Head capsule width of larvae of Narathura japonica (Murray) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) in Kanto, Central Japan

Abstract

Head capsule width of Narathura japonica (Murray) larvae collected from various host trees in Tokyo and Ibaraki were measured. The butterfly passes through five larval instar stages before pupation. Larvae collected in late spring and late autumn had larger head capsules than those collected in summer and early autumn. Moreover, Ibaraki larvae have larger heads than Tokyo larvae.