In the environs of Lankamalai region (14°45' - 14°72' N and 79°07' - 78°80' E), the common pierrot Castalius rosimon (Fabricius) lays eggs singly on Zizyphus jujuba. The butterfly available thought the year with high frequency during September to November (post monsoon season). Enumeration of eggs, larvae and pupae on the host plants in the field and flight observation of adults on wings attest this seasonality. The life cycle from egg to adult emergence was relatively short spanning over 21-25 days. Success development of adults, larvae and pupae was 90-100 % during the said period. Short life cycle and high success development of life stages suggest the production of 12-13 broods in the year. The larvae pass through four instars and the nutritional indices across the instars mostly the ground flora with sugar concentrations ranging between 28-52% either with sucrose of glucose dominance. Nutritional indices Consumption index (CI) and Growth rate (GR) increase as the larvae aged, while approximate digestibility (AD) decreases, efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) are inversely related as age increased.

1. World Journal of Zoology 7 (3): 216-220, 2012
ISSN 1817-3098
© IDOSI Publications, 2012
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2012.7.3.6522
Corresponding Author: S.P. Venkata Ramana, Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University,
Kadapa-Andhra Pradesh, India. E-mail: spvramana.butterfly@gmail.com.
216
Ecobiology of the Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon (Fabricius)
(Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera: Lycaenidae)
P. Harinath, V. Prasanna Kumar, M.Venkata Reddy and S.P. Venkata Ramana1 1 2 1
Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-Andhra Pradesh, India1
Department of of Zoology, S.K.University, Anantapur, India
Abstract: In the environs of Lankamalai region (14°45' - 14°72' N and 79°07' - 78°80' E), the common pierrot
Castalius rosimon (Fabricius) lays eggs singly on Zizyphus jujuba. The butterfly available thought the year
with high frequency during September to November (post monsoon season). Enumeration of eggs, larvae and
pupae on the host plants in the field and flight observation of adults on wings attest this seasonality. The life
cycle from egg to adult emergence was relatively short spanning over 21-25 days. Success development of
adults, larvae and pupae was 90-100 % during the said period. Short life cycle and high success development
of life stages suggest the production of 12-13 broods in the year. The larvae pass through four instars and the
nutritional indices across the instars mostly the ground flora with sugar concentrations ranging between
28-52% either with sucrose of glucose dominance. Nutritional indices Consumption index (CI) and Growth rate
(GR) increase as the larvae aged, while approximate digestibility (AD) decreases, efficiency of conversion of
digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) are inversely related as age increased.
Key words: Instars % Zizyphus jujuba % Lankamalai Region % Nutritional Indices % Population Index
INTRODUCTION reproductive activity of the C. rosimon was found laying
In India butterfly populations declined in the past few brought to the laboratory and incubated at room
decades and it was often suggested that captive breeding temperature (28°C) in the laboratory. Irrespective of the
/ rearing and releasing of butterflies in the wild helps to number of eggs laid, only one leaf was kept in each petri
restock at risk populations and serves as a means of dish and watched at 6 hour intervals to record the
conservation [1-4]. The butterflies are also increasingly hatching time. The intervals were shortened if necessary
attested as indicators of environmental quality [5]. They after preliminary observations. The larvae that hatched
accomplish pollination; a keystone ecological process in were also observed at fixed intervals for moulting until
natural sustainability throughout the world [6]. The they pupated. Based on the number of moults, the number
butterfly conservation was increasing day by day, of instars for each species was determined. As the larvae
successful planning and implementation of conservation completed their first of second instar stage, each was
program requires complete knowledge of the life cycle, maintained in a large petri dish (15.5 cm) to facilitate free
larval food plants for oviposition nectar resources for movement. The egg, individual larval instar, pupal and
energy for adult flight and the microclimatic conditions egg to adult duration were recorded. Five replicates were
needs for butterfly survival [7, 8]. We described here the maintained for each species.
ecobiology of C. rosimon, in the environs of Lankamalai
vegetations of Southern Andhra Pradesh. Food Consumption and Utilization: Food was changed
MATERIALS AND METHODS food remains and faecal matter, which were later weighed
The present study was carried out from May 2011 to weights was taken and the weight gain noted. After
April 2012. Study areas were regularly searched for the preliminary observations of food consumed by the
eggs on Z. jujuba. Eggs with the leaf material were
daily and the petri dishes were kept clean by removing the
and disposed off. For every instar its initial and final

