(040318 revised, 040317 created)
Home | News | Education | Hori's Homepage | Papilio polytes homepage |

Singh S P
Species composition and diapause in citrus butterflies.
Journal of Insect Science. 6(1). 1993. 48-52.

Abstract
Based on field sampling and rearing for over five years at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Chethalli, Kodagu, Karnataka (75 degree 50'E. 12 degree 50'N and 1034 m msl), four species of butterflies have been recorded feeding on citrus in South India. Papilio demoleus Linn. was the most dominent species available throughout the year, followed by P. polytes Linn. P. polymnestor Cram. and P. helenus Linn.

Papilio polytes was conspicuous by its total absence in April while it was most abundant in September.

The pupal diapause in citrus butterflies was faculitative. In P. demoleus, maximum number of diapausing pupae were observed in January (84.19%) and December (79-85%). However, the maximum number of pupae exhibiting prolonged period of diapause were available in October (8.6%) and November (18.8%), the butterflies from them emerged in 91.45 +- 9.06 and 78.52 +- 9.23 days respectively.

In case of P. polytes, maximum diapausing pupae were observed in December (77.08%) followed by that in January (69.39%). The maximum number of pupae with protracted diapause were available in October (9.60%) followed by that in November (2.80%). The pupal development lasted for 74.37 +- 9.44 and 65 07 +- 5.32 days respectively.