RESUMEN
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.
A borboleta azul séria, Chilades pandava - Horsfield, 1829 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), é considerada uma das principais pragas de insetos destrutivas para as palmeiras ornamentais Cycas e Zamia. Medidas biológicas e morfológicas foram realizadas em estádios de C. pandava criados em Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) e Zamia encephalartoides (Zamiaceae). Nos detalhes da descrição, variações não significativas foram registradas entre os dois gêneros de borboleta azul cicadácea nos dados obtidos, mas o adulto masculino era mais densamente azul ou violeta do que o adulto feminino. Com o auxílio do MEV, C. pandava, todos os estágios foram diferenciados por pelos longos e grossos que cobriam todo o corpo. Os caracteres morfométricos a saber, comprimento, largura e venação das asas, comprimento do corpo, asa anterior e posterior, podem servir de guia para a discriminação taxonômica.Os dados mostraram que a duração do ciclo de vida de C. pandava variou entre 20,64 e 21,7 dias. Os períodos de desenvolvimento dos diferentes estágios de C. pandava são ligeiramente maiores em zamia do que em cicas. Essa investigação detectou que uma alta taxa de sobrevivência foi encontrada em palmeiras Cycas (86%) do que a taxa de sobrevivência registrada em palmeiras Zamia (82%). No presente estudo, os caracteres morfométricos descritos podem servir de guia para a discriminação taxonômica dessa praga. Consequentemente, este estudo agregou um conhecimento valioso sobre C. pandava para ter decisões acertadas para a proposta de seu manejo e conservação no Egito.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Mariposas Diurnas/parasitología , Cycas , Zamiaceae , LepidópterosRESUMEN
Little is known about the extent to which species use homologous regulatory architectures to achieve phenotypic convergence. By characterizing chromatin accessibility and gene expression in developing wing tissues, we compared the regulatory architecture of convergence between a pair of mimetic butterfly species. Although a handful of color pattern genes are known to be involved in their convergence, our data suggest that different mutational paths underlie the integration of these genes into wing pattern development. This is supported by a large fraction of accessible chromatin being exclusive to each species, including the de novo lineage-specific evolution of a modular optix enhancer. These findings may be explained by a high level of developmental drift and evolutionary contingency that occurs during the independent evolution of mimicry.
Asunto(s)
Evolución Biológica , Mimetismo Biológico , Mariposas Diurnas , Ensamble y Desensamble de Cromatina , Alas de Animales , Animales , Mimetismo Biológico/genética , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/genética , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Pigmentación/genética , Alas de Animales/anatomía & histología , Alas de Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Elementos de Facilitación GenéticosRESUMEN
Müllerian mimicry strongly exemplifies the power of natural selection. However, the exact measure of such adaptive phenotypic convergence and the possible causes of its imperfection often remain unidentified. Here, we first quantify wing colour pattern differences in the forewing region of 14 co-mimetic colour pattern morphs of the butterfly species Heliconius erato and Heliconius melpomene and measure the extent to which mimicking colour pattern morphs are not perfectly identical. Next, using gene-editing CRISPR/Cas9 KO experiments of the gene WntA, which has been mapped to colour pattern diversity in these butterflies, we explore the exact areas of the wings in which WntA affects colour pattern formation differently in H. erato and H. melpomene. We find that, while the relative size of the forewing pattern is generally nearly identical between co-mimics, the CRISPR/Cas9 KO results highlight divergent boundaries in the wing that prevent the co-mimics from achieving perfect mimicry. We suggest that this mismatch may be explained by divergence in the gene regulatory network that defines wing colour patterning in both species, thus constraining morphological evolution even between closely related species.
