Abstract
AbstractThe effect of temperature on rate of development and survival of the immature stages of a subtropical population of the black jezebel,Delias nigrina, was studied under laboratory conditions at a range of constant temperatures. Mean developmental times from first‐instar larva to adult varied from 29 days at 27°C to 52 days at 19°C; the development threshold temperature and thermal constant were estimated to be 9°C and 494 degree‐days, respectively. Larval developmental rates reached physiological maximum at the higher temperatures tested (25−27°C). Pupal development, by contrast, was not affected in the same way as larvae by higher temperature. Survival of the immature stages varied inversely with temperature: survival was highest at 19°C and significantly reduced at 27°C. Mortality at the higher temperature was attributable mainly to final‐instar larvae and pupae. These findings indicate that, compared with other tropical pierids that have been studied,D. nigrinahas: (i) a comparatively low temperature threshold; (ii) a slow rate of development; and (iii) a poor tolerance to moderately high temperatures. Physiologically, these features are more characteristic of a temperate butterfly than a tropical one. This physiological response appears to be reflected by the temperate nature of the genus as a whole, which may be related to its period of origin and evolution during past climatic events.
Published Version
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