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The moth butterfly (Liphyra brassolis) This caterpillar is flat, thick and leathery, to protect itself from the green ants with which it lives. The green ants are weaver ants, building arboreal nests in clumps of leaves with silken threads produced by their larvae. The larvae are also a food source for the carnivorous Moth butterfly larva which lives inside the ants nest in relative safety. <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/38167/moth_butterfly_liphyra_brassolis.html" title="Moth butterfly (Liphyra brassolis)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2776/38167_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=G6us3RPH2jux3LhONvX7ug4kEP4%3D" width="200" height="152" alt="Moth butterfly (Liphyra brassolis) A bizarre flattened larva adapted to live within the arboreal nests of green ants. Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Liphyra brassolis,Moth Butterfly" /></a></figure> Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Liphyra brassolis,Moth Butterfly Click/tap to enlarge Species introCountry intro

The moth butterfly (Liphyra brassolis)

This caterpillar is flat, thick and leathery, to protect itself from the green ants with which it lives. The green ants are weaver ants, building arboreal nests in clumps of leaves with silken threads produced by their larvae. The larvae are also a food source for the carnivorous Moth butterfly larva which lives inside the ants nest in relative safety.

Moth butterfly (Liphyra brassolis) A bizarre flattened larva adapted to live within the arboreal nests of green ants. Australia,Fall,Geotagged,Liphyra brassolis,Moth Butterfly

    comments (8)

  1. View Oddfeel's profile
    Oddfeel
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    my goodness...never knew it! Posted 9 years ago
  2. View Vodkaman's profile
    Vodkaman
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    Never heard of or seen anything like it.

    Dave     Posted 9 years ago
  3. View Mark Ridgway's profile
    Mark Ridgway
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    Impressive evolution... obviously doesn't mind looking like a scale. It would be good to watch the escape process. Posted 9 years ago
    1. View Martin Lagerwey's profile
      Martin Lagerwey
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      I think it's hard enough to see the larva. I know people who regularly break these nests open but have never seen one. This one happened to be outside the nest while I was nearby. Posted 9 years ago
      1. View Mark Ridgway's profile
        Mark Ridgway
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        Maybe they escape the nests before pupation then? Posted 9 years ago
        1. View Martin Lagerwey's profile
          Martin Lagerwey
          Lion
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          I have read that they eclose inside and and some ants do attack but the very scaly wings are designed to be slippery. Posted 9 years ago
  5. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    Living amidst ants and eating their larvae? Now that's a classic case of "behind enemy lines". Posted 9 years ago
    1. View Martin Lagerwey's profile
      Martin Lagerwey
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      That would be a nervous lifestyle. Posted 9 years ago

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The Moth Butterfly

The Moth Butterfly is a butterfly found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia that belongs to the lycaenid family. The larvae are predatory and feed on ant larvae. This is one of the largest species of Lycaenid butterfly. Several disjunct populations across its wide distribution range are considered as sub-species. Never a common butterfly, specimens of this species are highly prized by collectors.

Info 2 0
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
Species identified by Martin Lagerwey
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By Martin Lagerwey

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Uploaded Apr 25, 2016. Captured May 11, 2015 00:04 in Barron Gorge Rd, Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia.
country flag of Australia Explore Australia 13,257 4,208 3
  • Canon EOS 450D
  • f/16.0
  • 1/197s
  • ISO200
  • 65mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.