Asunto(s)
Mimetismo Biológico , Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Animales , Mariposas Diurnas/genética , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Genes de Insecto , Pigmentación/genética , Selección Genética , Alas de AnimalesRESUMEN
Vom Rath's organ, located at the distal end of the third segment of the labial palp, is one of the recognized synapomorphies of Lepidoptera (Insecta). Information about the structural and histological morphology of this organ is sparse. The structure of vom Rath's organ in four species of Nymphalidae, three frugivorous: Fountainea ryphea (Charaxinae: Anaeini), Morpho helenor achillaena (Satyrinae: Morphini) and Hamadryas epinome (Biblidinae: Ageroniini), and the nectarivorous species Aeria olena (Danainae: Ithomiini) is described by means of scanning electron microscopy and histology. The species showed significant differences in the cavity shape, setal morphology and arrangement, opening shape and location, associated with the organization of cell groups, type of axon, and degree of development. These differences do not seem to be related to feeding habit. No cell groups were found in Actinote thalia (Heliconiinae: Acraeini) and Heliconius erato phyllis (Heliconiinae: Heliconiini), and for the first time the absence of vom Rath's organ is documented in the clade Ditrysia. A terminology is proposed to improve understanding of the organ morphology, with an extensive analysis of the previous descriptions.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Axones/fisiología , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo/métodos , FilogeniaRESUMEN
Abstract Brazil is a leading palm oil producer, but the defoliating caterpillars Opsiphanes invirae Hübner Brassolis sophorae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) can reduce the productivity of this crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development and reproduction of the parasitoid Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in pupae of these oil palm defoliators. Ten O. invirae or B. sophorae pupae with up to two days old were exposed each to 30 T. diatraeae females for 48 hours. Parasitism and emergence of the progeny of T. diatraeae were similar in pupae of both Lepidoptera defoliators. The life cycle of this parasitoid was shorter in O. invirae (21.50 ± 0.42 days) pupae than with those of B. sophorae (27.60 ± 1.80 days). The number of the progeny (669.00 ± 89.62) and dead immature (217.13 ± 58.18) of T. diatraeae were higher in B. sophorae pupae than in those of O. invirae with 447.83 ± 51.52 and 13.50 ± 5.23, respectively. The sex ratio and female and male longevity of T. diatraeae emerged from these hosts were similar. The reproductive traits, especially the number of individuals (offspring) of T. diatraeae were better with B. sophorae pupae than with those of O. invirae.
Resumo O Brasil é um dos principais produtores de óleo de palma, porém as lagartas desfolhadoras Opsiphanes invirae Hübner e Brassolis sophorae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) podem comprometer a produtividade dessa cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento e aspectos reprodutivos do parasitoide Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) em pupas desses desfolhadores da palma de óleo. Dez pupas de O. invirae ou de B. sophorae com até dois dias de idade, foram expostas, cada uma, ao parasitismo por 30 fêmeas de T. diatraeae , por 48 horas. O parasitismo e a emergência da progênie de T. diatraeae foram semelhantes em pupas de ambas as espécies de lepidópteros desfolhadores da palma de óleo. O ciclo de vida desse parasitoide foi mais curto em pupas de O. invirae (21,50 ± 0,42 dias) que com as de B. sophorae (27,60 ± 1,80 dias). O número de progênie (669,00 ± 89,62) e de imaturos mortos (217,13 ± 58,18) de T. diatraeae foram maiores em pupas de B. sophorae que naquelas de O. invirae com 447,83 ± 51,52 e 13,50 ± 5,23, respectivamente. A razão sexual e a longevidade de fêmeas e machos de T. diatraeae emergidos desses hospedeiros foram semelhantes. As características reprodutivas, especialmente, o número de indivíduos (progênie) de T. diatraeae foram melhores com pupas de B. sophorae que com as de O. invirae .
Asunto(s)
Animales , Masculino , Femenino , Avispas/fisiología , Mariposas Diurnas/parasitología , Herbivoria , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos , Reproducción , Avispas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hojas de la Planta/crecimiento & desarrollo , Arecaceae/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/fisiología , Larva/parasitologíaRESUMEN
Brazil is a leading palm oil producer, but the defoliating caterpillars Opsiphanes invirae Hübner Brassolis sophorae L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) can reduce the productivity of this crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development and reproduction of the parasitoid Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in pupae of these oil palm defoliators. Ten O. invirae or B. sophorae pupae with up to two days old were exposed each to 30 T. diatraeae females for 48 hours. Parasitism and emergence of the progeny of T. diatraeae were similar in pupae of both Lepidoptera defoliators. The life cycle of this parasitoid was shorter in O. invirae (21.50 ± 0.42 days) pupae than with those of B. sophorae (27.60 ± 1.80 days). The number of the progeny (669.00 ± 89.62) and dead immature (217.13 ± 58.18) of T. diatraeae were higher in B. sophorae pupae than in those of O. invirae with 447.83 ± 51.52 and 13.50 ± 5.23, respectively. The sex ratio and female and male longevity of T. diatraeae emerged from these hosts were similar. The reproductive traits, especially the number of individuals (offspring) of T. diatraeae were better with B. sophorae pupae than with those of O. invirae.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/parasitología , Herbivoria , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos , Avispas/fisiología , Animales , Arecaceae/crecimiento & desarrollo , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Femenino , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/parasitología , Larva/fisiología , Masculino , Hojas de la Planta/crecimiento & desarrollo , Reproducción , Avispas/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
A model of interspecific host competition in a system with one parasite (butterfly-Maculinea) and multiple potential hosts (ants-Myrmica) is presented. Results indicate that host interspecific competition increases the occurrence of multiple host behaviour in Maculinea natural populations but decreases the ability of the parasite populations to adapt to the most abundant host species. These qualitative predictions were compared with data on host specificity, with good agreement. Analysis of the data also indicates that Maculinea teleius and Maculinea arion respond differently to changes in relative host abundances. Maculinea teleius shows a larger fraction of sites where it displays multiple host behaviour and a larger fraction of sites where the niches of the hosts overlap. In some instances, Maculinea teleius is adapted to Myrmica hosts that are present in lower frequencies. Maculinea arion is locally more host-specific and occurs at sites where host interspecific competition is unlikely and is more frequently adapted to the most abundant host species.
