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JouKMyan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 4(i) Zoology

External Morphology of adult , memnon (Linnaeus, 1758) and Seasonal Abundance of the Species NiNiWin

Abstract Sexual dimorphism is obvious in Papilio memnon. The female adult resembles that of Papilio poly tes another citrus butterfly species. However, marked difference is observed in the* size and red spots on the base of the forewing, The adult male P. memrion is blue black in colour and red spots are present on the base of the underside of both fore and hind wjngs. The wing span of both sexes ranges from' 120 mm to 150 mm. The breeding season is from end of June to early part of January, the peak being in the month of November. The recorded diagnostic external features of this studied species are described supported by scaled photographs. Seasonal abundance of this species is also mentioned. It is learnMhrough the internet that a mounted specimen of this species fetched $2.95 in . It is therefore concluded that successful rearing of this species in captivity could be of benefit to the country. .'V- :

Introduction are instantly recognized by people the world over as attractive, harmless . They .are Valuable pollinators when they move from plant to plant gathering nector. there are more butterflies in the wet season particularly during the period of beginning and end of monsoon. Papilio memnon Linnaeus, 1758 is common in rainy and cold seasons but decline in hot season. The adult Papilibnids are mostly vigorous butterflies with a strong flight, often hovering when they are feeding at flowers. The presence of overlapping scales on the wings helps to distinguish the from other orders, i Papilio memnon is in a way of dimorphism, where the male and female have two colour patterns and markings. However, these patterns are not constant and heritable. i The present study is aimed to compare the differences between the adult female of P. memrion and that of A polytes Linnaeus, 1758. This study mentioned the breeding season and the seasonal abundance of this species.

Demonstrator, Department of Zoology, University of Yarigon 146 Jour. Myan. Acad. AMS & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. sNo. 40) Zoology (1

Materials and MeitSsods. Study sites and study period Kamayut, Hlaing and Insein Townships of Yangon Division were chosen as.natural study sites where the citrus plants were cultivated (Fig.il). Seasonal abundance were recorded from these sites and as well as in captivity status (Butterfly house). Study, period lasted from March 2,003 to February 2004. Meteorological data were obtained from Department of. Meteorology and Hydrology, Kaba Aye, Yangon. Rearing in captivity; The host plants and flowering plants arc grown in the butterfly house which is artificially created to suit the adaptation of the butterflies. A pair of male and female Papilio memnon ,^/as introduced into the created butterfly house. Introduction of paired maleland female were conducted five times to study the behaviour in captivity, phe breeding -behaviours were recorded starting from egg1 laying till the emergence of adults! The-temperature in the butterfly house ranges from 26.6°Cfto 34.2°C. These behaviours vvere also observed in nature. However, in this presentation external morphology of the adults and seasonal abundance will qnly be given. Specimen preparation The males died five days after mating and the females diedrten days after laying the fertilized eggs on jiie host plants. WhesU specimens were collected and their wings were placed in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH). When the wings became transparent after 2 to 3-days, they-were hashed thoroughly under the tap water to rejtnove the KOH; The treated wings were then left to dry in room temperatures This enabled faie yeins^ of thS;wings to become visible whichis an importanl|s6urce of identificatien^' fe ' Identification The wings with distinct veinsjwere placed in the peteidish to study the diagnostic features of the .species. Identification is followed after Bingham (1905-1907) and Talbot (1939). " " Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts <& Sc. 2005 Vol. HI. No. 4(a);Zoology 147

Result Sexual dimorphism of P. memnon is described supported by scaled photographs (Plate I). Papilio memnon (male) Upperside - The uppci suuaicGi us iore wing is deep indigo blue black with blue stripes and that of its hind wing is also blue black but with more prominent blue stripes. The red patches on the upperside of fore wings-are not as distinct as that of the underside of fore wing. >y. [ - • - Underside - Distinct patches are present at the base of the underside of the fore wing. The underside fore wing is brownish with greyish veins. The hind wing is opaque with velvety-black scales. Red patches are present .at the base of the hind wing . • .-; and terminates with black spots. Pdpilio memnon (female) L Upperside - The upperside of fore wing is brownish with black stripes. Red patches are present at the base of upperside of the fore wing and the basal area is* velvety-black. Hind wing is black with1 white and red patches. Red spots are present at • the tenniiiai part of hind wirig. The inner angle of the hind wing consists of large black spot. Underside - The underside of the,fore wing is similar to the uppersicle except that red patches are present at the base of the hind ; . * wing. The terminal spots are ochraceous to greyish white. ii;;.:...: The morphological structures of adult female P. memnon though Similar to;that of,P. polytes can easily be distinguished by the size. The size • [pi^ memnon is about two-third markedly larger than P. polytes. However, khe-..males of P. memnon and P. polytes are, distinctly 'different in ; morphological structures. • , • ' [Seasonal abundance of P. memnon • . . . | I; f" The seasonal abundance,of P. memnon in captivity is related to ti ^mperature and humidity as shown in Fig. 2. The emergence of male and Eemalejfrom the pupae do not vary in relation to^the monsoon or cool seasons, jdwever, no data could be obtained in hot season as the population of P. 148 Jour. MyanAcad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 4(i) Zoology memnon markedly decline during this period. Similar conditions were recorded in nature (Fig. 3). The number of developmental stages (egg, larva and pupa) gradually increased starting from monsoon till the end,,iof cool season and started to decline towards the on set of hot season. It could be stated here that the population of P. memnon was at the lowest peak in ^he hot season and highest in the on set of cool season.

