Solanum Hirtum As a Host Plant for Mechanitis Menapis Menapis (Lepidoptera: Ithomiinae) in Colombia
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Revista Colombiana de Entomología 36 (1): 169-171 (2010) 169 Solanum hirtum as a host plant for Mechanitis menapis menapis (Lepidoptera: Ithomiinae) in Colombia Solanum hirtum como planta hospedera de Mechanitis menapis menapis (Lepidoptera: Ithomiinae) en Colombia. CARLOS EDUARDO GIRALDO S.1 y SANDRA I. URIBE S.2 Abstract: Specimens of Mechanitis menapis menapis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Ithomiinae) were collected from three localities in the Colombian Andes. Eggs and larvae found on the host plant were collected and studied under laboratory conditions. The plant on which the immatures were found was identified as Solanum hirtum, which rep- resents a new host plant record for Mechanitis menapis in Colombia. The observations presented contribute to an understanding of the host plants of Neotropical diurnal butterflies, and specifically the Ithomiinae, for Colombia. Key words: Solanaceae. Life cycle. Resumen: Especímenes de Mechanitis menapis menapis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Ithomiinae) se recolectaron en tres localidades de los Andes colombianos. Huevos y larvas encontrados en la planta hospedera se recolectaron y estudiaron en condiciones de laboratorio. La planta sobre la cual se encontraron los inmaduros fue identificada como Solanum hirtum hallazgo que constituye un nuevo registro de planta hospedera para Mechanitis menapis en Colom- bia. Las observaciones presentadas contribuyen al conocimiento de las plantas hospederas de las mariposas diurnas Neotropicales y en particular de Ithomiinae para Colombia. Palabras clave: Solanaceae. Ciclo de vida. Introduction lacking on relevant characters as derived from immature in- stars, and aspects such as host plant range and life cycle detail. Mechanitis menapis menapis (Hewitson, 1856) belongs to Regarding his work, Brown (1977) stated: “it is not claimed the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Ithomiinae. This sub- that this represents a final taxonomic revision, as much field, family includes Neotropical butterflies distributed in humid insectary, genetic, cytological, physiological and biochemi- forests from sea level up to 3.000 m and from Mexico to cal work must still be undertaken before a complete and de- southern Brazil, Paraguay, and across three Caribbean is- finitive comprehension of these groups can be achieved.” lands (Willmott and Freitas 2006). Ithomiinae species are Interactions between Ithomiinae butterflies and Solanace- of special interest as entomological and ecological models ae plants have been well documented (Drummond and Brown because they belong to at least eight distinct mimicry rings 1987, 1999; Willmott and Mallet 2004). Records of Mechani- (Joron and Mallet 1998) and because they establish particular tis larvae feeding on Solanum plants have been reported in relationships with host plants, most of which produce alka- Brazil, Costa Rica and Colombia (Vasconcellos-Neto 1986; loids that are detoxified during the caterpillar life cycle and Acevedo 1992; Constantino 1997a; Haber 2001). According later used as defenses against natural enemies (Drummond to Willmott and Mallet (2004), and based on an extensive and Brown 1987). Important advances improving the knowl- compilation from different authors, there are more than 35 edge of Ithomiinae in South America have been recently pub- Solanum host plants registered for Mechanitis species. As an lished (e.g. Drummond and Brown 1987, 1999; Willmott and example, M. lysimnia (Fabricius, 1793) females have been Mallet 2004; Willmott and Freitas 2006). In Colombia, some observed laying eggs on the leaves of at least five prickly publications including host plants records have been made by Solanum species in southeast of Brazil (Vasconcellos-Neto Constantino (1997a, 1997b) and García et al. (2002), but de- and Monteiro 1993). In Colombia, Constantino (1997a), re- tailed studies related to host plants and life cycle are scarce. corded M. polymnia (Linnaeus, 1758) feeding on S. torvum The genus Mechanitis has been recorded in the Colom- (Sw., 1788) and S. quitoense (Lam., 1794) and M. menapis on bian Andes particularly in coffee growing areas of Antioquia S. torvum, S. hispidum (S. asperolanatum Ruiz & Pav., 1799), and Caldas departments (Constantino 1997a). The genus is S. nigrum (L., 1753) and S. mammosum (S. circinatum Bohs, taxonomically difficult and identification to the species level 1995). is mainly achieved using morphological characters such as The high diversity of the genus Solanum, estimated at wing color pattern and venation. Variation in color pattern approximately 1400 species (Bosh 2005) with 163 restricted among some species and subspecies, however, makes identi- to Colombia (NHM 2008), and the morphological similarity fication difficult (Brown 1977). Brown (1977) reviewed the between species, have contributed to a poor understanding of taxonomy of Mechanitis and Melinaea, but studies are still Solanum host plants for Ithomiinae in Colombia, including 1 Ingeniero Agrónomo, candidato a Maestría en Biología Universidad de Antioquia, Grupo de Investigación en Sistemática Molecular, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín. Correspondencia: Calle 59A No 63-20. Bloque 18-102 Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín. [email protected]. Autor para correspondencia. 