A comprehensive and critical review of all available literature on associations between Australian lycaenid butterflies and ants was undertaken to establish an accurate database of the partners involved. Collections and observations of lycaenids and ants were used to augment this review, resulting in a significant number of newly documented association (and non-association) records. Twenty published records considered to be erroneous or doubtful are noted, with justifications given for their deletion from the association database. In total, 265 different associations between lycaenids and ants, plus 65 non-attendance records are documented for Australia. Nearly 80% of the lycaenid species in Australia, for which the early stages are known, are recorded associating with ants and half of these are obligately ant-associated. Patterns of association are examined from the perspective of both lycaenids and ants, with a focus on ant systematics and ecology. Lycaenids are recorded with five ant subfamilies, including the first record of an association with the Pseudomyrmecinae. The Dolichoderinae, and to some extent the Formicinae, have a disproportionately high percentage of genera that associate with lycaenid butterflies. All ant species that tend lycaenids spend at least some portion of their time foraging on vegetation to collect plant and insect nectar. There is a robust relationship between the competitive status of ants within a community, and their frequency and degree of association with lycaenids. Obligate ant-association is accompanied by a high degree of specificity for ant partner, but two notable exceptions, Ogyris aenone and O. amaryllis are discussed. Facultative myrmecophiles tend to associate with a broad range of ants, although interactions with ecologically dominant ants are less frequent than might be expected based on the abundance of dominant ant species in Australian communities.

Associations between lycaenid butterflies and ants in Australia

The extent and variety of roadside environments in Australia in largely anthropogenic landscapes render them substantial remnant habitats for insect biodiversity. The importance of these areas for insect biodiversity conservation and the key threats they face are discussed, as well as the needs for their protection and conservation management. Many rural roadsides harbour significant patches of native vegetation, including rare and threatened flora now scarce elsewhere. Other values of roadside vegetation include habitat remnants, seasonal refuges, corridors and shelters for insect movements and population connectivity. Examples are given of the importance of roadsides for individual threatened insect species. Roadside environments are under substantial threat from clearing, development and unintentional degradation through a variety of activities. The diverse responsibilities of roadside management, increasingly to harmonise human safety and amenity needs with biodiversity conservation, can readily incorporate considerations of insect diversity and occurrence of notable individual species. The conservation of remnant vegetation and ecological restoration of roadside corridors are highlighted as paramount for maintaining biodiversity and connectivity under increased human activity and environmental extremes.

Roles of roadside vegetation in insect conservation in Australia

Acrodipsas gen. n. is proposed for seven species of Lycaenidae from eastern Australia, including A. melania and A. hirtipes spp. n. Keys to the genera Pseudodipsas C. & R. Felder, Paralucia Waterhouse and Turner, and Lucia Swainson and to the species of Acrodipsas are presented. The male genitalia of all species of Acrodipsas are described and figured.

A new genus, acrodipsas, for a group of lycaenidae (lepidoptera) previously referred to pseudodipsas c. and r. felder, with descriptions of two new species from northern queensland

Anonychomyrma inclinata sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): description, biology and interaction with the endangered bulloak jewel butterfly, Hypochrysops piceatus Kerr, Macqueen & Sands, 1969 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Pseudodipsas digglesii Hewitson and P. rufimargo (Rothschild) are transferred to the genus Hypochrysops.

Hypochrysops digglesii (hewitson) comb.n., and h. rufimargo (rothschild) comb. n. (lepidoptera: lycaenidae)

A new species of hypochrysops (lepidoptera: lycaenidae) from south queensland

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Pseudodipsas illidgei Waterhouse and Lyell stat.n. is shown to be a species distinct from P. myrmecophila Waterhouse and Lyell.

J. Macqueen

Papers

A new species of hypochrysops (lepidoptera: lycaenidae) from south queensland

The specific status of pseudodipsas illidgei waterhouse and lyell stat. n. (lepidoptera: lycaenidae)