The Provence Hairstreak (Tomares ballus Fabricius, 1787)
The life-cycle, the courtship-flight, mating, the egg-laying, the egg hatching and the caterpillars on the larval food-plant Dorycnium hirsutum and Medicago polymorpha, the myrmecophile caterpillars and the ants Tapinoma nigerrimum and Camponotus aethiops of the Provence Hairstreak has been filmed in the Var, France. Family Lycaenidae.
Contribution à la connaissance de Tomares ballus (F., 1787)
Contribution to the knowledge of Tomares ballus (F., 1787)
AbstractThe authors followed Tomares ballus in the Var for seven years. They observed appearance and behaviour in relation to habitat, in particular, egg laying on different host plants. They continue their studies partially in de wild and partially in captivity, investigating the development of the caterpillars and their relationship with ants. The vulnerability of this species in relation to its environment is the question that arises.
In may 2008, caterpillars from Tomares ballus feeding on Dorycnium hirsutum and Medicago polymorpha were visited by ants Tapinoma nigerrimum attracted by the dorsal nectar organ (DNO), or also called Newcomer's gland.
In the spring of 2015, at different locations, the ants species Plagiolepis pygmaea are attracted by the caterpillars of Tomares ballus on Hairy Canary Clover (Dorycnium hirsutum).
On 29 may 2008, caterpillar from Tomares ballus feeding on Dorycnium hirsutum were visited by ants Camponotus aethiops attracted by the dorsal nectar organ (DNO), or also called Newcomer's gland.
Le Faux-cuivré smaragdin
Provence Hairstreak
Fleeting wonders
Butterflies of France 
Lepidoptera & their ecology
Matt's European Butterflies
Anything but common
Lépi'Net