Asunto(s)
Hormigas/parasitología , Mariposas Diurnas/patogenicidad , Interacciones Huésped-Parásitos/fisiología , Modelos Biológicos , Adaptación Fisiológica , Animales , Hormigas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hormigas/fisiología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Conducta Competitiva/fisiología , Simulación por Computador , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales/estadística & datos numéricos , Especies en Peligro de Extinción/estadística & datos numéricos , Especificidad del Huésped/fisiología , Conceptos Matemáticos , Plantas Comestibles , Dinámica Poblacional/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
To assess the change in the size of the eastern North American monarch butterfly summer population, studies have used long-term data sets of counts of adult butterflies or eggs per milkweed stem. Despite the observed decline in the monarch population as measured at overwintering sites in Mexico, these studies found no decline in summer counts in the Midwest, the core of the summer breeding range, leading to a suggestion that the cause of the monarch population decline is not the loss of Midwest agricultural milkweeds but increased mortality during the fall migration. Using these counts to estimate population size, however, does not account for the shift of monarch activity from agricultural fields to non-agricultural sites over the past 20 years, as a result of the loss of agricultural milkweeds due to the near-ubiquitous use of glyphosate herbicides. We present the counter-hypotheses that the proportion of the monarch population present in non-agricultural habitats, where counts are made, has increased and that counts reflect both population size and the proportion of the population observed. We use data on the historical change in the proportion of milkweeds, and thus monarch activity, in agricultural fields and non-agricultural habitats to show why using counts can produce misleading conclusions about population size. We then separate out the shifting proportion effect from the counts to estimate the population size and show that these corrected summer monarch counts show a decline over time and are correlated with the size of the overwintering population. In addition, we present evidence against the hypothesis of increased mortality during migration. The milkweed limitation hypothesis for monarch decline remains supported and conservation efforts focusing on adding milkweeds to the landscape in the summer breeding region have a sound scientific basis.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Agricultura , Migración Animal , Animales , Asclepias/efectos de los fármacos , Asclepias/crecimiento & desarrollo , Asclepias/parasitología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Ecosistema , Herbicidas/toxicidad , México , Tallos de la Planta/parasitología , Densidad de Población , Estaciones del AñoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Investigating the impact of pesticides on non-target organisms is essential for sustainable integrated pest management programs. We therefore assessed the toxicity of ten insecticides to the brassica caterpillar Ascia monuste and its ant predator Solenopsis saevissima and examined the effect that the insecticide synergists had on toxicity to the predator. We also assessed the residual period of control and impact of the insecticides during the brassica growing cycle. RESULTS: All insecticides except flubendiamide exhibited mortality above the threshold required by Brazilian legislation (80%). Chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, indoxacarb and spinosad exhibited lower toxicity to the ant predator than they did to the brassica caterpillar. The results obtained for synergized insecticides suggest that selectivity to the predator was due the involvement of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases. Chlorfenapyr and cyantraniliprole exhibited the highest residual periods of control to the brassica caterpillar, whereas malathion had the greatest impact on the predator. CONCLUSION: Most of the insecticides efficiently controlled the brassica caterpillar, but not all exhibited selectivity to the predator. Therefore, due to the distinctive responses of organisms with respect to residual periods of control and the impact of the insecticides, spraying frequency must be strongly considered in integrated pest management programs. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Asunto(s)
Hormigas/efectos de los fármacos , Mariposas Diurnas/efectos de los fármacos , Insecticidas/farmacología , Insecticidas/toxicidad , Animales , Brassica/crecimiento & desarrollo , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Cadena Alimentaria , Larva/efectos de los fármacos , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Control de PlagasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Tropane alkaloids are known to play a role in plant defence. By blocking acetylcholine receptors, they exert insecticidal and deterrent effects against herbivore insects. Carbamates are an important class of chemical insecticides that also inhibit acetyl cholinesterase. The objective of this work was to synthesise a series of tropane alkaloids bearing a carbamate group, and to evaluate their effects against the pest Ascia monuste. The effects of the most active compounds were evaluated on the