Life history of Euselasia chrysippe and E. bettina (: Lycaenidae: Riodininae) on Miconia calvescens (Melastomataceae) in K e n j i N I S H I D A 西田 賢司 Sistema de Estudios de Posgrado en Biología, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica [email protected] http://rbt.ots.ac.cr/kenji/bio.html http://www.biologia.ucr.ac.cr/~sep/ http://www.hear.org/MiconiaInHawaii/index.html INTRODUCTION: The life The Euselasia Hübner, Methods For the past three years collection [1819] is distributed from and observation of adults, eggs, larvae, and history and early stages of [1819] is distributed from pupae were conducted in several sites in Euselasia chrysippe (Bates, southwestern North America Costa Rica, at elevations of 60-1200 m. 1866) and E. bettina (Hewitson, throughout Central America, into Leaves of M. calvescens were checked South America, having the center thoroughly in the field. Eggs and larvae 1869) were observed on M. collected were placed in plastic vials or of species diversity in the Amazon calvescens DC. as part of an transparent plasticbags for transporting and Basin. Currently approximately rearing. Some of the larvae were reared effort to evaluate potential 150 species have been described and observed on live plants growing in biological control agents for this (Stichel 1930-1931). flower pots, at the laboratory (22-25 °C) in Euselasia chrysippe (Ec) ranges the Escuela de Biología (elevation 1150 m). weed, which is highly invasive Euselasia chrysippe (Ec) ranges Fresh leaves or new potted plants were in Tahiti and Hawaii. These from Mexico to . In supplied as necessary. Eggs, larvae of observations on life history will Costa Rica, it has been collected each instar, and pupae were preserved in in all seven provinces, from 75% EtOH. Adults were pin-mounted. be useful for biological control Some adults were released in enclosed Atlantic lowlands at sea level to workers pursuing quarantine butterfly gardens and in a small ecological approximately 1500 m in North reserve located on the UCR campus to studies of Euselasia spp. in and Central Cordillera Volcánica obtain further adult behavioral data and Hawaii. and in Central Pacific region reproduction of successive generations. (DeVries 1997, INBio 1999, Janzen and LIFE HISTORY Hallwachs 2001, NABA 2004). Other Habitat: Wet area, usually along recorded host plants for E. rivers, valleys, or near lakes of low chrysippe are Miconia elata (Sw.) to mid-elevation tropical rainforest. DC., Miconia trinervia (Sw) D. Ovipositions (Ec) were observed Don (DeVries 1997; Janzen and between 11 am and 3 pm under Hallwachs 2001), and M. donaeana Naudin sunny to light rain conditions. (Proyecto Miconia UCR, unpublished data). Egg ca.0.42 mm, fustrum shape; Euselasia bettina (Eb) has been chorion smooth, (Ec translucent to found from to . light creamy brown)(Eb creamy In Costa Rica, it has been pale yellow) with area of micropyle observed from elevations purplish-dark brown; laid in between 400 and 1200 m on both clusters on the underside of leaves. Atlantic and Pacific slopes. The Mean number of eggs per cluster host plant and the early stages of were Ec--70 (SD=20; range=44- this species have not been 113; n=29), Eb—89 (SD=9; reported before (DeVries 1997). range=82-99; n=3) . Larvae of both species possess Pupa: 5x10x3 mm, brown to light six instars, and the larvae are brown with dark brown areas. processionary throughout their Head and thoracic area semi- development. They are gregari- oval, highest point at center part ous foliage consumers that feed, of the thorax; abdomen wider rest, and molt synchronously. First than thorax, flat and plate-like and second instar larvae rasp leaf dorsally, tapered; ca. 1 mm long tissue on the underside. From the spike-like brown setae projected third instar, larvae consume entire over the body. Pupate vertically, leaf tissue except for thick veins. head downwards, on the side of First instar larva 0.6 to 2 mm long; flower pots or horizontally in head capsule 0.25 mm wide. Last upside-down position on under- instar larva 12 to 16 mm; head side of desks, attached to the capsule 1.7 mm wide. Larvae of surface via silk-cremaster and Ec and Eb are similar in size. They silk thread spun around T3-A1, possess some unique “defensive” and usually clustered together up behaviors. to about 50 individuals. Duration of early stages (Ec): Adult feeding: In captivity, both Egg 13-25 days, Larva 16-34 days, species were observed feeding on Prepupa stage 1 day, Pupa stage rotten fruits (banana and guava), 7-12 days, Total 37-72 days. and water drops and honey water Courtship behavior (Ec) was on leaves. Under natural observed in a butterfly garden: conditions, Ec adults have been between 6:30 and 7:00 am observed visiting fruits of Ficus, several males chasing after a and extrafloral nectaries of Inga female, ca. 2.5-3 m high from the and Passiflora (I. Chacón, INBio ground. Males were also database). observed perching on top of Parasitoids: a species of broad plant leaves situated about Aphelinidae (all males, probably a 2 m high in direct, early morning sp. of Encarsia) was reared from sunlight. Mating couples were eggs of both species, and a found on underside of leaves, and Calolydella sp. (Diptera: copulation lasted approximately Tachinidae) was reared from late 20 minutes. instar larvae of Ec.