Life history traits of cycad blue butterfly, Luthrodes pandava Horsfield (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on cycad hosts in an Island ecosystem

Abstract

The life history traits (egg, larva, and pupa stage) of the Lycaenidae butterfly, Luthrodes pandava Horsfield (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) observed and trapped on cycad plants are described from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI), India. The diversity of cycad host plants offered as larval food influences fecundity and conservation status. Zamia furfuracea is recorded for the first time as a cycad host plant and seasonal polyphenism in the ANI, India.