Larval Food Plants Research Articles

ADULT LONGEVITY OF Idea blanchardii (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE) CAPTIVE BRED AT LIPI BUTTERFLY BREEDING FACILITY, CIBINONG, INDONESIA

Idea blanchardii is one of many endemic butterfly species in Sulawesi, Indonesia. This species is among the highly traded butterfly species thus requires biological information on the captive breeding. The aim of this study was to obtain data on the adult life-span, to report the multivoltine generation, and to provide conservation-related insight. Captive breeding research on this species was conducted within the period of September 2018 until February 2020. The host plant, Parsonsia alboflavescens, was used to support the life of this species for ovipositing and larval food plant. The adults would visit almost any flowers available at the facility. In total, 696 individuals were observed. Data on mating information of the species is presented here. Observations on when a female lays eggs are also revealed. This research showed that I. blanchardii is polygamous and polyandrous. Individuals of this species could live much longer than other butterfly species. A few could live over 80 days and one still seen laying eggs at the age of 136 days old.

Clear-cuts support the metapopulation of a critically endangered butterfly

Clear-cutting is believed to have a negative impact on forest biodiversity, but numerous studies have also shown its positive effects, especially in temperate and boreal regions. This phenomenon is mainly related to the creation of early successional habitats that serve as temporary meadows. Among the species that benefit the most are those associated with semi-natural grasslands, i.e. biotopes that have been disappearing from the landscape due to agricultural intensification. A good example is the Danube Clouded Yellow Colias myrmidone, one of the most endangered butterflies in Europe. Its last lowland metapopulation in the EU exists in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland), but the species occurrence is limited to the eastern parts of this large forest complex. All currently known habitats are forest clear-cuts located mainly on former agricultural land, i.e. mostly extensively used pastures that were afforested in the 20th century. Chamaecytisus ruthenicus, the only local larval food plant of C. myrmidone, is currently found almost exclusively in first-generation forests. Logging allows the host plants to flourish, and clear-cuts are colonized by the butterfly. In 2022, intensive mark-release-recapture studies were carried out in the focal metapopulation. The estimated metapopulation size was 4643 adults, indicating a six-fold increase compared to previous studies conducted in 2017. This was plausibly mainly due to the increase in the area of potential habitats, as butterfly densities were very similar in both seasons. The improved connectivity between habitat patches resulted in a very high proportion of dispersing individuals successfully reaching other patches, which is in contrast to the dispersal mortality of ca. 50% observed five years earlier. A relatively high mobility was also observed in the case of the much smaller spring generation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document a reversal of selection against dispersal and it demonstrates that such changes can occur relatively quickly, i.e. within a few generations. In order to ensure the long-term persistence of the viable C. myrmidone metapopulation and mitigate the negative effects of climate change, a network of stable forest-steppe-like habitats in combination with the creation of clear-cuts in forest stands with presence of C. ruthenicus would be optimal. To achieve this, we recommend leaving some selected clear-cuts without replanting to restore grasslands (through grazing and removal of excess trees, shrubs and invasive plants), while the suitability of ephemeral habitats could be improved through appropriate silvicultural measures.

Contrasting responses to microhabitat and temperature determine breeding habitat differentiation between two Viola‐feeding butterflies

Abstract Since widespread monitoring began in 1976 in the UK, habitat‐specialist butterfly populations have declined dramatically. The main driver is habitat degradation, caused primarily by land‐use change, perhaps interacting with changes in vegetation phenology. Here, we focus on two declining species: Boloria selene (Dennis & Schiffermüller) and Boloria euphrosyne L., Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae. We hypothesise that these species differ in their preferred breeding habitat, and this is driven by differences in their temperature preferences, mediated by vegetation cover. We use mark‐release‐recapture techniques and oviposition observations to characterise and compare adult distribution, habitat use and oviposition site preferences of the two species. Egg‐laying females of both species are shown to occur in areas with relatively high abundance of the larval food plants, Viola spp. (violets), principally V. riviniana, and they oviposit where Viola spp. abundance is locally high. However, in contrast to B. selene, ovipositing B. euphrosyne tends to occur in areas with relatively short and sparse cover of vegetation. B. euphrosyne oviposit in sites with a relatively high plant surface temperature irrespective of ambient temperatures, in contrast with B. selene in which the temperature of oviposition sites increases as ambient temperature increases. These differential temperature strategies likely underlie differences in breeding habitat preference. Microclimatic cooling caused by increased vegetation growth in spring may be one reason B. euphrosyne is declining in the UK, while both B. euphrosyne and B. selene may be affected by declining Viola spp. availability. Our data provide further evidence that drivers of butterfly declines can be multi‐factorial, and paradoxically, that thermophilic species do not necessarily benefit from climate warming if responses of other species result in cooling of their habitats.

