This family, Lycaenidae, which is predominantly tropical, also includes the hair-streaks and coppers. The upperside of the male is blue, sometimes brilliantly so, that of the female more often being brown. Several species have caterpillars that feed on the grubs of ants, while some, including the Australian mistletoe butterflies, Orygis species, are protected by ants. The caterpillar of the Chinese blue butterfly, Gerydus chinensis , eats aphids.
Many lycaenids feed on the leaves of tropical trees and shrubs.
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