Hypochrysops delicia explained

Hypochrysops delicia, the moonlight jewel, is a member of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in eastern Australia.^[1]

The wingspan is about 40 mm.

The larvae feed on Acacia species, including A. binervia, A. dealbata, A. flavescens, A. implexa, A. irrorata, A. leiocalyx, A. mearnsii, A. melanoxylon, A. parramattensis, A. pycnantha and A. spectabilis. It is usually attended by Crematogaster species.

Subspecies

• H. d. delicia - Hewitson, 1875 (southern Queensland to central New South Wales)
• H. d. delos - Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 (southern New South Wales to Victoria)
• H. d. duaringae - Waterhouse, 1903 (central Queensland)
• H. d. regina - Grose-Smith & Kirby, 1895 (Moluccas)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Species Hypochrysops delicia Hewitson, 1875. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1 February 2016. Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government. 8 July 2016. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.