World Journal of Zoology 7 (3): 216-220, 2012 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.3.6522

Ecobiology of the Common Pierrot rosimon (Fabricius) (: Rhopalocera: )

11P. Harinath, V. Prasanna Kumar, 2 M.Venkata Reddy and 1 S.P. Venkata Ramana

1Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-Andhra Pradesh, Department of of Zoology, S.K.University, Anantapur, India

Abstract: In the environs of Lankamalai region (14°45' - 14°72' N and 79°07' - 78°80' E), the common pierrot (Fabricius) lays eggs singly on Zizyphus jujuba. The available thought the year with high frequency during September to November (post monsoon season). Enumeration of eggs, larvae and pupae on the host plants in the field and flight observation of adults on wings attest this seasonality. The life cycle from egg to adult emergence was relatively short spanning over 21-25 days. Success development of adults, larvae and pupae was 90-100 % during the said period. Short life cycle and high success development of life stages suggest the production of 12-13 broods in the year. The larvae pass through four instars and the nutritional indices across the instars mostly the ground flora with sugar concentrations ranging between 28-52% either with sucrose of glucose dominance. Nutritional indices Consumption index (CI) and Growth rate (GR) increase as the larvae aged, while approximate digestibility (AD) decreases, efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) are inversely related as age increased.

Key words: Instars Zizyphus jujuba Lankamalai Region Nutritional Indices Population Index

INTRODUCTION reproductive activity of the C. rosimon was found laying eggs on Z. jujuba. Eggs with the leaf material were In India butterfly populations declined in the past few brought to the laboratory and incubated at room decades and it was often suggested that captive breeding temperature (28°C) in the laboratory. Irrespective of the / rearing and releasing of in the wild helps to number of eggs laid, only one leaf was kept in each petri restock at risk populations and serves as a means of dish and watched at 6 hour intervals to record the conservation [1-4]. The butterflies are also increasingly hatching time. The intervals were shortened if necessary attested as indicators of environmental quality [5]. They after preliminary observations. The larvae that hatched accomplish pollination; a keystone ecological process in were also observed at fixed intervals for moulting until natural sustainability throughout the world [6]. The they pupated. Based on the number of moults, the number butterfly conservation was increasing day by day, of instars for each was determined. As the larvae successful planning and implementation of conservation completed their first of second instar stage, each was program requires complete knowledge of the life cycle, maintained in a large petri dish (15.5 cm) to facilitate free larval food plants for oviposition nectar resources for movement. The egg, individual larval instar, pupal and energy for adult flight and the microclimatic conditions egg to adult duration were recorded. Five replicates were needs for butterfly survival [7, 8]. We described here the maintained for each species. ecobiology of C. rosimon, in the environs of Lankamalai vegetations of Southern Andhra Pradesh. Food Consumption and Utilization: Food was changed daily and the petri dishes were kept clean by removing the MATERIALS AND METHODS food remains and faecal matter, which were later weighed and disposed off. For every instar its initial and final The present study was carried out from May 2011 to weights was taken and the weight gain noted. After April 2012. Study areas were regularly searched for the preliminary observations of food consumed by the

