viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2020

Various forms in Lemon Migrant/Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona) butterfly

Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona) belongs to Coliadinae subfamily, which is commonly known as, the sulphurs or yellows, which belongs to Pieridae family of butterflies. There are around 300 species described from this subfamily all over the world.
There are 6 Catopsilia species: gorgophone from Australia, thauruma from Madagascar; pyranthe and scylla from the Oriental region; florella which is found across Africa and most of the Oriental region; and pomona, which is distributed from Sikkim to Malaysia, east to the Philippines and south through the islands of the South Pacific to Australia.

Lemon Emigrant comes in several forms for both sexes, but generally they are moderately large with wing upperside appearing in either white or yellow and black-bordered on the costa and termen of the forewing. Early entomologists considered Catopsilia pomona and Catopsilia crocale to be separate species, but it is now scientifically proven that both are forms of the same subspecies - C. pomona. There are in fact at least 6 different colour forms or 'morphs' divided in 2 groups; namely the 'crocale' group and the 'pomona' group.

The 'crocale' group is characterized by having the upperside of antennae black, and the absence of silvery spots at cell-ends on the underside. The 'pomona' group is characterized by having the upperside of antennae red and the presence of red-ringed silvery spots at cell-ends on the underside. These characterists are mainly applicable for males as most of the females are either share one form or the other or appear mostly common to naked eyes.

Crocale group forms –

  1. -f alcmeone – mostly white above but yellow in the basal third of the wings and thinly bordered at the forewing apex.
  2. -f Jugurtha - creamy white above with yellow wing base and black border on the forewing costa and termen of both wings. It has a series of black submarginal markings and a black spot at cell-end on the forewing.
  3. -f crocale - broad black distal border with a series of whitish spots embedded on both wings. (widely spread)

Pomona group forms –

  1. -f Hilaria – similar upperside to that of -f alcmeone but with lesser extent of basal yellow area.
  2. -f nivescens - whitish wings with reduced black border and markings
  3. -f catilla – has large reddish patches on the underside. (widely spread)
Publicado el viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2020 a las 05:24 AM por kedartambe kedartambe | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Family Papilionidae - Swallowtail Butterflies

The swallowtails are generally easily identified in the field by their large size, prominent markings, colour, patterns and variable wing and tail shape. The forked appearance of the swallowtail like hind wings, which can be seen when the butterfly is resting with its wings spread, gave rise to the common name swallowtail.
They are generally black bodied or red bodied and many species are toxic, unpalatable to predators. Males have scent brushes and they gather in large numbers for mudpuddling.

This family of large and beautiful butterflies is well represented with 89 species found within Indian borders with around 550 species overall in the world. Two of the three papilionid subfamilies are represented in India, namely, the Parnassiinae or Apollos, with 19 species, and the Papilioninae or swallowtails, with 70 species.

Publicado el viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2020 a las 05:17 AM por kedartambe kedartambe | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Family Pieridae (Whites and Sulphurs)

The Pieridae are members of the Superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies, known for their mass migrations. Adults have medium to small wings that are white, yellow, or orange, with some black or red, and many have hidden ultraviolet patterns that are used in courtship. Species with more than one generation usually have distinct seasonal variation in appearance. Adults of all species visit flowers for nectar, and adults of both sexes have three pairs of walking legs. Males patrol in search of receptive mates, and females lay columnar eggs on leaves, buds, and stems.

All Pieridae species have six legs fully developed and functional. Many of the species usually have their legs concolourous with the butterflies' abdomen or wings. There is usually a darker longitudinal stripe throughout the length of the leg. The femur is usually covered with short and soft hairs. As with the other species, the Pierids have tarsal claws and fine hairs on the tarsal area of the leg to help it hold on to its perch whilst it stops to rest or when feeding. They usually utilise all six legs to grasp the perch or balance on a flower.

Antennae are half the length of the forewing and are slender, with a small and straight club. Eyes are smooth and the labial palps are larger than the head, projecting outward or slightly upward. Eggs are characteristic in being tall, bottle-shaped and strongly ribbed. Larvae are usually green and are relatively smooth, without spines and only short insignificant hair. The pupa typically has a pointed head and is secured in an upright position, supported by a silken thoracic girdle and also by the cremaster to a silken pad.

Publicado el viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2020 a las 05:14 AM por kedartambe kedartambe | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

Indian Jezebel - Delias eucharis

There are about 225 described species in the genus Delias. The butterflies are popularly known as Jezebels. Most species are gaudily patterned in red, yellow, black and white - the colours serving to advertise their unpalatable nature to would-be predators.

Indian Jezebel is nomadic in behavior and can be found in a wide variety of habitats including temperate hill forest, tropical rainforest, dry open woodland and beach hinterlands. This species is one of the contenders and only representative from Pieridae family for National Butterfly India Polls 2020

It is a common species in flowery gardens, and commonly visits flowering bushes in towns. The butterfly can be found at altitudes between sea level and at least 1500m. It has a wingspan 70-80 mm and can be found flying from tree to tree on sunny mornings. Their food plants are usually parasites from Loranthaceae family known as mistletoes and hence spend much of their lives high in the treetops of variety of tree species. Their nectaring plants are usually Lantana ( Verbenaceae ), Mentha ( Lamiaceae ), and other flowers and often can be seen fluttering swiftly from garden to garden, pausing here and there for a moment to sip the nectar

Publicado el viernes, 18 de septiembre de 2020 a las 05:11 AM por kedartambe kedartambe | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

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