Chilades Butterfly Life-cycles

Call it the Case of the Missing Caterpillars.

I am trying to determine what happens to the larvae of two Lycaenid (blues group) butterflies, Chilades pandva (Plains Cupid or Cycad Blue) and C. parrhasium (Small or Indian Cupid), after the females have laid eggs on host plants. My sightings of caterpillars, even on known host plants, have been exceedingly few in comparison with adults, while I have not found any pupae at all. At least, that's how it is in the United Arab Emirates.

I am interested in amassing observations and photographs of these two butterfly species from anywhere in the world, especially any of caterpillars or pupae and their surroundings, females laying eggs on identifiable host plants and possible associations between the butterfly species and ants (e.g., ants attending caterpillars or carrying them underground).

C. pandava is a known pest of cycads, including ornamental sago cycads (often called sago palms) in gardens. There does not appear to be much information available on the host plants of C. parrhasius, so even determing what those are would be valuable.

Comparisons with other Chilades species could also yield clues, so don't hesitate to submit observations of anything you think might be relevant. less ↑