2 Ingeniera Agrónoma, M. Sc., Ph. D. Profesora asociada Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín, Grupo de Investigación en Sistemática Molecular. Calle 59A No 63-20. Bloque 18-102 Medellín, Colombia. 170 Revista Colombiana de Entomología Carlos Eduardo Giraldo S. y Sandra I. Uribe S. for Mechanitis. In this work we report Solanum hirtum Vahl. Results and Discussion as a host plant for M. menapis menapis in Colombia. Plant samples where immature stages of Mechanitis were Materials and Methods found and reared corresponded to S. hirtum (Fig. 1A). S. hir- tum is distributed from Peru to Central America (Bohs 2005) Biological material was obtained during fieldwork from and was previously reported as a host plant for M. isthmia (M. three localities in the Andean region of Colombia. Santa Fé polymnia isthmia H. W. Bates, 1863) by Rathcke and Poole de Antioquia (500 m elevation, 6°32’08,19” N, 75°49’41,32” (1975) and Drummond and Brown (1987) in Venezuela. In W) Valparaiso Antioquia (1000 m elevation 5°41’32,86”N, Colombia, it has not previously been reported as a host plant 75°38’24,14”W), and Anserma Caldas (840 m elevation for Mechanitis. 5°10’35,01”N, 75°40’51,84”W). Eggs and larvae were col- The life cycle from egg to adult lasted 30 days with five lected from plant leaves and plant samples were taken for instars exhibited. In the field, the eggs were found distributed the later taxonomic identification. Plants were identified us- individually or in small clusters (Fig. 1B), usually on the up- ing Whalen et al. (1981) and Bohs (2005) and by comparison per leaf surface of young plants <1 m tall. A total of 109 eggs with specimens deposited at the Herbarium MEDEL, Uni- were collected and reared of which 63 reached adult stage versidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín. Species identities (57.8%). Of these, 33 were males (52.38%) and 30 were fe- were confirmed by an expert of theSolanum genus, Dr. Lynn males (47.62%). Bosh. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium After hatching, first instars ate a part of the egg shell and MEDEL. a small part of the leaf, making a hole through which they Immature stages were reared under laboratory conditions passed to the inner leaf surface. They then weaved a web on in the insectarium at the Universidad Nacional de Colom- the leaf’s stellate trichomes on which they were able to move. bia, Medellín (1538 m elevation, 27°C and 45% humidity). According to Rathcke and Poole (1975), such behavior in M. Selected branches with eggs or larvae were taken from the isthmia (M. polymnia isthmia) is an adaptation for feeding plants and transported to the insectarium. There, each stem on Solanum plants. Larvae begin to eat at the edge of the was hydrated with water and put into a cage made of wood same hole they passed through before to fed on the upper leaf and mesh (20 X 30 X 29 cm). Branches were replaced after surface. First instars have a black cephalic capsule. The body larvae consumed them. Length and width measurements of is clear before eating and then turns dark green due to food. the larvae were taken after each molt. Insects remained in the They have eight pairs of almost imperceptible, undeveloped, cages until eclosion of the imago. Adult butterflies obtained lateral tubercles above the prolegs. Their thoracic legs and were mounted and deposited at the Entomological Museum prolegs are white. The body is 3 mm long and 0.7 mm wide Francisco Luis Gallego (MEFLG) of the Universidad Nacio- after eclosion (Fig. 1C). One day later, the legs are black and nal de Colombia, Medellin. Adults were sexed and identi- prolegs are white; the body is 5 mm long and 0.7 mm wide. fied using morphological characters and field guides (Brown Second instars are 7 mm long and 2.0 mm wide; their 1977; García et al. 2002). Species identities were also con- lateral tubercles are white and larger (0,5 mm). The cephalic firmed by Gerardo Lamas (Museum of Natural History, Uni- capsule is black and the body is grey from the head until the versidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos). sixth abdominal segment. The other segments are white. Pro- legs are grey. Third instars are 18 mm long and 2.5 mm wide. A B C D E F Figure 1. A. Solanum hirtum B. Eggs C. first instar larvae eclosion. D. Fifth instar larvae. E. Pupae, F. Male adult dorsal view (Left) and ventral view (Right). Planta hospedante de Mechanitis menapis 171 The cephalic capsule and body are grey, but the central part Cited literature and bases of the tubercles are yellow. For this instar, abdomi- nal tubercles are well developed (1 mm). Posterior instars ACEVEDO, E. 1992. Reconocimiento de plagas y benéficos en el (fourth) have similar coloration but are different in size (21 cultivo de tomate de árbol (Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) en la x 3.0 mm; tubercles 2 mm).