A. monuste predator Solenopsis saevissima and on the pollinator Tetragonisca angustula. RESULTS: The synthesis of carbamate-tropane alkaloids was accomplished in 4-5 steps from commercially available ketones. Results from bioassays showed that compounds 6a, 10a and 14a presented higher activities against second-instar larvae of A. monuste, with LD50 values of 1.01, 3.76 and 1.92 µg substance mg-1 insect, and TL50 values of 7.0, 15.0 and 5.0 h respectively. These compounds were also tested for their selectivity in favour of S. saevissima and T. angustula. Compound 6a, which showed the highest activity against A. monuste, also showed lower toxicity against S. saevissima. CONCLUSION: Tropane alkaloid derivatives bearing a carbamate group show potential for the development of novel insecticides against A. monuste. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas , Control de Insectos , Insecticidas , Tropanos , Animales , Bioensayo , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Tropanos/síntesis químicaRESUMEN
Two species of hairstreak butterflies from the genus Calycopis are known in the United States: C. cecrops and C. isobeon Analysis of mitochondrial COI barcodes of Calycopis revealed cecrops-like specimens from the eastern US with atypical barcodes that were 2.6% different from either USA species, but similar to Central American Calycopis species. To address the possibility that the specimens with atypical barcodes represent an undescribed cryptic species, we sequenced complete genomes of 27 Calycopis specimens of four species: C. cecrops, C. isobeon, C. quintana and C. bactra Some of these specimens were collected up to 60 years ago and preserved dry in museum collections, but nonetheless produced genomes as complete as fresh samples. Phylogenetic trees reconstructed using the whole mitochondrial and nuclear genomes were incongruent. While USA Calycopis with atypical barcodes grouped with Central American species C. quintana by mitochondria, nuclear genome trees placed them within typical USA C. cecrops in agreement with morphology, suggesting mitochondrial introgression. Nuclear genomes also show introgression, especially between C. cecrops and C. isobeon About 2.3% of each C. cecrops genome has probably (p-value < 0.01, FDR < 0.1) introgressed from C. isobeon and about 3.4% of each C. isobeon genome may have come from C. cecrops. The introgressed regions are enriched in genes encoding transmembrane proteins, mitochondria-targeting proteins and components of the larval cuticle. This study provides the first example of mitochondrial introgression in Lepidoptera supported by complete genome sequencing. Our results caution about relying solely on COI barcodes and mitochondrial DNA for species identification or discovery.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Código de Barras del ADN Taxonómico , Genoma de los Insectos , Genoma Mitocondrial , Animales , América Central , ADN Mitocondrial/genética , Filogenia , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
The natural history and morphology of the immature stages of the butterfly Thereus lomalarga Robbins, Heredia & Busby are described and illustrated. The food plant is Oryctanthus alveolatus (H.B.K.) Kuijt (Loranthaceae). Chaetotaxy of the first instar is described and compared with that of three locally studied Thereus species. Larvae have four instars, and the dorsal nectary organ becomes functional in the third instar. They are facultatively tended by ants belonging to seven genera that are attracted to O. alveolatus by floral disc nectaries, honeydew producing Hemiptera, and secretory wounds produced by Hemiptera on the fleshy inflorescence rachis. The average period from egg to eclosion under lab conditions was 35.68 days. Females emerged before males. Adults of both sexes feed on nectar from the flowers of the food plant and on hemipteran secretions; adults were not observed feeding on other flowers. Campopleginae and Chalcidinae were the most important parasitoids.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Muérdago/parasitología , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/clasificación , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Colombia , Ecosistema , Conducta Alimentaria , Femenino , Larva/anatomía & histología , Larva/clasificación , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Masculino , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
Four new species of Pierella Westwood, 1851 from Brazil are described: P. angeloi Zacca, Siewert & Mielke sp. nov. from Maranhão, P. kesselringi Zacca, Siewert & Paluch sp. nov. from Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe, P. nice Zacca, Siewert & Paluch sp. nov. from Bahia and P. keithbrowni Siewert, Zacca & Casagrande sp. nov. from Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. Additionally, P. chalybaea Godman, 1905 stat. rest. and P. boliviana F.M. Brown, 1948 stat. nov. are recognized as valid species and not as subspecies of P. lamia (Sulzer, 1776), while P. l. colombiana Constantino & Salazar, 2007 syn. nov. is synonymized to the former. Lectotype and paralectotype of Papilio dyndimene Cramer, 1779 (a synonym of Pierella lamia) and Pierella chalybaea Godman, 1905 stat. rest. are designated. Habitus and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided for all species, as well as a geographical distribution map.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Femenino , Masculino , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
