Lycaenidae Research Articles

First description of the females of Qinorapalaqinlingana Chou & Wang, 1995 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from Shaanxi and Sichuan Provinces, western China.

The family Lycaenidae is a widely distributed and species-rich group with approximately 5300 described species. The rare genus Qinorapala Chou & Wang, with Q.qinlingana Chou & Wang as its type species was established as monotypic. In the original description, Q.qinlingana was described from a male holotype; the female remained unknown. To date, the genus is only recorded from the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces). In this study, two female specimens, from Shaanxi Province and western Sichuan Province (bordering Yunnan Province) are described and illustrated for the first time. Female specimens of Q.qinlingana from Shaanxi and Sichuan are described for the first time. The species' distribution is updated and a distribution map is provided.

Endangered white-spotted Ketsi Blue butterfly Lepidochrysops ketsi leucomacula in KwaZulu-Natal

The appropriate management of the habitat of the endangered and endemic White-spotted Ketsi Blue butterfly, Lepidochrysops ketsi leucomacula Henning & Henning, 1994, is necessary for its survival. Much of the life history and ecology of this butterfly are unknown. The oviposition plant was found to be Selago tarachodes Hilliard and the plants that were observed to be visited by L. k. leucomacula for nectar all had pink flowers. Monitoring of two populations of L. k. leucomacula in protected areas commenced in March 2022. Surveillance and walked transects were the monitoring methods used. Observed threats to this endangered butterfly in protected areas were uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock and mowing of its grassland habitat. Fencing of its grassland habitat may be a way to control these threats.

A Gis-Based Local Species Distribution Model and Population Monitoring of the Endangered Mission Blue Butterfly, Icaricia icarioides missionensis (Lycaenidae), at the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed

A Gis-Based Local Species Distribution Model and Population Monitoring of the Endangered Mission Blue Butterfly, Icaricia icarioides missionensis (Lycaenidae), at the San Francisco Peninsula Watershed

Insect Pest Complex of Field Pea Crop

A study on diverse insect pest complex of field pea was made in both the years of experimentation i.e. during Rabi, 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Crop Research Centre, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut. As many as 15 insect species were recorded during the study period which belongs to different orders viz. Orthoptera (one species), Hemiptera (four species), Lepidoptera (seven species), Isoptera (one species) and Diptera (two species). All the major parts of this legume plant viz., pod/seed, leaf, root and stem were found to be infested by the insect pests. Sucking insect pests appear during the seedling and vegetative stage of crop i.e. 1st week of December to 2nd week of January. Gram pod borer, pea pod borer and blue butterfly are the pod borer complex that appeared from flowering to maturity stage i.e. 1st week of January to 2nd week of February. Among all the fifteen insect pests, only two pod borers, Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were found as major pests of field pea with severe economic status to this area during successive Rabi, seasons.

Towards a genomic resolution of the Phengaris alcon species complex

AbstractTaxonomic entities below the species level often pose difficulties for conservation practice, especially when they are ecologically distinct from the nominal species. Genomic tools provide the opportunity to study and potentially resolve such cryptic diversity. The Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon species complex is such a cryptic example, comprising different ecotypes or even subspecies, one of them is the high elevation taxon P. rebeli from the European Alps. We sequenced a first reference genome for Phengaris alcon. Furthermore, we generated whole genome resequence data for individuals of three Swiss ecotypes, i.e., the low elevation P. alcon, the mid elevation and high elevation alpine P. rebeli and integrated genomic data from across Europe to study the relationship among these ecotypes. At a European scale, our results suggest that for the P. alcon complex, biogeography and the evolutionary context of diversification is more multifaceted than previously suggested, falling in the range of more recent ecological speciation. In Switzerland, the three ecotypes were genetically isolated with only limited current gene flow between them. Past gene flow, however, could have given rise to the mid elevation ecotype. Our findings emphasise that high elevation P. rebeli in the Alps should be treated as a distinct species. Our study highlights how the availability of reference genome assemblies allows to address so far open taxonomic questions in conservation research and that broadscale studies are needed to understand the biogeographic history of apparent diversification.