A checklist of European butterfly larval foodplants.

Butterflies are charismatic insects and have been well studied, particularly in Europe. They are disproportionately used in generating and testing hypotheses; on everything from general evolutionary processes, such as speciation or host association dynamics; to conservation-related studies, such as climate change or habitat loss. Accurate lists of the larval foodplants for European butterflies are not readily available. Mistakes are propagated and information cannot be checked for accuracy. The level of evidence is unknown, and how usage varies between countries is poorly understood. The study consulted 1119 references to produce 19,488 records of larval foodplants for European butterflies. This resulted in 5589 larval host plant records for 464 European butterfly species, with multiple references, enabling information to be checked. Information was unavailable for 59 species. The level of evidence for each relationship shows the current state of knowledge. Significant issues were identified for 3.9% of records extracted from references due to mistakes, ambiguous or unknown plant names, distribution issues, resulting in information being lost. Plants with questionable distributions suggest either mis-identification or species that have been split. Little is known about plant usage in Eastern Europe. The larval foodplants of many monophagous and Satyrinae butterflies are poorly studied. Only 63% of threatened 2010 Red Listed butterflies have reliable host plant records. The study has provided ecologists with a valuable resource, of a more accurate checklist of the larval foodplants for each European country. Why plant usage varies over a butterfly's distribution opens up some interesting research questions.

Larval Host Plants of the Butterflies under Papilionidae Family of the Western Ghats, India

Butterflies are flying jewels of nature. They are very diverse and has a great role the ecosystem maintenance. Butterflies are widely used as model insects in various studies related to evolution, ethology, insect - plant interactions and distribution (Settele & Kühn, 2009; Rayalu et al,, 2013). Butterflies are among the most studied group of insects in relation to the selection of larval food plants and egg laying patterns and behavior. In relation to the larval food plant selection, considerable amount of database is available on the butterflies and their behavior. These studies have been carried out in almost all geographic regions of the world. (Wilkund, 1984; Kelly & Debinski, 1998; Settele et al., 2009; Curtis et al., 2015; Nitin et al., 2018; Robinson et al., 2001; Rayalu et al., 2013, Hill et al., 2018). Butterflies are one of the most interesting and fascinating insect groups. Butterflies widely appreciated for their aesthetic value are important as ecological indicators [1]. One fifth of the world’s total butterflies are available in India. The butterflies are selective in their choice of flowers and plants they visit. Butterflies and their caterpillars are dependent on specific host plants for foliage, nectar and pollen as their food. Selection of food plants for the immature stages by the adult females is a well-known fact in butterflies and other group of insects. Thus, butterfly diversity indirectly reflects overall plant diversity, especially that of herbs and shrubs, in the given area

Rapid evolution of novel biotic interactions in the UK Brown Argus butterfly uses genomic variation from across its geographical range.

Understanding the rate and extent to which populations can adapt to novel environments at their ecological margins is fundamental to predicting the persistence of biological communities during ongoing and rapid global change. Recent range expansion in response to climate change in the UK butterfly Aricia agestis is associated with the evolution of novel interactions with a larval food plant, and the loss of its ability to use an ancestral host species. Using ddRAD analysis of 61,210 variable SNPs from 261 females from throughout the UK range of this species, we identify genomic regions at multiple chromosomes that are associated with evolutionary responses, and their association with demographic history and ecological variation. Gene flow appears widespread throughout the range, despite the apparently fragmented nature of the habitats used by this species. Patterns of haplotype variation between selected and neutral genomic regions suggest that evolution associated with climate adaptation is polygenic, resulting from the independent spread of alleles throughout the established range of this species, rather than the colonization of pre-adapted genotypes from coastal populations. These data suggest that rapid responses to climate change do not depend on the availability of pre-adapted genotypes. Instead, the evolution of novel forms of biotic interaction in A. agestis has occurred during range expansion, through the assembly of novel genotypes from alleles from multiple localities.

