Our insect of the week is Feniseca tarquinius (Fabricius, 1793). [LEPIDOPTERA: Lycaenidae] This is a most interesting butterfly. Commonly called the harvester butterfly, it is the only carnivorous butterfly in North America. Larvae feed on various species of aphids. Although relatively uncommon in central Illinois, it is found from spring to fall in wooded areas near streams close to alders. Some caterpillar cover themselves with the remains of wooly aphids they have eaten. The caterpillars share part of the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of the aphids and seem to be protested from ants (such as Camponotus and Formica), which tend the aphids and collect honeydew from them. Adults have a very short proboscis and feed on aphid honeydew, sap, and
liquids exuding from mammal dung. The specimen shown here was collected by our member, Frank Hitchell in Peoria County (and was photographed by him as well).