Diversity and colonization of butterfly (Lepidoptera) on Pasoso Island, Central Sulawesi

Various biotic and abiotic environmental factors influence the preservation of butterfly species in an area. The pressure and threat of extinction for butterflies that occupy relatively narrow and isolated habitats such as small islands are pretty large. This study aims to estimate the diversity of butterfly species, predict colonization, predict local extinction of butterflies, and conservation implications to minimize local extinction of butterflies in the habitat type on Pasoso Island, Central Sulawesi Province. Data was collected using field observations in four land cover types (primary forest, gardens, “ecoton” between garden-primary forests, and shrubs) on a 100 m line transect line. Each line transect is divided into point counts, with a distance between points of 100 m. The results of the identification of butterfly species in four habitat types on Pasoso Island found 16 species from 78 individual butterflies belonging to four families (Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Lycaenidae). Butterflies in all habitat types on Pasoso Island are in the moderate category. Species diversity in garden habitat types based on the analysis of the Shannon-Wiener index showed higher than other habitat types (H'=1.89), while the Ecoton habitat type has the lowest diversity value (H'=1.06). The results of the t-test showed that there was no significant difference in the diversity of butterfly species in the four habitats. The results showed that colonization and local extinction occurred in butterfly species on Pasoso Island. Four of the nine species are included in the extinct category, namely Apias albina, Family Lycaenidae, Ideopsis juventa, Phalanta alcippe celebensis Wallacea. Five other species were colonized, namely Arhopala araxes, Catochrysops strabo, Catopsilia pomona, Hypolimnas anomala, and Idea blanchardii.

Discriminatory of some morphometry and biological aspects of the Cycad blue butterfly, Chilades pandava reared on Cycas and Zamia ornamental palms.

The serious blue butterfly, Chilades pandava -Horsfield, 1829- (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is consider one of the main destructive insect pests for ornamental palms Cycas and Zamia. Biological and morphological measurements were carried out of C. pandava stages reared on Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) and Zamia encephalartoides (Zamiaceae). In description details, non-significant variations were recorded between the two gender of cycad blue butterfly in the obtained data, but the male adult was more densely blue or violet than female adult. By the aid of SEM, C. pandava all stages were distinct by long and thick hairs covered all the body. The morphometric characters namely, length, width and venation of wings, body length, forewing, hindwing could be as a guide for taxonomic discrimination. The data showed that the life cycle duration of C. pandava was ranged between 20.64 to 21.7 days. The developmental periods of different C. pandava stages are slightly higher on zamia than cycas palms. This investigation detected that a high survival rate was found on Cycas palms (86%) than the survived rate recording on Zamia palms (82%). In the present study, the described morphometric characters could be used as a guide for taxonomic discrimination of this pest. Consequently, this study added a valuable knowledge about C. pandava to have sound decisions for proposal of its management and conservation in Egypt.

Butterflies and Their Conservation Status on the Campus of Sant Guru Ghasidas Government P.G. College Kurud, Chhattisgarh, India

Chhattisgarh state has a rich diversity of butterflies with a total of 170 species in its diver’s habitat as hilly terrain, plateaus, plains, and agroforest land, including the campuses and backyards in between human colonies. The present study has been carried out in an academic campus of Sant Guru Ghasidas Government Post Graduate College Kurud; district Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, India. We observed 56 species of butterflies taxonomically placed under five families in which the family Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae have been dominated over the rest three as family Pieridae, Hesperiidae and Papilionoidae. Out of 56 species, nine species were legally protected under Wildlife Protection Act – 1972, with six listed under schedule – II and three under schedule-I.

Efficiency of emergency conservation methods: a case study of the alcon blue butterfly (Phengaris alcon) and its specific parasitoid

A complicated life history and specific habitat requirements make the Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon a very sensitive species to land-use change. Eggs are oviposited on some Gentiana and Gentianella plants, in whose flowerheads larvae initially feed, after which they continue their development as social parasites in the nests of specific Myrmica ants, once they have been adopted by workers. One of the main threats to their existence is mowing at a time when most individuals are still on gentians. In our research, we tested an emergency conservation method on a site of the butterfly subjected to this kind of pressure in the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland). Previous studies showed that the focal population (dependent on Gentiana pneumonanthe and Myrmica scabrinodis) was characterized by an extremely high density of adults as well as of Ichneumon eumerus, i.e. the rare and specific parasitoid of P. alcon. In mid-August 2020 we performed an unplanned experiment to save caterpillars present in freshly cut plants. We selected about 1800 shoots bearing the eggs or egg shells of the butterfly. Seven hundred and fifty preadoption larvae were transported to the site and placed close to the nests of host ants located in patches without G. pneumonanthe. In the following season we observed that the P. alcon infestation rate of experimental colonies was similar to a control patch, and proportions of parasited pupae did not differ, either.Implications for conservation. Our experiment proved that such actions can be highly effective as emergency conservation methods, and possibly also in (re)introductions of P. alcon.

