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Species of the tribe Baorini of the family Hesperiidae from the Arabian Peninsula are presented with a description of Araboreliquia gen. nov. and Araboreliquia saudica sp. nov. Belenois gidica (Godart in Latreille & Godart, [1819]) (Pieridae) is first recorded in the Arabian Peninsula with the description of Belenois gidica pavlichkoisubsp. nov. Plebejus(Plebejidea) loewii kerkhofi subsp. nov. (Lycaenidae) is described from north-eastern Oman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article presents the results of studying the fauna of Lepidoptera in the North Kazakhstan region in the field season of 2023. An annotated check-list includes 162 species from the families Psychidae, Plutellidae, Depressariidae, Autostichidae, Gelechiidae, Pterophoridae, Pyralidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae, Cossidae, Sesiidae, Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Satyridae, Drepanidae, Geometridae, Lasiocampidae, Lemoniidae, Endromididae, Sphingidae, Notodontidae, Arctiidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae. 47 species reported from the North Kazakhstan region for the first time.

The distribution of the species Baltia butleri (Moore, 1882), a scheduled species, has been recorded in the High Altitude areas of Ladakh and Spiti. The present studies deal with its status in the Himalayas and its taxonomy, including the details of its male and female genitalia, which have been described and illustrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; fire ants) are an invasive species that prey on arthropods in the southern United States. Researchers examined using fire ants to control agricultural Lepidoptera pests, but minimal research has investigated the effects of fire ants on the broader butterfly community. Three ranches in Texas, USA, with known fire ant occurrence underwent treatment to remove fire ants, creating a treated section and an untreated section for each ranch. We sampled sites using colored pan traps 3 times per sampling period during 2018 and 2019. Over 2 years, we collected 1,262 butterflies across 28 species in pan traps. Average butterfly abundance was higher in treated sites than untreated sites. The majority of species collected were in the family Hesperiidae, followed by the Pieridae family. We found Hesperiidae species more often in blue pan traps and Pieridae species more often in yellow pan traps. Butterfly species that overwinter as immature stages were more abundant in treated sites than in untreated sites, which suggests there could be a connection between fire ant presence and mortality of overwintering immature stages. Our results suggest that fire ants may negatively affect butterfly communities and differentially affect certain species. Additional research is needed to understand the effects of fire ants on butterflies and the overall pollinator community, and the effectiveness of pan traps for surveying Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of Eurema daira daira (Godart, 1819) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on Cuba is documented for the first time. This is based on adult specimens, eggs, and pupa observed and collected in Varadero, Hicacos Peninsula, Matanzas, during November 2023. The implications of this discovery are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the first observation for Italy of ab. cremonae Verity, 1911 of Colias croceus (Fourcroy, 1785). This is an extremely rare form characterized by a lemon-yellow background color instead of the orange color typical of the nominal form of Colias croceus. This peculiarity is linked to a genetic mutation that suppresses the expression of orange/red (and pink) coloration due to erythropterin pigments, so that their absence prevents the appearance of orange color on the wings and of the pink color normally observed on the antennae, legs, fringes, and the hair vestiture of the head and thorax. The present report is based on a single male specimen recorded on 7 October 2021 near Benna (Biella, Piedmont), where Colias croceus was abundant. The presence of this aberration is relatively frequent in the Azores Islands (particularly Faial) and has also been reported for Madeira and Hasmieh (Lebanon), the site of origin of the first specimen ever collected. This aberration was previously unrecorded in Italy and is yet unknown in most of continental Europe. Another yellow aberration of Colias croceus, known as ab. erateformis, originally recorded in Romania and, later, from other West Palaearctic (mostly Mediterranean) areas, is considered a different one in which the red pigment is still present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The present study deals with the butterfly diversity in Soraipung Range of Dehing Patkai National Park. The site was chosen on the basis that it lies in between Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma which is acclaimed as global biodiversity hotspot. Results A total of 92 butterfly species belonging to 5 families were recorded during the study of which 13 species were listed as protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and 11 species were restricted to the Eastern Himalaya, India. Members of the Nymphalidae family were found to be dominant with (41) number of species followed by Papilionidae (17), Lycaenidae (16), Hesperiidae (10) and the least Pieridae (8). The maximum diversity is obtained in Nymphalidae family: where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 3.604584 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651 while the minimum diversity is in Pieridae family where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 1.936217 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651. Conclusions The study reveals that Soraipung range is rich in butterfly diversity but on the contrary their study is poorly documented. During the survey 13 threatened species and 11 species restricted to the Eastern Himalaya have been also documented in the National Park, thus making it an important butterfly habitat in the state. Therefore, its necessary to conduct more study as well as research on the butterflies in Dehing Patkai National Park for effective conservation and management programs.