The relationship between distribution of the genera Tomares Rambur, 1840 and the distribution of the larval host plant Astragalus L. (Turkey) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

The aim of this study is to reveal the patterns that shape the current distribution of the genus Tomares Rambur, 1840 in Turkey. For this purpose, the relationship between the distribution of the larval food plant Astragalus species of the genus Tomares was examined. For this reason, the data of Astragalus species preferred by larvae were investigated. Larvae of Tomares prefer 14 species of the genus Astragalus as food plants. Only seven of them are distributed in Turkey: Astragalus ponticus Pall., A. utriger Pall., A. macrocephalus Willd., A. micropterus Fisc., A. ornithopodioides Lam., A. densifolius Lam, A. physodes L. The connection between the distribution areas of the Tomares species and Astragalus species in Turkey are discussed.

Habitat quality, not patch isolation, drives distribution and abundance of two light-demanding butterflies in fragmented coppice landscapes

Coppice forests are socio-ecological systems especially rich in biodiversity. They have been transformed into high forest and abandoned across large areas of Europe over the past 200 years. Coppice loss is likely an important driver of insect declines. It is currently unclear whether habitat quality or decreasing connectivity of the remaining fragments is more important for the survival of insect populations. We related the abundance of two coppice-associated butterflies of conservation concern, Satyrium ilicis and Melitaea athalia, to indicators of habitat quality and habitat connectivity. We estimated butterfly densities using Distance Sampling along a successional gradient (time since last cut: 1–9 years; N = 130 plots) across one of the largest remaining simple oak-birch coppice landscapes in Central Europe. Both species reached abundance peaks within four to six years after the last cut, declining rapidly in abundance with subsequent succession. We found no evidence that coupe size, coppice availability and patch (= coupe) connectivity were related to the density of the species. Besides stand age, the cover of larval foodplants explained predicted butterfly densities well. Only Satyrium ilicis benefitted from high Red Deer densities.Implications for insect conservation: Our results suggest that habitat quality and sufficient availability of coppice of suitable age matters more than coupe size and fragmentation within a traditional managed coppice landscape. Coppice restoration aiming at the study species should ensure a shifting mosaic of successional habitat to provide a large availability of resprouting oak stools and bilberry vegetation that holds dense Melampyrum pratense stands.

First insights into herbivore–plant interaction of the spurge hawkmoth and Euphorbia cyparissias

The spurge hawkmoth Hyles euphorbiae (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) is an insect herbivore feeding exclusively on spurges (Euphorbia). These are toxic due to their secondary metabolites including diterpene esters with numerous harmful biological activities, preventing their use by most herbivores. Extracts of frass from H. euphorbiae and of its main larval food plant in Central Europe, the cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias L.), were analyzed via liquid chromatography using a triple-quadrupole (MS/MS) and a high-resolution–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF-MS). We report for the first time the finding of the tigliane (phorbol ester) phorbol-13-acetate and two 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) isomers of unknown structure (compounds 2 and 3) in E. cyparissias. Our data support the assignment of these two compounds as tiglianes and are therefore referred to by us as “putative tiglianes”. Additionally, the distribution of the three reported compounds within the plant parts (leaves, stem and root) was analyzed to gain first insights into the metabolite conditions H. euphorbiae copes with in nature. Phorbol-13-acetate was detected in the plant’s root only, while the other compounds were observed in all three plant parts, although in different distributions. Moreover, our results indicate that the occurrence of compound 3 rises upon larval feeding. Finally, the presence of the plant-derived putative tiglianes in frass from E. cyparissias leaves feeding larvae is confirmed, corroborating the close plant–herbivore interaction.

Studies on the butterfly fauna of Fergusson College Campus,Pune, India

Butterflies are the most fascinating group of insects in the world; often regarded as flagship species. They aregreat bio-indicators of an ecosystem; which are very sensitive to the slightest changes in the environment. Theyplay an important role in pollination and are an important link in the food chain. The Butterfly diversity ofFergusson College, Pune was assessed along with their host and nectar plants from July 2021-June 2022.Study reported the presence of a total of 66 species belonging to 5 families; Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae,Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae. Among the families; Lycaenidae had the highest number of species(22).The survey of plants showed around 14 species of larval food plants which justifies the diversity ofbutterflies. Out of the 66 species, 5 species were legally protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.Anthropogenic activities and their effects on the native vegetation were also noted; thus a management plan forthe plantation of eco-local vegetation was suggested on Fergusson College Hill.

Plant water limitation and its impact on the oviposition preferences of the monarch butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).