Extinction risk modeling predicts range-wide differences of climate change impact on Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)

The Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis, or Kbb), a federally endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in decline due to habitat loss, can be further threatened by climate change. Evaluating how climate shapes the population trend of the Kbb can help in the development of adaptive management plans. Current demographic models for the Kbb incorporate in either a density-dependent or density-independent manner. We instead created mixed density-dependent and -independent (hereafter “endo-exogenous”) models for Kbbs based on long-term count data of five isolated populations in the upper Midwest, United States during two flight periods (May to June and July to August) to understand how the growth rates were related to previous population densities and abiotic environmental conditions, including various macro- and micro-climatic variables. Our endo-exogenous extinction risk models showed that both density-dependent and -independent components were vital drivers of the historical population trends. However, climate change impacts were not always detrimental to Kbbs. Despite the decrease of population growth rate with higher overwinter temperatures and spring precipitations in the first generation, the growth rate increased with higher summer temperatures and precipitations in the second generation. We concluded that finer spatiotemporally scaled models could be more rewarding in guiding the decision-making process of Kbb restoration under climate change.

Population Dynamics of Insect Pests of Pea

The seasonal incidence of major insect pests on pea Pisum sativum at different growth stages has been assessed in this study. Major pests observed include gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), blue butterfly Lampedes boeticus (L.), pea leaf miner Chromatomyia horticola Goureau and pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). These results revealed that peak incidence of H. armigera (7.80 larvae/ plant) and L. boeticus (8.60 larvae/ plant) was during the 8th and 9th SMW, respectively; while for C. horticola (5.50 larvae/ leaf) and A. pisum (94.1 aphids/ plant) it was 5th SMW. Helicoverpa armigera incidence revealed a significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r= -0.628) while for L. boeticus it was positive one with maximum temperature (r= 0.604). The incidence of C. horticola was observed to be significantly negatively correlated with minimum temperature and rainfall (r= -0.826 and r= -0.584, respectively); while A. pisum revealed a significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r= -0.806).

A meta-analysis of butterfly structural colors: their color range, distribution and biological production.

Butterfly scales are among the richest natural sources of optical nanostructures, which produce structural color and iridescence. Several recurring nanostructure types have been described, such as ridge multilayers, gyroids and lower lamina thin films. While the optical mechanisms of these nanostructure classes are known, their phylogenetic distributions and functional ranges have not been described in detail. In this Review, we examine a century of research on the biological production of structural colors, including their evolution, development and genetic regulation. We have also created a database of more than 300 optical nanostructures in butterflies and conducted a meta-analysis of the color range, abundance and phylogenetic distribution of each nanostructure class. Butterfly structural colors are ubiquitous in short wavelengths but extremely rare in long wavelengths, especially red. In particular, blue wavelengths (around 450 nm) occur in more clades and are produced by more kinds of nanostructures than other hues. Nanostructure categories differ in prevalence, phylogenetic distribution, color range and brightness. For example, lamina thin films are the least bright; perforated lumen multilayers occur most often but are almost entirely restricted to the family Lycaenidae; and 3D photonic crystals, including gyroids, have the narrowest wavelength range (from about 450 to 550 nm). We discuss the implications of these patterns in terms of nanostructure evolution, physical constraint and relationships to pigmentary color. Finally, we highlight opportunities for future research, such as analyses of subadult and Hesperid structural colors and the identification of genes that directly build the nanostructures, with relevance for biomimetic engineering.

Negative density-dependence buffers against mismatch-induced population decline in the Sinai baton blue butterfly.