Ornithoptera priamus pronomus (Gray), Elodina walkeri (Butler) Yoma sabina (Cramer), and Euploea tulliolus tulliolus (Fabricius) are recorded from Batavia Landing, extending each butterfly's known distributions to approximately 50 km north of Weipa on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are over 2,240 butterfly species of Lepidoptera belonging to 17 families recorded in Poland. Of those, 63 phytophagous species have been noted in vegetable agrocenoses at a level of pest status. They constitute 18% of all harmful entomofauna found on vegetable crops. The species described in this paper are common on all vegetable crops growing in Poland, and all parts of plants. The most abundant pests found on aerial parts of crops include the silver Y moth (Autographa gamma), which causes damage to 20 species of vegetables, and species belonging to the genera Mamestra, Lacanobia and Anarta, which feed on more than 10 vegetable species. Of the polyphagous leaf roller moths (Tortricidae), the most numerous are the species belonging to the genus Cnephasia. Periodically, they pose a significant threat, among others for beetroot, pea, cucumber, and lettuce. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and the cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae) are dominant butterfly pests on brassica vegetables. A component of harmful entomofauna on onion crops is leek moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella), a species permanently dominant on onion vegetables in Poland since 1930s. The species of the family Depressariidae cause the greatest damage on the generative organs of seed crops, mainly of dill, carrot and parsley. Underground parts of vegetable crops are damaged by cut-worms (Noctuidae), which belong to the group of soil-borne pests. Among more than 60 species belonging to this family, nine cause the greatest damage to vegetable crops. The turnip moth (Agrotis segetum), as a dominant species in recent years, accounted for about 80% of cutworms damaging vegetable crops, and prefers onion, leek, carrot, parsley, celery and corn. Although the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is considered a polyphagous species, it forms the most abundant populations on maize out of all other crops.

During two trips in the spring (May 2018, April 2019) and one in the late summer (September 2021), the butterfly fauna of the Serra de Arrábida Natural Park in central Portugal was inventoried. The park is located along the Atlantic Ocean in the Sado estuary and is therefore subject to a mild maritime climate with quite a lot of rainfall in spring. The forests of the Natural Park are of the Mediterranean maquis type and are home to colonies of Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767), Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767), Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lycaenidae), Muschampia proto (Ochsenheimer, 1808) (Hesperiidae), Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767) (Nymphalidae) and Zerynthia rumina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Papilionidae). Egg-laying Vanessa virginiensis (Drury, 1773) (Nymphalidae) was observed in the maquis but successful reproduction (e.g. a successful caterpillar stage) could not be confirmed. In and along the vineyards of the Natural Park, with Moscatel as the most famous grape, there are populations of Euchloe crameri (Butler, 1869), Euchloe belemia (Esper, 1800) (Pieridae) and Pyronia bathseba (Fabricius, 1793) (Nymphalidae). Iphiclides feisthamelii (Duponchel, 1832) (Papilionidae) and Melanargia ines Hoffmannsegg, 1804 (Nymphalidae) are species of the rocky area in the park such as the Serra do Louro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study deals with the butterfly diversity in Soraipung Range of Dehing Patkai National Park. The site was chosen on the basis that it lies in between Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma which is acclaimed as global biodiversity hotspot. Results: A total of 92 butterfly species belonging to 5 families were recorded during the study of which 13 species were listed as protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and 11 species were restricted to the Eastern Himalaya, India. Members of the Nymphalidae family were found to be dominant with (41) number of species followed by Papilionidae (17), Lycaenidae (16), Hesperiidae (10) and the least Pieridae (8). The maximum diversity is obtained in Nymphalidae family: where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 3.604584 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651 while the minimum diversity is in Pieridae family where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 1.936217 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651. Conclusions: The study reveals that Soraipung range is rich in butterfly diversity but on the contrary their study is poorly documented. During the survey 13 threatened species and 11 species restricted to the Eastern Himalaya have been also documented in the National Park, thus making it an important butterfly habitat in the state. Therefore, its necessary to conduct more study as well as research on the butterflies in Dehing Patkai National Park for effective conservation and management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pierid butterflies belong to family Pieridae of Order Lepidoptera. They are serious pest of many valuable plants in larval stage but adult forms play major role in pollination. In present study surveys were carried out in order to explore Pierid butterfly fauna of district Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during March 2017 to February 2018. A total of 110 specimens were collected which were identified into 8 species pertaining 5 genera of family Pieridae; Catopsila