Life-Cycle Development and Morphology of Three Butterfly Species: Danaus chrysippus, Papilio demoleus and Papilio polytes (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The relationship between butterflies and plants is an essential one since adults rely on nectar while larvae depend on the proper host plants. This paper examines the development of Danaus chrysippus, Papilio demoleus, and Papilio polytes from eggs to adulthood in a controlled lab environment. Freshly collected eggs were kept in a ventilated jar with sufficient moisture and regularly fed with fresh leaves. D. chrysippus was raised using milkweed while P. demoleus used citruses. P. polytes was raised with Aegle marmelos-associated tissues. Data from observations made at different stages during the development cycle from the egg stage to reach adulthood with the measurements of body sizes included. D. chrysippus reached 30.2 mm during the fifth larval stage and had an average of 7–8 days in pupal stage, while P. demoleus reached 41.2 mm in the fifth larval stage and had an average of 8 days in the pupal stage. Statistics from observations recorded also tells that P. polytes reached 39 m min the fifth larval stage with the pupa taking about 10 days. Notable defensive and morphological characteristics were recorded indicating bird-droppings-like early instars and osmeterial defense in Papilio species, as well as color change and particular host plants used by D. chrysippus. The results represent a good database that will aid in understanding the developmental biology and importance of these butterflies.