Corresponding Author: S.P. Venkata Ramana, Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-Andhra Pradesh, India. 216 World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012 larvae, 5-10 leaves were weighed and given to the larvae. suffused with dark scales. They are dimorphic. The The total food consumed by the larvae was calculated at wingspan was 24-34 mm (33.5±0.05 mm). They are the end of each instar period. Mean and standard univalent lays single egg at a time under the leaves of deviations were estimated for food consumed, weight of host plant. They feed on Z. jujuba. They lay eggs during faeces and weight gained by the larvae. The following 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm. parameters were estimated as in Waldbauer [9] formula. Life History: The eggs are laid single underneath of the Weight of food consumed CI (Consumption Index) = leaves of Z. jujuba. They are pale bluish green, round with Weight of instar x Number of feeding days flat bottom, attached to the leaf. The eggs incubated at room temperature of about 29°C hatched in about 3-4 Weight gain of instar GR (Growth rate) = days. Before hatching the eggs become dull in colour. The Mean weight of instar x Number of feeding days newly hatched larvae are green in colour, body is segmented and it measures 2.0-2.2 mm (2.1 ± 0.005 mm). Weight of food consumed - weight of faeces AD (Approximate digestibility) = x 100 It was flat on the bottom side and semi circle over the Weight of food consumed dorsal side. The anterior and posterior ends are semicircle and flat. From the anterior to the posterior end a band was ECD (Efficiency of present. The mouth was on dorsal side. We can observe Weight gain of instar conversion of digested food) = x 100 leaf defoliation method of feeding. Number of papillae was − Weight of food consumed weight of faeces seen on the dorsal side. This stage continues for 2-3 days and grows to 4.0-4.5 mm (4.5±0.007) by the end of first Weight gain of instar ECI (Efficiency of conversion of ingested food) = x 100 instar. The second instar remains for 2 to 3 days and Weight of food consumed grows up to 7.0-7.2 mm (7.1±0.2). The growth can be seen Five replications were made in respect of each both lengthwise and width wise. Its head was 1.5-1.8 mm parameters of food efficiency. The weights were (1.6±.002) long. The third instar feed most of the time than expressed in the units of milligrams. Food consumption the first two instars and it grows up to 8.0-8.5 mm and the growth of the larvae at each instar stage were (8.4±0.008 mm) long and body colour darkens. This stage recorded. The relation between food consumption and lasts for 2-3 days. In fourth, instar the red marks strip was growth of larvae was analyzed statistically by using Karl seen at the anterior end. At this stage, it feeds Pearson’s correlation and regression equation. The voraciously and grows up to 10.0-10.5mm (10.2±0.007) species life cycle and eco biology was studied based on turns to white colour and it loses the band on the dorsal ten samples. side this stage remains for 2-3days. The larva undergoes Investigations were made every month for recording contraction and thus becomes short and thick. The instar the different life cycle stages of C. rosimon (egg, larvae remains in white colour for 3 days. The fine hair on the and pupae) on 50 plants of Z. jujuba to work out lateral side generally lost and remains for 2 days and population index. forms shell around it pupates. This stage last for 5-6 days. The pupa was blackish brown in colour with blunt end at RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the posterior end and anterior end broad with a small bulge on the top. Towards anterior end prominent stripes Oviposition Host Plants: This butterfly found both in are present. The entire life cycle from eggs to adult plains and hill regions of Lankamalai, flying at low emergence was completed in 21-25 days (Fig. 1). heights throughout the year recorded and abundant after rainy season. It heavily feeds on the floral nectar of the Development Success of Eggs, Larvae and Pupae: The plant Z. jujuba and uses the same plant for ovipositing laboratory study results hatching success rate of 50- 90% and larval feeding. They fly close to ground and mud during January - November with higher rate recorded puddles. during September - November (post monsoon season). Success rate of larval development varied between Adult: The hind wing was having white tipped black tails. 50-89%, with higher rate occurring during September - Underneath conspicuously marked with black spots and November (post monsoon season). Pupal development streaks on white. Square black spots are more on varied between from 50-88%, with higher rate being underneath of forewing, upper portion white with dark evident during September - November (post monsoon borders and black spots. The female has basal area season).