Discussion Sexual dimorphism or differences in the appearance of the male and I i female is the genetically produced variation as statedby Ackery and1 Vane-1 Wright (1984). In Papilio memnon the male and female differ in size, colour and shape. The female is slighitly larger than male but colour markings are distinctly different. fi . , , •. ,. • Morphological structure pf adult P. memnon and P. polytes \s similar in wing pattern and wing colour. However, the size of P. memnon is noticeably larger than P. polytes. The difference in size could be observed starting from the egg. W ;. Females were rarely found in the population during the decline period, i.e., in the host season. The decline1 of the larval stages further supported this finding. During the unfavourable seasons of the year especially in dry season, growth and development of this species is also arrested. This period is thus assumed to be hibernation period. Daily fluctuations of temperature and moisture are also important to insects. Their mortality rate can be influenced by these factors as described by Ackery and Vane-Wright (1984). It has been learnt through the internal that the mounted specimens of this species are of economic value with various marketable prices in Malaysia, , Barli island ^ etc., as reported in WWW.insectempire.com/butterflys.html. It is therefore concluded from the present findings that if the species P. memnon \s successfully reared in captivity, it could promote the economy of this country.

^Conclusion Sexual dimorphism of ^ adult male and female P. memnon was observed. Morphological differences between P. memnon and P. polytes were studied. Seasonal abundance of IP. memnon was mentioned both in nature andi Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc 2005 Vol. III. No. 4(i) Zoology 149

captivity from March 2003 to February 2004, from this study the peak of P. memnon was found to be in October and November. In the host season, mainly from March to May P. memnon was rarely found in all studied sites. Breeding behaviour and successfully rearing of the adults starting from the fertilized eggs have also been studied. The findings of these studies would not only give interesting account of this species but would also be of economic value to those interested in the butterflies. This would then promote the economy of this country.

Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Daw Tin Nwe, Professor (Head), Zoology Department, Yangon University, for permitting me to wbrk on the present butterfly species . and for her interest rendered during the study period. I am indebted to Dr. Si Si HIa Bu, Associate Professor, Zoology Department, Yangon University, for her invaluable supervision. Last but not the least to Dr. Thein Win, Lecturer, Zoology Department, Yangon University, for his patience rendered while preparing the power point presentation.

References Ackery/P.R and R.I Vane-Wright (1984). "The Biology of Butterflies". Bingham, C.T. (1907). "The Fauna of British India'' including Cevlon and Burma- Butterflies. Volume I. Taylor Francis, London.

•' - . * • • • I- •• • . • • ",-: Goodden,R(1974). "Butterflies and Moths". Transwbrld'Publishers Ltd., London. O' toole, C. (2002). "Insects ancfSpiders". Firefly Books Ltd., Canada. Pinratana, B. A. (1974). "Butterflies in ". Vol. I.^The Viruthan press, Thailand. Talbot, G. (1939). "The Fauna of British India" including Cevlon and Burma. Butterflies. Vol. I. Tayloi^and Francis Company, London. ^; VJ'WW. insectempire.com/butterflys.html. 150 Jour. Myath Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 4(i) Zoology

•I | ^ • \\--~J( , I j \\ ' ':' Jour. Myan.Acad. Arts <£ Sc. 2005 Vol. Ill;No. 4(i) Zoology 151

Table 1. Seasonal abundance of Papilio mimnon in captivity 2003-2004 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug ^ept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

• • \. _• Male -• • - 25 11 22 29 10 19

Female - •• - , - - 18 8 13 6 .5 - . %'• Temp 32,9 34,2 30.3 26.7 26.6 27.3 29.8 31.9 30.1 30.3 '31.0 °c ••• 32.8 34.1 29.4 26.6 26.5 27.2 41-A - 29.7 31.8 30.0 30.2 30.9 RH(%) 65 ! 66 75 83 80 82 81 70 60 65 64 61

e '"•-"•"•"••:»Female —Hkf-Temperature — 3<-.— RH

90

j Mar Apr May Jun Ju! Aug S^pt Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

i . • • ' • • - • • f • Month

Fig. 2. Seasonal abundance of Papilio Mcmnon in captivity (2003-2004) 152 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sa 2005 Vol. III. No. 4(i) Zoology

Table 2. Seasonal abundance o&Papilio memnon in nature Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Qct -Nov! Dee Jan Feb s i . i- Egg 4 3 3 15 20 22 23 26 25 ] 19t 12 5 Larva 3 2 10 16 17 20 20 8 3 H 17i

Pupa 3 : 2 1 •• 2... .$•: 10 13 18 ,13 :.: 5; 4 2 Temp 36.7 38.2 33.5. 30.7 30.7 30.3 30.6 33.6 35.1 33.3 33.8 :35.0 °c 19.7 22.6 22.1 21.4 2|1.8 21.3. 20.9 21.6 15.9 15.9 15.2 16.0 RH(%) 70 71 83 91 •?° 92 91 80 70 74 74 71 Rainfall 0 0 454 598 452 352 78 0 0 0 0 (mm)

Larva E23SZ3 Pupa - -. -A- - Temperatiire — X-'••— RH Rainfall

(' • ! * ! ' ' ' '

1-30

Mar Apr May Jun' if.§u\ Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Month

Fig. 3. Seasonal abundance of P. memnon in nature.