The Colombian species of the genus Rhamma Johnson, 1992 are revised. Male and female phenotypes of all species are associated and diagnosed, and data on their distributions are given along with a discussion of the geographic variability of the species. Thirteen taxa are considered valid at the species level. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Rhamma andradei (Le Crom & Johnson), stat. nov, comb. nov.; previously considered a nomen dubium in Penaincisalia Johnson, the taxon is considered a valid species of Rhamma. The placement of Rhamma anosma (Draudt), comb. nov., described as Thecla, is confirmed as belonging to Rhamma. A lectotype is designated for Thecla mishma Hewitson, 1878. Adults, male and female genitalia, and distribution maps are depicted for all species, along with an identification key based on adults.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Ecosistema , Femenino , Masculino , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
Six species of Adelpha Hübner from Balneário Barra do Sul (Santa Catarina) and Morretes (Paraná) were collected as eggs or larvae and reared in captivity, aiming to provide descriptions and photography of the immature stages and imagoes. The species studied were Adelpha radiata radiata Fruhstorfer; Adelpha serpa serpa (Boisduval); Adelpha plesaure plesaure Hübner; Adelpha thesprotia (C. Felder & R. Felder); Adelpha lycorias lycorias (Godart); and Adelpha capucinus velia (C. Felder & R. Felder). Two new records of host plants were provided, Tapirira guianensis Aubl. for A. radiata radiata and Heteropterys for A. capucinus velia. This study provides a summary of host plants and the seasonality of occurrence of immature stages of these species. Data were organized in photographic plates that could be useful for the identification process.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas , Animales , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Bosques , LarvaRESUMEN
Members of the plant genus Selaginella (de Beauvois 1805) have few known insect herbivores even though they are considered by some to be 'living fossils', with extant taxa virtually indistinguishable from 300 Mya fossils. Butterflies are well-known herbivores, and the satyrs are among the most speciose of them despite having radiated â¼ 35 Mya ago. Nearly all satyrs feed on grass or sedges, but members of the Neotropical genus Euptychia Hübner 1818 feed on Selaginella; little is known about the degree to which this butterfly favors this ancient plant over those that its close relatives utilize. To advance our knowledge of Euptychia natural history, we conducted a series of experiments to examine oviposition preference and growth rates across a series of potential host plants on a Euptychia westwoodi population in Costa Rica. We found that Euptychia westwoodi Butler 1867 exhibit a strong preference to oviposit on Selaginella eurynota over the sympatric Selaginella arthritica, though they perform equally well as larvae on both plants. We did not observe oviposition on a sympatric grass that is commonly consumed by close relatives of E. westwoodi, and when larvae were offered the grass they refused to eat. These results suggest that E. westwoodi in Costa Rica exhibit a strong preference for Selaginella and may have lost the ability to feed on a locally abundant grass commonly used by other Satyrinae.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Selaginellaceae/parasitología , Animales , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Costa Rica , Herbivoria , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Oviposición/fisiologíaRESUMEN
This study investigated the spatial distribution of an Amazonian fruit-feeding butterfly assemblage by linking species taxonomic and functional approaches. We hypothesized that: 1) vegetation richness (i.e., resources) and abundance of insectivorous birds (i.e., predators) should drive changes in butterfly taxonomic composition, 2) larval diet breadth should decrease with increase of plant species richness, 3) small-sized adults should be favored by higher abundance of birds, and 4) communities with eyespot markings should be able to exploit areas with higher predation pressure. Fruit-feeding butterflies were sampled with bait traps and insect nets across 25 km(2) of an Amazonian ombrophilous forest in Brazil. We measured larval diet breadth, adult body size, and wing marking of all butterflies. Our results showed that plant species richness explained most of the variation in butterfly taxonomic turnover. Also, community average diet breadth decreased with increase of plant species richness, which supports our expectations. In contrast, community average body size increased with the abundance of birds, refuting our hypothesis. We detected no influence of environmental gradients on the occurrence of species with eyespot markings. The association between butterfly taxonomic and functional composition points to a mediator role of the functional traits in the environmental filtering of butterflies. The incorporation of the functional approach into the analyses allowed for the detection of relationships that were not observed using a strictly taxonomic perspective and provided an extra insight into comprehending the potential adaptive strategies of butterflies.