217 World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012

AB C

DE F

G A. Adult E. Instar III B. Egg F. Instar IV C. Instar I (Magnified 3 x) G. Pupa D. Instar II

Fig. 1: Life stages of Castalius rosimon

Fig. 2: Population index of eggs, larvae, pupae of Castalius rosimon based on the investigations of 50 Zizyphus jujuba plants

Population Index: The numerical frequency of the November (Post monsoon season), which correspond natural occurrence of the life stages - eggs, larvae and post monsoon in study locality. pupae, on host plant Z. jujuba was given (Fig. 2). All stages could be spotted out during September -

218 World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012

Table 1: Food consumption and larval weight gain of Castalius rosimon larva on Zizyphus jujuba leaves Instar No Weight of food ingested (mg) Wt. of faecal matter (mg) Wt. gain by larva (mg) I 0.1510±0.98 0.005±0.02 0.002±0.18 II 0.2550±1.90 0.06±0.310 0.015±1.41 III 0.2810±2.70 0.081±0.92 0.032±1.41 IV 0.3270±5.10 0.164±1.21 0.056±2.30

Table 2: Food indices and utilization efficiency of larval stages of Castalius rosimon Instar No GR (mg/day/mg) CI (mg/day/mg) AD % ECD % ECI % I 0.236 0.44 77.5 10.15 7.86 II 0.763 0.28 67.67 19.01 12.86 III 2.315 0.33 67.23 24.3 16.33 IV 3.55 0.35 48.24 38.8 42.83 GR = Growth rate, CI = consumption index, AD = Approximate digestibility, ECD = Efficiency of conversion of digested food, ECI = Efficiency of conversion of ingested food

1.00 low conversion efficiency of ingested food. GR range from

y) 0.236-3.55 Scriber and Feeny [10] found higher growth da .75 rates in penultimate than in final instars. The GR of penultimate and final instars of butterfly species of

.50 present study is in line with the increasing trend in growth rate from penultimate to final instars. Thus, an increase in

.25 both consumption and growth occurred through the larvae ages. Such an increase was considered essential to Larval body weight (mg / / (mg Larval body weight

0.00 accumulate energy-rich fat to meet the metabolic 0.00 .25 .50 .75 1.00 requirements of non-feeding pupal and adult stages Total food consumption (mg / day) [9, 11-14]. AD values range from 77.5-48.24 the decrease in Fig. 3: Relationship between food consumption and AD values signifies the selective feeding of last stage growth in Castalius rosimon instar as the host plant has high nutritional levels. The larvae ingest a larger proportion of indigestible Food Indices: The data relatively to the quantitative crude fiber as they become aged which influences AD assessment of food consumption, weight gain and the values to decrease along the successive instars [9, 15, 16]. values of five nutritional indices for different instars are The values of ECD across the instars showed an given (Table 1). The food consumption and weight that increasing trend from 10.15-38.8 from early to late instars. gain by the successive instars ran on similar lines. An inverse relation is expected between assimilation Regression of weight gain on food intake revealed a efficiency AD (77.5-48.24) and efficiency of conversion straight line relationship between the two events with of digested food or net conversion efficiency ECD correlation coefficient obtain at r value (r = 0.968) at 0.01 (10.15-38.8). Present study values correlates with the level and t value =8.011. This reveals the significance, above statement. The efficiency conversion of digested between the food intake and weight gained with advances food increases signifies the high utilization of digested of instar (Fig. 3). food for successive growth. Efficiency of conversion of The values of relative growth increased and ingested food or gross conversion efficiency ECI is a consumption index tended to increase from instar II to IV, product of AD and ECD [9]. The values of ECI may instar I had a highest value of Consumption index. The increase, decreases or show little changes depending on values of AD (Approximate digestibility) decreased the extent to which the changes in AD and ECD through instars, the values of both ECD (Efficiency of compensate each other [14]. The ECI values in the present conversion of digested food) and ECI (Efficiency of study varied 7.86-42.83. They showed a continuous conversion of ingested food) showed a similar pattern increase from first instar to late instar. The greater ECI with an increase from instars I to IV (Table 2). values show the ideal growth and food conversion to The CI values of the first instar has very high value biomass though consumed at slower rate and high ECD later suddenly decreases in instar II and then gradually values (10.15-38.8) shows efficiency of assimilated food increases from instar II to instar IV. The high consumption between biomass production and metabolic costs as the index of early instars and corresponding low ECI is due to instars grows.

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