BUTTERFLY (Incect)

Life cycle studies

Destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, excessive grazing,
indiscriminate application of pesticides etc. are the major threats to butterfly
diversity.Effective conservation strategies demand a complete thorough
understanding of the various stages of their life cycle, the challenges and the
adaptive as well as defensive mechanisms they have developed. In view of this,study
of various stages of butterfly life cycle was taken up.

Though major portion of this study relied on field observation and photographic
documentation, life cycle studies to some extent involved in vitro observations under
controlled conditions.Eggs and the caterpillars with their specific host plants were
maintained in a confined area to fecilitate easier observation.Various stages of life
cycle were documented like this. After the emergence of the adult butterfly from the
pupa, it was released back into it's habitat.

Butterflies are “holometabolous” insects with four distinct phases in their life
cycle.They are egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa or chrysalis and adult . Each stage has
distinctly varied morphology,life needs, challenges and defences.
 Egg
The female butterfly produces fertilized eggs after mating, which are laid
either in large clusters or single in a species specific manner. The eggs are laid on
appropriate larval host plant; on the apt part of it, which is carefully chosen by the
female. This ensures the adequate supply of most appropriate food for the larvae as
soon as they hatch out. The eggs may be laid either on the upper side or the
underside of the leaves or any other tender parts of the plant. The eggs are stuck to
the leaf surface by a sticky material covering them. Eggs in most of the species are
provided with species specific, complex ornamental patterns as pits, ridges or
polygonal cells.

Pieridae Common Wanderer

Papilionidae Blue Mormon

 Lycaenidae Pea Blue

LARVA
After a few days (variable with species, temperature etc.), the larva eats
through the tip of the egg shell and emerges out of it. Usually the first meal of the
larva comprises the shell itself, supplying nutrients and also destroying the evidence
for a protective reason (Kunte). Larva is the only active feeding and growing stage,
during which enormous amount of nutrients/resources is stored for future stages of
the life cycle.
The caterpillars of various species have specific larval food plants or soft
parts therein (fresh leaves or soft inside of fleshy fruits etc.). As a result of
continuous, voracious feeding, the caterpillar shows rapid increase in its body size
and weight. During larval growth period, it casts off its outer skin layers five times
which is known as “moulting”. The period of time between two consecutive
moultings is an instar. Around a day before each moulting the larva stops feeding
and moving. Often after throwing away its old “hide”, it feeds on it, possibly as a
nutrition supplement. After complete growth the lava enters into the pupal stage;
short and compact form with no distinct head nor jaws nor legs. Body of a caterpillar
is soft, flexible except the head, a hard chitinous capsule. The head bears biting and
chewing mouthparts used in voracious feeding, spinneret, the silk spinning organ
and a pair of simple eyes. The thoracic region is made up of three segments, each
with a pair of true legs, used to grip the leaves while feeding. The abdominal region
has 7-10 segments, each with a pair of fleshy prolegs used for holding the silk
threads on which the caterpillar rests. The last segment has a pair of claspers, used
for suspending the larva during pupation.