Intensifying drought conditions across the western United States due to global climate change are altering plant-insect interactions. Specialist herbivores must find their host plants within a matrix of nonhosts, and thus often rely upon specific plant secondary chemistry for host location and oviposition cues. Climate-induced alterations to plant chemistry could thus affect female selection of larval food plants. Here, we investigated whether host-plant water limitation influenced oviposition preference in a threatened invertebrate: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). We found that females deposited more eggs on reduced-water than on well-watered narrowleaf milkweed plants (Asclepias fascicularis), but we could not attribute this change to any specific change in plant chemistry. Specialist herbivores, such as the monarch butterfly, which are tightly linked to specific plant cues, may experience shift in preferences under global-change conditions. Understanding oviposition preferences will be important to directing ongoing habitat restoration activities for this declining insect.

One generalist or several specialists? Comparative analysis of the polyphagous butterfly Adelpha serpa celerio and its serpa‐group relatives

AbstractPatterns of larval food plant use and immature stage morphology help clarify Neotropical butterfly species diversity, and, in many cases, lineages identified with molecular data are corroborated by morphology and ecology of immature stages. Here, we investigate cryptic species in Adelpha butterflies (Nymphalidae), a group known for challenging adult wing similarity coupled with mimicry, and for its remarkably wide larval food plant breadth. We focus on the Adelpha serpa‐group and in particular Adelpha serpa celerio, whose immatures have been documented feeding on 11 plant families. Our analyses of A. serpa, and among serpa‐group species across the Neotropics, revealed evidence of cryptic species, but the pattern within A. serpa celerio showed relatively weak mtDNA and morphological differences, and no differentiation in food plant use. We conclude that A. serpa should be revised and recognize A. serpa to include the nominate subspecies and recognize A. celerio (revised status) as a geographically widespread species and a larval food plant generalist that contains A. c. celerio (revised status), A. c. duiliae (revised status) and A. c. diadochus (revised status). Four additional species within the serpa‐group show strong evidence of harbouring allopatric cryptic species, and further research should be done to clarify their species limits.

Larval transcriptomes reflect the evolutionary history of plant-insect associations.

In this study, we investigated whether patterns of gene expression in larvae feeding on different plants can explain important aspects of the evolution of insect-plant associations, such as phylogenetic conservatism of host use and re-colonization of ancestral hosts that have been lost from the host repertoire. To this end, we performed a phylogenetically informed study comparing the transcriptomes of 4 nymphalid butterfly species in Polygonia and the closely related genus Nymphalis. Larvae were reared on Urtica dioica, Salix spp., and Ribes spp. Plant-specific gene expression was found to be similar across butterfly species, even in the case of host plants that are no longer used by two of the butterfly species. These results suggest that plant-specific transcriptomes can be robust over evolutionary time. We propose that adaptations to particular larval food plants can profitably be understood as an evolved set of modules of co-expressed genes, promoting conservatism in host use and facilitating re-colonization. Moreover, we speculate that the degree of overlap between plant-specific transcriptomes may correlate with the strength of trade-offs between plants as resources and hence to the probability of colonizing hosts and complete host shifts.

A Gis-Based Species Distribution Model for the Endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly, Euphilotes enoptes smithi (Lycaenidae)

A species distribution model (SDM) was developed for the endangered Smith's Blue butterfly, Euphilotes enoptes smithi (Lycaenidae), to predict target areas where it might be found in the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains that extend for 230 km along the Big Sur coast in Monterey County, CA. Field surveys identified 1,506 locations of the butterfly's larval foodplant and primary adult nectar plant, Eriogonum parvifolium (Polygonaceae), in this mountain range. Vegetation, soil, and geology types were identified for each of these known locations. Because all life stages of the endangered butterfly are closely associated with this foodplant, it served as a surrogate to identify new locations that might support the butterfly. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between foodplant occurrence and each of these environmental attributes. Logistic regression identified specific soil and geology types that were useful predictors of potential foodplant occurrence, but it was unable to identify comparable specific vegetation types. GIS analyses were performed to identify target areas that share the same combinations of these environmental attributes in locations known to support the foodplant. The top target areas were all characterized by soil and geology types that the logistic regression analyses corroborated were the best predictors of potential foodplant occurrence. To validate our SDM, field surveys for the foodplant and butterfly were performed at 300 predicted target locations. The foodplant and butterfly were observed at 88.4% and 80.7% of target areas or immediately adjacent to them, respectively. Results of this SDM not only provide a better understanding of this endangered butterfly's potential and actual geographic range but also the environmental attributes that constitute its suitable habitat. Furthermore, these findings will assist resource agencies in their conservation efforts to benefit this endangered butterfly.

