Ventral view | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lycaenidae |
| Tribe: | Zesiini |
| Genus: | Jalmenus |
| Species: | J. evagoras
|
| Binomial name | |
| Jalmenus evagoras (Donovan, 1805)[1]
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Jalmenus evagoras, the imperial hairstreak, imperial blue, or common imperial blue, is a small, metallic blue butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is commonly found in eastern coastal regions of Australia.[2] This species is notable for its unique mutualism with ants of the genus Iridomyrmex. The ants provide protection for juveniles and cues for adult mating behavior. They are compensated with food secreted from J. evagoras larvae. The ants greatly enhance the survival and reproductive success of the butterflies. J. evagoras lives and feeds on Acacia plants, so butterfly populations are localized to areas with preferred species of both host plants and ants.[3]
- ^ "Jalmenus Hübner, 1818" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
- ^ "2. Jalmenus evagoras (Donovan)". Australian Insect Common Names. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Australia). 19 September 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Kitchingwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).