ponoma (Fabricius 1775), Catopsila pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758), Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1857), Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus 1758), Pontia daplidace (Linnaeus, 1758), Pieris canidia (Sparrman, 1768), Colias electo (Linnaeus, 1763) and Colias erate (Esper, 1805). Among collected species Pieris canidia was found most abundant followed by Pieris brasiscae whereas Colias electo was recorded in lowest number from study area. It is concluded that district Abbottabad has diverse butterfly fauna. Present research will be helpful in identification of butterfly fauna for future researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Two genes, Distal-less (Dll) and spalt (sal), are known to be involved in establishing nymphalid butterfly wing patterns. They function in several ways: in the differentiation of the eyespot’s central signalling cells, or foci; in the differentiation of the surrounding black disc; in overall scale melanisation (Dll); and in elaborating marginal patterns, such as parafocal elements. However, little is known about the functions of these genes in the development of wing patterns in other butterfly families. Here, we study the expression and function of Dll and sal in the development of spots and other melanic wing patterns of the Indian cabbage white, Pieris canidia, a pierid butterfly. In P. canidia, both Dll and Sal proteins are expressed in the scale-building cells at the wing tips, in chevron patterns along the pupal wing margins, and in areas of future scale melanisation. Additionally, Sal alone is expressed in the future black spots. CRISPR knockouts of Dll and sal showed that each gene is required for the development of melanic wing pattern elements, and repressing pteridine granule formation, in the areas where they are expressed. We conclude that both genes likely play ancestral roles in organising distal butterfly wing patterns, across pierid and nymphalid butterflies, but are unlikely to be differentiating signalling centres in pierids black spots. The genetic and developmental mechanisms that set up the location of spots and eyespots are likely distinct in each lineage.

The distribution of wood whites of the genus Leptidea in the northeast of European Russia was analyzed by DNA barcoding, using a mitochondrial COI gene fragment 658 bp long. The presence of three species in the region was confirmed: L.sinapis (Linnaeus, 1758), L.morsei (Fenton, 1881) and L.juvernica Williams, 1946. Speciesspecific sites were identified in the studied nucleotide sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents the morphological observations of three males and two females of a species from the genus Leptidea (Pieridae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of insect herbivores feed on plants that may vary nutritionally (qualitatively and/or quantitatively) over the course of insect development. Plant quality may change in response to interactions with the biotic environment that in turn may affect development and biomass of the insects feeding on these plants. However, the larvae of many gregariously feeding herbivores feed on comparatively small plants with limited biomass and may also experience variation in the quantity of plant food available. Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a gregarious butterfly species laying clutches of 10–150 eggs that are often laid on small brassicaceous food plants, including the plant used in this study, Brassica nigra L. (Brassicaceae). A single B. nigra plant provides insufficient resources for the development of an entire brood of P. brassicae. In this study, we investigated the effect of both plant quality and quantity on the performance of P. brassicae when feeding on B. nigra plants. When we compared the effects of changes in plant quality induced by (1) aphid infestation, (2) exposure to pathogenic and non‐pathogenic bacteria, and (3) inbreeding depression, which are all biotic stresses known to change plant quality, pupal mass and larval development time of P. brassicae were fairly similar. We then examined the effects of quantitative food constraints during immature development on pupal mass, which correlated strongly with adult size, longevity, and fecundity. Female pupal mass, longevity and fecundity were negatively correlated with the duration of starvation during larval development. No significant effect of male starvation was found on female reproduction and longevity. Thus, P. brassicae larvae were more affected by quantitative than by qualitative constraints in terms of pupal mass, which strongly correlated with female reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Male butterflies transfer sperm to the female within a package of secretions named spermatophore. These secretions include nutritious substances (butterfly spermatophores are considered nuptial gifts) and compounds that influence different reproductive processes of females in a hormone-like way. During copulation, the spermatophore is deposited in a complex female bag-like organ known as the bursa copulatrix, where it is processed and digested. Thus, the bursa copulatrix mediates male–female interactions during and after copulation that are crucial to the reproductive success of males and females. We studied Leptophobia aripa, a common butterfly in Central Mexico that, contrary to what has been observed in most butterfly species previously studied, does not digest the spermatophore (i.e., spermatophores are not nutritious nuptial gifts in this species). We present a detailed description of the different elements of the bursa copulatrix and of its interaction with the spermatophore. We provide a functional interpretation of these interactions and propose a novel mechanism for the transfer