Observations have been conducted over several years at the Brenton Blue butterfly reserve (BBBR) on the adult behavior of O. niobe, as part of a larger study of the ecology of the species.  The nectar sources of both sexes are recorded, and assessed not to be a limiting factor for population size.  The patrolling behavior of males and the courtship and mating behavior of both sexes are described.  Observations of female oviposition behavior and preferences are combined with data on egg densities to conclude that neither ants nor previous oviposition history influence female choice of host plants, which appear to be detected by visual rather than olfactory cues.  The incidence of adult dwarfism is recorded and the low natural occurrence compared with results of captive breeding.  The annual phenology of the development stages of O. niobe is recorded and unusual features such as an occasional third brood discussed.

Eighteen life history observations on lycaenid taxa are reported and discussed for the first time, and updated tables of all known ant symbionts and food-plants for Chrysorits and Aloeides are presented.  Interactions between first instar larvae of Thestor rileyi Pennington and their host ants are described.  The occurrence of larvae of Aloeides bamptoni Tite & Dickson and A. nollothi Tite & Dickson with their ant-associates and food-plants are reported, and the oviposition behavior of A. barklyi (Trimen) and the ecology of A. pringlei Tite & Dickson is described.  An ant-associate and a new food-plant are recorded for C. braueri (Pennington), and ant-associates are inferred for Chrysoritis aridus (Pennington) and for C. natalensis (van Son) using new evidence.  Further evidence for the ant-associates and food-plant of C. chrysantas (Trimen) is presented.  Food-plants and ant-associates are determined for C. trimeni (Riley) and C. pan Lysander (Pennington), and for the first time they are recorded occurring in the same locality.  A new locality for C. zonarius coetzeri (Dickson & Wykeham) is recorded.  Each observation is reported and discussed in context, and in relation to previously published work.