Adult Resources in Butterflies: African Lycaenid Megalopalpus Feeds on Larval Nectary

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Abstract
The feeding behavior of Megalopalpus zymna (Dbl. et Hew.), a small rain-forest butterfly which ranges from Ghana to Gabon is documented. M. zymna was one of the more common and conspicuous butterflies observed along trails through deep forest in the study area [eastern Cameroon]. An individual was observed investigating a dark spot on a leaf which on closer investigation turned out to be a cluster of ants tending an early instar lycaenid larva. The butterfly carefully waded through the ants (which paid little attention to it) and began to feed at the posterior nectar gland which in many lycaenid larvae is designed for ants. Megalopalpus has extremely long labial palps which are held like 2 sickles vertically in front of the head. The legs are remarkably long, given the size of the butterfly and the family to which it belongs. The body posture while feeding is such as to minimize the accessibility of abdomen to the ants. These unusual morphological traits are all consistent with the hypothesis that feeding on larval nectar in company with ants is an important aspect of the biology of adult Megalopalpus rather than a coincidental observation.

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