Phenological mismatches caused by climate change pose a major threat to global biodiversity, yet relatively few studies have reported population declines resulting from mismatch. It has been hypothesised that density effects may underlie this lack of observed responses by buffering against mismatch-induced population decline. We developed an individual-based model of the critically endangered Sinai baton blue butterfly (Pseudophilotes sinaicus) and its hostplant Sinai thyme (Thymus decussatus), parameterised using real field data, to test this hypothesis. Our model showed that the baton blue experiences demographic consequences under only 5 days of phenological mismatch, but that this threshold was increased to 14days with the inclusion of density-dependent juvenile mortality. The inclusion of density effects also led to the replication of population cycles observed in nature, supporting the ability of our model to accurately represent the baton blue's ecology. These results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that density effects may underlie the observed lack of demographic responses to mismatch in wild populations. However, these buffers may be short-lived in extreme mismatch scenarios, providing a false sense of security against a looming threat of population collapse.

A Review On The Diversity Of Butterfly (Insecta: Lepidoptera) Fauna From Bangladesh

Butterflies are widely regarded as the most reliable bioindicators of a healthy terrestrial ecosystem. This insect belongs to the order Lepidoptera of the class Insecta and plays an important role in preserving ecological dynamics. The objective of this paper is to review the species diversity of butterflies in Bangladesh. The data is based mainly on published records and field sampling. IUCN Bangladesh (2015) evaluated the threat status of 305 species of butterflies in 2015. The overall number of butterfly species in Bangladesh is now 421, with another 116 having just been added to the IUCN-Bangladesh list. Lycaenidae has the most species (124), followed by Hesperiidae (87), Nymphalidae (79), Satyridae (35), Pieridae (36), Papilionidae (32), Danaidae (19), Riodinidae (4), Amathusiidae (4), and finally Acraeidae, which has only one species. In the present review, it is shown that the family Lycaenidae has the highest percentage of butterfly species (29.45%) among the ten families. The number of Lycaenid butterflies is influenced by various factors, one of which is their ability to inhabit a diverse array of habitats. In contrast, Danaidae account for only 4.51% species of butterflies in Bangladesh, where only one Critically Endangered (CR) and endemic taxon, Euploea crameri nicevillei (Sundarban Crow) resides. Larval host plant documentation in the Sundarbans is essential for the conservation of this species, while the molecular data (COI gene) has already been sequenced and submitted to Genbank (MH269417). Finally, the data obtained from this paper is important for future planning and management of the conservation of the butterflies and their habitat in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Zool. 51(1): 03-34, 2023

Exploring spatial and temporal patterns of viral infection across populations of the Melissa blue butterfly

Abstract Identifying patterns of pathogen infection in natural systems is crucial to understanding mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions. In this study, we explored how Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDV) infection varies over space and time in populations of the Melissa blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa: Lycaenidae) using two different host plants. Collections of L. melissa adults from multiple populations and years, along with host plant tissue and community samples of arthropods found on host plants, were screened to determine JcDV prevalence and load. Additionally, we sampled at multiple time points within a single L. melissa flight season to investigate intra‐annual variation in infection patterns. We found population‐specific variation in viral prevalence of L. melissa across collection years, with historical samples potentially having higher viral prevalence than contemporary samples, although host plant diet was not informative for these patterns. Patterns of infection across multiple generations within a flight season showed that late‐season samples had a higher proportion of JcDV‐positive individuals, suggesting an accumulation of virus over the season. Sequence data from a segment of the JcDV capsid gene showed a lack of viral genetic diversity between L. melissa collected from different localities, and little to no viral particles were found in the surrounding environment. Our discovery of temporal variation in infection suggests that multiple sampling efforts must be made when describing pathogen prevalence in multivoltine hosts. Our findings represent an important first step towards further exploration of the ecological factors mediating disease prevalence and host‐specific variability of infection in wild insect populations.

Phylogenetic Structure Revealed through Combining DNA Barcodes with Multi-Gene Data for Agrodiaetus Blue Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae).

The need for multi-gene analysis in evolutionary and taxonomic studies is generally accepted. However, the sequencing of multiple genes is not always possible. For various reasons, short mitochondrial DNA barcodes are the only source of molecular information for some species in many genera, although multi-locus data are available for other species of the same genera. In particular, such situation exists in the species-rich butterfly subgenus Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus). Here, we analyzed the partitioning of this subgenus into species groups by using three data sets. The first data set was represented by short mitochondrial DNA barcodes for all analyzed samples. The second and third data sets were represented by a combination of short mitochondrial DNA barcodes for part of the taxa with longer mitochondrial sequences COI + tRNA-Leu + COII (data set 2) and with longer mitochondrial COI + tRNA-Leu + COII and nuclear 5.8S rDNA + ITS2 + 28S rDNA sequences (data set 3) for the remaining species. We showed that the DNA barcoding approach (data set 1) failed to reveal the phylogenetic structure, resulting in numerous polytomies in the tree obtained. Combined analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear sequences (data sets 2 and 3) revealed the species groups and the position within these species groups, even for the taxa for which only short DNA barcodes were available.