Larval foodplants of Hungarian butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera)

Larval foodplants of Hungarian butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera)

The relevance of transition habitats for butterfly conservation

Biodiversity is declining across the globe. Main drivers causing the vanishing of species are habitat destruction and the transformation of former heterogeneous landscapes into homogeneous and intensively used landscapes. Modern land management focuses on the creation of landscape configuration with sharp boundaries between ecosystems. In consequence, transition zones between two ecosystems such as between forest and open grassland are rare, as it counteracts the efficient and commercial use of space. However, there are many species relying on such transition zones between habitats, as the Clouded Apollo butterfly Parnassius mnemosyne. This highly endangered butterfly species occurs in light deciduous forests, interspersed with extensively used grasslands. In our study, we analysed habitat requirements of this butterfly species. We recorded larvae and feeding marks at its primary larval food plant, Corydalis cava, and assessed microhabitat characteristics, including microclimatic conditions. We captured high-resolution multispectral aerial imagery with an unmanned aerial vehicle. We subsequently combined ground-truthing data with information from high resolution aerial pictures to calculate habitat suitability models. We found that P. mnemosyne larvae mainly occur in the transition zone between deciduous light forest and extensively used grasslands with C. cava. Caterpillars of P. mnemosyne are particularly found around trees, basking on foliage and grass to rapidly reach high operation temperatures. Results from Species Distribution Models underline the relevance of transition zones between habitats for P. mnemosyne, and for biodiversity in general. The Clouded Apollo may serve as excellent indicator species for light deciduous forests, and as flagship to promote the conservation and restoration of transition zones between habitats in nature conservation.

A provisional checklist of European butterfly larval foodplants

Successful conservation of butterflies is dependent on knowing which larval foodplants they use. However, many published lists of larval foodplants have been copied from previous lists, which in turn have been copied from previous lists. Consequently, errors have crept in, and many plant names have long been superseded. This can result in duplicates in the list, with the same plant being given two different names. Most plant lists do not include the authority, which can make it difficult or impossible to identify which plant is being referred to. For the first time, a list of the current accepted plant names utilised by 471 European butterfly larvae is presented, with references. Where possible, errors in previous lists have been removed. The list of larval foodplants doubled from previous published lists. This has resulted in a list of 1506 different plant species in 72 different families. 86 plant records are only known at the generic level. Larval foodplants of 25 butterfly species are currently unknown. Whilst most plant families are utilised by less than six butterfly species, a few plant families are particularly favoured, with the Poaceae and Fabaceae being the most popular. Similarly, most plant species are only utilised by a few butterfly species, butFestuca ovinaandFestuca rubraare favoured by a large number of butterfly species. 20% of European butterfly larvae are monophagous, 50% are oligophagous, and 30% are polyphagous, withCelastrina argiolusable to use plants in 19 different families.

New addition to the larval food plants of Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar, [1844] from India (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)

Rubus ellipticus Smith 1815 (Rosaceae) is reported as new larval food plant for Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar, [1844] for the first time from India

New records of the Fluffy Tit butterfly, Hypolycaena amasa Hewitson, [1865] (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae), from Macau and Hong Kong

ABSTRACT The first records of the iconic lycaenid butterfly Hypolycaena amasa amasa Hewitson, [1865], commonly known as Fluffy Tit, from Macau and Hong Kong are reported here, along with its other Chinese records. A review on the knowledge of this species across its full distribution range reveals poor information on the larval food plants, in particular. In Hong Kong, early life stages have been found grazing only on the indigenous and widespread plant Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz. (Verbenaceae). While it is possible that its sudden presence in Macau and Hong Kong, some 150 km southeast of its previously known range, may be related to artificial transport of ornamental plants from mainland China, the fact that the immature stages selectively utilised only C. cyrtophyllum as host, while ignoring completely congeneric ornamental plants species of exotic origin (i.e., C. japonicum (Thumb.) Sweet and C. thomsonae Balf.), indicates that support for this hypothesis is highly unlikely. Therefore, this may represent a new case of poleward migration of species in response to environmental fluctuations related to ongoing climatic changes, global warming in particular. It is now important to monitor these colonies and establish whether they are able to survive in the medium to long term.

Life Cycle of Eterusia aedea Linn. (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) on new host plant from Amba Reserve Forest, Kolhapur, North Western Ghats, Maharashtra

The present paper provides information on life cycle of polyphagous moth Eterusia aedea Linn. (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae). It breeds in rainy season and two generations are possible in a year from this region. About 42 to 54 are required days for completion of life cycle. Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae) and Sapium insigne (Royle) Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) were recorded as new larval food plants of E. aedea Linn. from Amba Reserve Forest, Kolhapur, North Western Ghats, Maharashtra.