Inset: A larva of the common blue. In spite of their abundance. the caterpillars are seldom seen because they
keep amongst clover leaves close to the ground. They have an extremely thick skin which is thought to protect them from the jaws of marauding ants. The skin exudes droplets of a liquid which is attractive to ants and many of the caterpillars of overseas blue butterflies are dependent on ants for part of their lives (not so in New Zealand). All photos George Gibbs.
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Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 4, 1 November 1987, Page 20
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84Inset: A larva of the common blue. In spite of their abundance. the caterpillars are seldom seen because they keep amongst clover leaves close to the ground. They have an extremely thick skin which is thought to protect them from the jaws of marauding ants. The skin exudes droplets of a liquid which is attractive to ants and many of the caterpillars of overseas blue butterflies are dependent on ants for part of their lives (not so in New Zealand). All photos George Gibbs. Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 4, 1 November 1987, Page 20
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