2. Weight of food consumed
CI (Consumption Index) =
Weight of instar x Number of feeding days
Weight gain of instar
GR (Growth rate) =
Mean weight of instar x Number of feeding days
Weight of food consumed - weight of faeces
AD (Approximate digestibility) = x 100
Weight of food consumed
ECD (Efficiency of
Weight gain of instar
conversion of digested food) = x 100
Weight of food consumed weight of faeces−
Weight gain of instar
ECI (Efficiency of conversion of ingested food) = x 100
Weight of food consumed
World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012
217
larvae, 5-10 leaves were weighed and given to the larvae. suffused with dark scales. They are dimorphic. The
The total food consumed by the larvae was calculated at wingspan was 24-34 mm (33.5±0.05 mm). They are
the end of each instar period. Mean and standard univalent lays single egg at a time under the leaves of
deviations were estimated for food consumed, weight of host plant. They feed on Z. jujuba. They lay eggs during
faeces and weight gained by the larvae. The following 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm.
parameters were estimated as in Waldbauer [9] formula.
leaves of Z. jujuba. They are pale bluish green, round with
days. Before hatching the eggs become dull in colour. The
It was flat on the bottom side and semi circle over the
present. The mouth was on dorsal side. We can observe
instar. The second instar remains for 2 to 3 days and
Five replications were made in respect of each both lengthwise and width wise. Its head was 1.5-1.8 mm
parameters of food efficiency. The weights were (1.6±.002) long. The third instar feed most of the time than
expressed in the units of milligrams. Food consumption the first two instars and it grows up to 8.0-8.5 mm
and the growth of the larvae at each instar stage were (8.4±0.008 mm) long and body colour darkens. This stage
recorded. The relation between food consumption and lasts for 2-3 days. In fourth, instar the red marks strip was
growth of larvae was analyzed statistically by using Karl seen at the anterior end. At this stage, it feeds
Pearson’s correlation and regression equation. The voraciously and grows up to 10.0-10.5mm (10.2±0.007)
species life cycle and eco biology was studied based on turns to white colour and it loses the band on the dorsal
ten samples. side this stage remains for 2-3days. The larva undergoes
Investigations were made every month for recording contraction and thus becomes short and thick. The instar
the different life cycle stages of C. rosimon (egg, larvae remains in white colour for 3 days. The fine hair on the
and pupae) on 50 plants of Z. jujuba to work out lateral side generally lost and remains for 2 days and
population index. forms shell around it pupates. This stage last for 5-6 days.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION the posterior end and anterior end broad with a small
Oviposition Host Plants: This butterfly found both in are present. The entire life cycle from eggs to adult
plains and hill regions of Lankamalai, flying at low emergence was completed in 21-25 days (Fig. 1).
heights throughout the year recorded and abundant after
rainy season. It heavily feeds on the floral nectar of the Development Success of Eggs, Larvae and Pupae: The
plant Z. jujuba and uses the same plant for ovipositing laboratory study results hatching success rate of 50- 90%
and larval feeding. They fly close to ground and mud during January - November with higher rate recorded
puddles. during September - November (post monsoon season).
Adult: The hind wing was having white tipped black tails. 50-89%, with higher rate occurring during September -
Underneath conspicuously marked with black spots and November (post monsoon season). Pupal development
streaks on white. Square black spots are more on varied between from 50-88%, with higher rate being
underneath of forewing, upper portion white with dark evident during September - November (post monsoon
borders and black spots. The female has basal area season).
Life History: The eggs are laid single underneath of the
flat bottom, attached to the leaf. The eggs incubated at
room temperature of about 29°C hatched in about 3-4
newly hatched larvae are green in colour, body is
segmented and it measures 2.0-2.2 mm (2.1 ± 0.005 mm).
dorsal side. The anterior and posterior ends are semicircle
and flat. From the anterior to the posterior end a band was
leaf defoliation method of feeding. Number of papillae was
seen on the dorsal side. This stage continues for 2-3 days
and grows to 4.0-4.5 mm (4.5±0.007) by the end of first
grows up to 7.0-7.2 mm (7.1±0.2). The growth can be seen
The pupa was blackish brown in colour with blunt end at
bulge on the top. Towards anterior end prominent stripes
Success rate of larval development varied between

3. World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012
218
A B C
D E F
G
A. Adult E. Instar III
B. Egg F. Instar IV
C. Instar I (Magnified 3 x) G. Pupa
D. Instar II
Fig. 1: Life stages of Castalius rosimon
Fig. 2: Population index of eggs, larvae, pupae of Castalius rosimon based on the investigations of 50 Zizyphus jujuba
plants
Population Index: The numerical frequency of the November (Post monsoon season), which correspond
natural occurrence of the life stages - eggs, larvae and post monsoon in study locality.
pupae, on host plant Z. jujuba was given (Fig. 2). All
stages could be spotted out during September -