Asunto(s)
Biodiversidad , Mariposas Diurnas/fisiología , Bosque Lluvioso , Animales , Aves/fisiología , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Conducta Alimentaria , Cadena Alimentaria , Frutas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Larva/fisiología , Dinámica Poblacional , Árboles/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
The genus Opsiphanes Doubleday occurs in the Neotropics. Adults belong to the guild of frugivorous butterflies and use as host plants some genera of Arecaceae and Musaceae. The present study provides information on the biology and describes the external morphology of immatures of the species Opsiphanes quiteria meridionalis Staudinger obtained from females collected in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil. The development of immatures was monitored and photographed in the laboratory. The larvae were fed with leaves of Dypsis lutescens (Arecaceae), an ornamental plant. The egg stage lasted, on average, 7.2 days. The larval stage had five instars, with an average duration of 48.5 days. The pupal stage lasted 16.5 days. The average growth rate of the head capsule was 1.5 mm.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Larva/anatomía & histología , Animales , Brasil , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Femenino , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , PupaRESUMEN
The phylogenetic position of a new high-elevation butterfly species, which we describe as Electrostrymon picoloro Prieto & Robbins, new species, is assessed. The ventral wing pattern and genitalic structures of this species are unique among Electrostrymon. This species is also unique among Electrostrymon in that it occurs, so far as is known, only in habitats above 2800 m elevation. A phylogenetic analysis places this species in Electrostrymon as the sister of a multi-species clade. The ancestors of E. picoloro appear to have colonized its high elevation habitat relatively early in the phylogenetic history of Electrostrymon, but the species then did not recolonize lower elevation habitats nor did it diversify into other extant species.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Diurnas/clasificación , Mariposas Diurnas/genética , Filogenia , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Mariposas Diurnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Diurnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Colombia , Ecosistema , Femenino , Masculino , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
The species of Argyrogrammana Strand, 1932 collected at the Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, Acre, Brazil (PNSD) are listed and detailed with behavioral notes. In total, 17 species were recorded, including 13 new records for Brazil (marked with an asterisk): A. alstonii (Smart, 1979)*, A. nurtia ludibunda Brévignon & Gallard, 1995*, A. pulchra (Talbot, 1929)*, A. bonita Hall & Willmott, 1995*, A. amalfreda (Staudinger, [1877])*, A. physis phyton (Stichel, 1911), A. halli Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.*, A. celata Hall & Willmott, 1995*, A. gallardi Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.*, A. aparamilla Hall & Willmott, 1995*, A. praestigiosa (Stichel, 1929), A. johannismarci Brévignon, 1995*, A. brevignoni Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.*, A. rameli (Stichel, 1930), A. willmotti Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.*, A. iracyi P. Jauffret & J. Jauffret, 2007 and A. saulensis tunari Gallard, 2008, comb. nov.*. Four new species are described, two from "amalfreda complex": A. halli Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov. and A. gallardi Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.; one from "trochilia complex": A. brevignoni Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov.; and one from "stilbe complex": A. willmotti Dolibaina & Dias, sp. nov. Argyrogrammana iracyi saulensis Gallard, 2008 is recognized as a valid species, A. saulensis saulensis, stat. nov., and a new combination is proposed to A. saulensis tunari Gallard, 2008, comb. nov. The females of A. iracyi P. Jauffret & J. Jauffret, 2007 and A. saulensis tunari are recognized and figured for the first time. The taxonomy of the species found at the PNSD is discussed and adults are figured, including illustrations of the genitalia.