Life history of the butterfly Phoebis argante (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), an inhabitant of the dry forest of western Andes
This study describes the immature stages, host plant, and interactions with parasitoid wasps of the butterfly Phoebis argante, a very widely distributed species, commonly found in the dry forest ecotone of the western Andes in Azuay province, Ecuador. The development time from oviposition to adul...
| Published in: | Revista Chilena de Entomología |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedad Chilena de Entomología
2024-08-01
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/86127 |
| Summary: | This study describes the immature stages, host plant, and interactions with parasitoid wasps
of the butterfly Phoebis argante, a very widely distributed species, commonly found in the dry forest
ecotone of the western Andes in Azuay province, Ecuador. The development time from oviposition to
adult averaged 48 days. The host plant is identified as Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae), a leguminous tree
widely distributed in the Neotropics which has various cultural uses. Given its cultural significance,
adaptive capacity, role in soil erosion prevention, and ecological importance as a habitat for pollinating
insects, I. edulis could be a promising candidate for revegetation projects in gardens and green areas
in Ecuador. Sexual dimorphism in pupal color patterns was observed: female pupae displayed a
heterogeneous color pattern with black spots, while male pupae were uniformly yellowish-green. This
sexual dimorphism in pupal coloration may be an adaptive mechanism for camouflage during this
vulnerable developmental stage or could be related to adult wing phenotype. Additionally, koinobiont
endoparasitoid wasps, from the subfamily Microgastrinae (Braconidae), were obtained from first and
second instar larvae. |
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| ISSN: | 0034-740X 0718-8994 |