4. Total food consumption (mg/day)
1.00.75.50.250.00
1.00
.75
.50
.25
0.00
Larvalbodyweight(mg/day)
World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012
219
Table 1: Food consumption and larval weight gain of Castalius rosimon larva on Zizyphus jujuba leaves
Instar No Weight of food ingested (mg) Wt. of faecal matter (mg) Wt. gain by larva (mg)
I 0.1510±0.98 0.005±0.02 0.002±0.18
II 0.2550±1.90 0.06±0.310 0.015±1.41
III 0.2810±2.70 0.081±0.92 0.032±1.41
IV 0.3270±5.10 0.164±1.21 0.056±2.30
Table 2: Food indices and utilization efficiency of larval stages of Castalius rosimon
Instar No GR (mg/day/mg) CI (mg/day/mg) AD % ECD % ECI %
I 0.236 0.44 77.5 10.15 7.86
II 0.763 0.28 67.67 19.01 12.86
III 2.315 0.33 67.23 24.3 16.33
IV 3.55 0.35 48.24 38.8 42.83
GR = Growth rate, CI = consumption index, AD = Approximate digestibility, ECD = Efficiency of conversion of digested food,
ECI = Efficiency of conversion of ingested food
Fig. 3: Relationship between food consumption and AD values signifies the selective feeding of last stage
growth in Castalius rosimon instar as the host plant has high nutritional levels.
Food Indices: The data relatively to the quantitative crude fiber as they become aged which influences AD
assessment of food consumption, weight gain and the values to decrease along the successive instars [9, 15, 16].
values of five nutritional indices for different instars are The values of ECD across the instars showed an
given (Table 1). The food consumption and weight that increasing trend from 10.15-38.8 from early to late instars.
gain by the successive instars ran on similar lines. An inverse relation is expected between assimilation
Regression of weight gain on food intake revealed a efficiency AD (77.5-48.24) and efficiency of conversion
straight line relationship between the two events with of digested food or net conversion efficiency ECD
correlation coefficient obtain at r value (r = 0.968) at 0.01 (10.15-38.8). Present study values correlates with the
level and t value =8.011. This reveals the significance, above statement. The efficiency conversion of digested
between the food intake and weight gained with advances food increases signifies the high utilization of digested
of instar (Fig. 3). food for successive growth. Efficiency of conversion of
The values of relative growth increased and ingested food or gross conversion efficiency ECI is a
consumption index tended to increase from instar II to IV, product of AD and ECD [9]. The values of ECI may
instar I had a highest value of Consumption index. The increase, decreases or show little changes depending on
values of AD (Approximate digestibility) decreased the extent to which the changes in AD and ECD
through instars, the values of both ECD (Efficiency of compensate each other [14]. The ECI values in the present
conversion of digested food) and ECI (Efficiency of study varied 7.86-42.83. They showed a continuous
conversion of ingested food) showed a similar pattern increase from first instar to late instar. The greater ECI
with an increase from instars I to IV (Table 2). values show the ideal growth and food conversion to
The CI values of the first instar has very high value biomass though consumed at slower rate and high ECD
later suddenly decreases in instar II and then gradually values (10.15-38.8) shows efficiency of assimilated food
increases from instar II to instar IV. The high consumption between biomass production and metabolic costs as the
index of early instars and corresponding low ECI is due to instars grows.
low conversion efficiency of ingested food. GR range from
0.236-3.55 Scriber and Feeny [10] found higher growth
rates in penultimate than in final instars. The GR of
penultimate and final instars of butterfly species of
present study is in line with the increasing trend in growth
rate from penultimate to final instars. Thus, an increase in
both consumption and growth occurred through the
larvae ages. Such an increase was considered essential to
accumulate energy-rich fat to meet the metabolic
requirements of non-feeding pupal and adult stages
[9, 11-14]. AD values rangefrom 77.5-48.24 the decrease in
The larvae ingest a larger proportion of indigestible

5. World J. Zool., 7 (3): 216-220, 2012
220
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 7. Gay, T., I.D. Kehimkar and J.C. Punetha, 1992.
The senior author Dr. S.P. Venkata Ramana Asst. 8. New, T.R., R.M. Pyle, J.A. Thomas, C.D. Thomas and
Professor, Dept. of Animal sciences, Yogi Vemana P.C. Hammona, 1995. Butterfly conservation and
University, Kadapa greatly acknowledge to CSIR, New management. Annual Review of Entomology,
Delhi for financial support through a major research 40: 57-83.
project. 9. Waldbauer, G.P., 1968. The consumption and
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