Eastern Himalaya and northeastern India are part of two global biodiversity hotspots, yet the critical butterfly-plant associations and early stages of most butterfly species in this region are poorly recorded. We have reported early stages and larval host plants of 78 butterfly species, some of which are rare and endemic, providing specific information on spatial and temporal details associated with these records. These records contribute region-specific information on Indian butterflies, which may be useful in basic ecological and conservation studies in the future.
Complete documentation of the early stages of Eurema nilgiriensis (Yata) on the larval host plant Ventilago bombaiensis (Rhamnaceae) is presented in this paper. In addition to this, notes on the range extensions of this species in southern Western Ghats in Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Palakkad districts in Kerala is also provided. Field records from the northern Kerala part of the Western Ghats and the complete biology are reported for the first time since its description in 1990. Photographic records from seven locations since 2011 were confirmed by comparing with the original descriptions and in consultation with the author of the species. Eggs collected from field were reared at home, and every stage observed is also reported, as well as the discovery of the host plant Ventilago bombaiensis. It is concluded that the species is widespread in forested areas at elevations from 70m to 1,000m.
This is the first complete documentation of the early stages of Acytolepis lilacea lilacea, the subspecies from southern India, with the first record of the larval host plant Cycas circinalis, and a comparison with the early stages of Acytolepis puspa felderi Toxopeus, 1927, a sympatric and similar species, highlighting the notable differences. The significant differences noted in the early stages of Acytolepis lilacea lilacea with that of A. puspa are the difference in ornamentation of eggs, more fluffy, blue shaded and less hairy larvae and more elongated pupae. No previous record of the early stages of any of the subspecies of Acytolepis lilacea Hampson, 1889 is available. Preliminary observations regarding the flight period and seasonal varriations of Acytolepis lilacea lilacea, from Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India, are also presented.
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