Effects of Temperature on the Development of Chinese Windmill Butterfly, Atrophaneura alcinous (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Abstract

The Chinese windmill butterfly, Atrophaneura alcinous, is an important butterfly for exhibition in butterfly garden. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of temperature on A. alcinous in the laboratory. Development of A. alcinous reared on leaves of Aristolochia contorta was investigated at five constant the laboratory condition (20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>) and at relative humidity of 60% with a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D). Temperatures have been suggested as an important determinant of developmental rate, lifespan and mortality in invertebrates. As the temperature increased, the length of the developmental period gradually decreased. The developmental time (pupation) from egg hatching to pupation was respectively 25.8, 23.6, 19.6, 15.5, and 12.9 days at the temperatures of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>. And pupation was respectively 40.0, 30.0, 63.4, 50.0, 23.3% at the temperatures of 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>. The developmental threshold temperature estimated for egg-to-pupae was 10.8, with a thermal constant of 230.4 degree-days. Therefore, the optimal developmental temperature for A. alninous was determined to be <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>. To compare the effects of the total duration of chilling on the termination of diapause, larvae were subjected to a temperature of <TEX>$8^{\circ}C$</TEX> from 60 to 120 days. The rate of termination of diapause was significantly higher at 60 days compared to other incubation period.