The present paper describes the population parameters, the behavior, and the geographic range of Parides burchellanus (Westwood, 1872), an endangered papilionid butterfly from Brazil. Population biology was described based on a 13-mo mark-recapture program in a site of riparian forest in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The range of the population size was 10–30 individuals (with a maximum near 100 individuals). Sex ratio was male biased, with males dominating in all months. The age structure was not stable, with an increase in intermediate and old individuals before the population break in the dry season. The residence time was 23.2 ± 18.4 d for males and 16.4 ± 12.5 to females, with a maximum of 73 d recorded for males and 64 d for females. Males can travel distances of up to 950 m and females up to 650 m. When searching for P. burchellanus populations in 63 sites with suitable habitats, only seven actually had resident populations. A combination of high habitat specificity for larvae and adults could explain the rarity of this butterfly. The available data could be used in conservation programs for P. burchellanus, which should include protection of the habitats of all known colonies so far.
Os estágios imaturos de Caligopsis seleucida (Hewitson, 1877) são descritos de estudos em laboratório realizados em Diamantino (Mato Grosso) e Contagem (Minas Gerais). As larvas criadas no Mato Grosso foram alimentadas com Phyllostachys aurea A. & C. Rivieri e Dendrocalanus giganteus Munro (Poaceae), enquanto as outras larvas tiveram como alimento P. aurea e Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. (Poaceae). O desenvolvimento ontogênico de ovo até adulto (no Mato Grosso) foi de 115 dias quando as larvas tiveram cinco ínstares e de 147 dias quando tiveram um ínstar extra. Imaturos e adultos são ilustrados a cores.
Dados sobre os estágios imaturos, o comportamento e a distribuição de Paradaemonia thelia (Jordan) são apresentados. A larva solitária alimenta-se de Chrysophyllum marginatum (Hook. & Arn.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae), sua planta hospedeira natural. Os ovos são postos isolados na face dorsal de folhas maduras. O desenvolvimento larval leva 18 dias e o estágio pupal 32-37 dias. Adultos, ovos, larvas e pupa são ilustrados a cores.
This study was carried out to estimate the average life time of adult butterflies of eight species raised in captivity. Three hundred and ninety four butterflies were marked at birth, of which 132 (33.5%) were found after their deaths. The only individual of Heliconius erato found after death lived for the longest period (100 days), followed by individuals of Hamadryas februa (32 days ± 7.4), Caligo brasiliensis (28.5 ± 14.8), Caligo illioneus (28 ± 25.2), Anteos menippe (26 ± 14.7), Dryas iulia (18 ± 11.9), Siproeta stelnes (17 ± 9.1) and Biblis hyperia (15 ± 4,9). Those values are generally smaller than those found by other authors for butteflies living in natural environments. This difference is probably due to the fact that insects raised in captivity are exposed to environmental conditions different from those in natural habitats and which can influence adult longevity.
Keywords: longevity; butterfly house, captivity, Nymphalidae, Pieridae.
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