Early stages of Nilgiri Grass Yellow Eurema nilgiriensis (Yata, 1990) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), with a note on its range extension in the Kerala part of the Western Ghats, India

Balakrishnan Valappil,V.k.chandrasekharan V.K.Chandrasekharan

doi:10.11609/jott.5365.12.9.16161-16165

Abstract

Complete documentation of the early stages of Eurema nilgiriensis (Yata) on the larval host plant Ventilago bombaiensis (Rhamnaceae) is presented in this paper. In addition to this, notes on the range extensions of this species in southern Western Ghats in Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts in Kerala is also provided. Field records from the northern Kerala part of the Western Ghats and the complete biology are reported for the first time since its description in 1990. Photographic records from seven locations since 2011 were confirmed by comparing with the original descriptions and in consultation with the author of the species. Eggs collected from field were reared at home, and every stage observed is also reported, as well as the discovery of the host plant Ventilago bombaiensis. It is concluded that the species is widespread in forested areas at elevations from 70m to 1,000m.

Highlights

We thank Osamu Yata, Kyushu University, Japan, for his help in confirming the images of Eurema nilgiriensis taken from Kakkayam and for sharing his original paper describing E. nilgiriensis
The same method of keeping the caterpillars and the host plant in closed containers were followed throughout the rearing process to keep the leaves fresh
Range extension Since the description of this species, no images of the live butterfly were published until November 2016. This was not due to the rarity of the species, but rather all images of the species taken from the Western Ghats were erroneously identified as One-spot Grass Yellow (E. andersoni), without detailed scrutiny

Summary

Introduction

We thank Osamu Yata, Kyushu University, Japan, for his help in confirming the images of Eurema nilgiriensis taken from Kakkayam and for sharing his original paper describing E. nilgiriensis. Materials and Methods While on a usual butterfly watching trip in the forested tracts of the Kerala part of the Western Ghats, we encountered a female Nilgiri Grass Yellow laying eggs on a climber in a private plantation near a stream at Kakkad (11.494°N & 75.962°E, 50m) near Engapuzha, Kozhikode District, Kerala, on 24 December 2017 at 11.25h. The eggs were collected and reared in closed plastic containers at room temperature (25–30°C) with fresh leaves of the larval food plant.

Results

Conclusion