Live Detection of Intracellular Chitin in Butterfly Wing Epithelial Cells In Vivo Using Fluorescent Brightener 28: Implications for the Development of Scales and Color Patterns.

Chitin is the major component of the extracellular cuticle and plays multiple roles in insects. In butterflies, chitin builds wing scales for structural colors. Here, we show that intracellular chitin in live cells can be detected in vivo with fluorescent brightener 28 (FB28), focusing on wing epithelial cells of the small lycaenid butterfly Zizeeria maha immediately after pupation. A relatively small number of cells at the apical surface of the epithelium were strongly FB28-positive in the cytosol and seemed to have extensive ER-Golgi networks, which may be specialized chitin-secreting cells. Some cells had FB28-positive tadpole-tail-like or rod-like structures relative to the nucleus. We detected FB28-positive hexagonal intracellular objects and their associated structures extending toward the apical end of the cell, which may be developing scale bases and shafts. We also observed FB28-positive fibrous intracellular structures extending toward the basal end. Many cells were FB28-negative in the cytosol, which contained FB28-positive dots or discs. The present data are crucial to understanding the differentiation of the butterfly wing epithelium, including scale formation and color pattern determination. The use of FB28 in probing intracellular chitin in live cells may be applicable to other insect systems.

Geographical variation in parasitoid communities and the cause of enemy-free space in a range-expanding myrmecophilous lycaenid butterfly

Abstract Range expansions of host species are likely to modify host–parasitoid interactions. Observational studies have indicated that host species in recently colonized areas are less frequently attacked by parasitoids; however, these studies did not determine whether traditional parasitoids can still use host populations in these areas. Thus, it is unclear why the host has escaped from their traditional parasitoids in their recently colonized areas. In this study, we examined the interaction between myrmecophilous lycaenid butterfly, Arhopala japonica, and its larval parasitoids in northern Japan, a recently colonised area. This region corresponds to a distribution of A. japonica, a myrmecophilous lycaenid butterfly. No parasitoids emerged from A. japonica larvae collected in the north, whereas six parasitoid species attacked the host larvae in native areas. Attacks from the braconid wasp Cotesia sp. near inducta were the most common; however, parasitism tests revealed that Cotesia sp. near inducta and other parasitoid species completed their development successfully regardless of origin of their butterfly hosts. Population genetic analyses supported the recent range expansion of both A. japonica and Cotesia sp. near inducta. These results suggest that both hosts and parasitoids have experienced recent population expansion; however, the more rapid range expansion of A. japonica has caused escape from the enemy in newly colonized areas.

Blue Morpho

SummaryIn what why can fiction help us craft and share ethnographic work when life is in flux and the people with whom we live with also have a hard time making “rational” sense of what is happening to them? This ethnographic fiction about love, quandary, and rebirth is set against the deep crisis in Venezuela—money has become worthless, families are shattered, mutual trust has evaporated, jobs and food are scarce, and everyone is trying to make a living. The creative endeavour arose during online exchanges with research participants and friends, the re‐reading of fieldnotes, and the surfacing of poignant memories while growing up with a Venezuelan family twenty years ago. The plot around the butterfly coalesced with these personal memories and an emerging understanding of natural abundance, human, fragility, and metamorphosis in how Venezuelans make sense of loss and inequality. The storyline follows the life of Marianela, an upper middle‐class woman born and bred in Caracas, who ends up in a goldmine in the south of Venezuela with her three‐year daughter Alba. One day, at the Brazilian border, a blue butterfly warns her that her beloved caretaker passed away. To overcome this loss, Marianela intents to finally break away from subjugation.

Microwave assisted synthesis method for cobalt nanoleaves and its usage in sensitive determination of lead in blue butterfly tea extract and tap water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Microwave assisted synthesis method for cobalt nanoleaves and its usage in sensitive determination of lead in blue butterfly tea extract and tap water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry