Life history of Purlisa gigantea (Lepidoptera: Lycaenida, Theclini) in south Thailand.

The immature stages of Purlisa gigantea gigantea (Distant, 1881) are described and illustrated for the first time. Larvae of P. gigantea were found feeding on Helixanthera cylindrica (Jack) Dans. (Loranthaceae) in southern Thailand. Chaetotaxy of first instar larvae is described in detail to facilitate phylogenetic analysis and comparison with other lycaenid taxa.