(040903 revised, 040903 created)
Pupal Color Polymorphism of Papilio polytes
(left: ventral view, center: lateral view, right: dorsal view)
In the swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polytes, pupae exhibit a green/brown polymorphism which is determined by unknown reasons.
In pupae of Papilio xuthus L., also exhibit the same polymorphism, and it is well known that the polymopphism is determined by surface characteristics at the pupating sites in addition to the effects of smells and humidity (Hidaka, 1961). The physiological mechanism underlying the control of pupal color has been shown to involve a neuroendocrine factor named a browning hormone (Hidaka 1961). It is believed to be synthesized in the brain and released from the prothoracic ganglion in the pharate pupal stage (Hidaka 1961, Awiti and Hidaka 1982).
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Hiraga S. (2005)
- Two different sensory mechanisms for the control of pupal protective coloration in butterflies.
- J Insect Physiol. in press
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Usui Y, Yamanaka A, Islam FA, Shahjahan R, Endo K.
- Photoperiod- and Temperature-dependent Regulation of Pupal Beige/Black Polymorphism in the Small Copper Butterfly, Lycaena phlaeas daimio Seitz.
- Zoolog Sci. 2004 Aug;21(8):835-839.
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Awiti RL, Hidaka T (1982)
- Neuroendocrine mechanism involved in pupal color dimorphism in swallowtail, Papilio xuthus L..
- Insect Sci Appl 3: 181-191.
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Hidaka T (1961)
- Recherches sur le mecanisme de l'adaptation chromatique chez les nymphes de Papilio xuthus L..
- J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo 9: 223-261..
prothoracic ganglion :
pharate :