of the sperm from the spermatophore to its final storage organ (another bag-like organ named the spermatheca). The bursa copulatrix of female Lepidoptera is a complex organ where crucial male–female reproductive interactions occur during and after copulation. The bursa copulatrix receives, stores, and digests the spermatophore and other substances transferred by the male during copulation, and is involved in changes in female receptivity, ovogenesis, and oviposition. Although females of the butterfly Leptophobia aripa do not digest the spermatophore, they possess a prominent signum. Since, in general, the function of the signum is considered to be the piercing or tearing of the spermatophore to initiate its digestion, its presence in L. aripa poses a conundrum. We undertook a microscopic study of the different components of the bursa copulatrix (ductus bursae and corpus bursae) and found structural differences that we interpreted in functional terms. We provide a detailed description of the signum and present experimental data regarding its effect on the spermatophore. Our observations led us to propose a novel hypothesis regarding the function of the signum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the monitoring period of the lepidopteran entomofauna we collected 29 species, which systematically belong to the following families: 7 from the Lycaenidae, 17 from the Nymphalidae and 5 from the Pieridae. The species with the highest abundance are: Maniola jurtina L., Boloria selene Denis & Schiffermüller, Argynnis paphia L., Pieris mannii Mayer, Pseudophilotes schiffermuelleri Hemming and Coenonympha pamphilus L. The relatively good state of biodiversity conservation in the area is confirmed by the fact that in Pseudophilotes schiffermuelleri Hemming, Argynnis paphia L. and Coenonympha pamphilus L. which are potentially threatened taxa in Romania, in this area the population is well represented. From the Nymphalidae family, Boloria selene Denis & Schiffermüller is one of the most vulnerable taxa in the country, in the Bilbor area it is a well-represented species. Colias myrmidone Esper, which is in decline in Europe and is on the verge of extinction, still has a very small population only in the Bilbor and Gheorgheni area at an altitude of about 1000 m. Lycaena dispar rutile Werneburg, Lycaena thersamon Esper and Colias australis Verity considered considered vulnerable taxa in the country, in the Bilbor area still have a very small population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in body size in response to environmental factors (especially temperature) is one of the crucial traits studied in connection with insect adaptation to climate change. However, current data on the strength and direction of temperature-size responses in Lepidoptera are inconsistent and the reasons for this are unclear. This study investigates the relationship between the adult size of Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and spring weather conditions (temperature and rainfall) at different phases in its outbreak cycle (low population density or high abundance). The forewing area of A. crataegi, a univoltine and irruptive Lepidopteran species, was used as a proxy for overall body size. It was found that temperature in the last month before imago emergence (May) and temperature in the larval growth period following overwintering (April) had differing effects on imago size. The fact that the wing size of both male and female A. crataegi increased following higher temperatures in May corresponds with the converse temperature-size rule and is consistent with the predictions of life history theory for univoltine species. Conversely, while imago size decreased following higher temperatures in April, increased rainfall had a slightly positive effect on imago size. The wings of A. crataegi at the peak of abundance were larger than when sampled during periods of low population density, contradicting available data on changes in the body weight of A. crataegi recorded during outbreaks.

Two genes, Distal-less (Dll) and spalt (sal), are known to be involved in establishing nymphalid butterfly wing patterns. They function in several ways: in the differentiation of the eyespot's central signalling cells, or foci; in the differentiation of the surrounding black disc; in overall scale melanisation (Dll); and in elaborating marginal patterns, such as parafocal elements. However, little is known about the functions of these genes in the development of wing patterns in other butterfly families. Here, we study the expression and function of Dll and sal in the development of spots and other melanic wing patterns of the Indian cabbage white, Pieris canidia, a pierid butterfly. In P. canidia, both Dll and Sal proteins are expressed in the scale-building cells at the wing tips, in chevron patterns along the pupal wing margins, and in areas of future scale melanisation. Additionally, Sal alone is expressed in the future black spots. CRISPR knockouts of Dll and sal showed that each gene is required for the development of melanic wing pattern elements, and repressing pteridine granule formation, in the areas where they are expressed. We conclude that both genes likely play ancestral roles in organising distal butterfly wing patterns, across pierid and nymphalid butterflies, but are unlikely to be differentiating signalling centres in pierids black spots. The genetic and developmental mechanisms that set up the location of spots and eyespots are likely distinct in each lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a primary inventory of the butterfly diversity of the Upper Ganga River Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh, India. The study was carried out in two phases, first in March 2019 and then in November 2019. A total of 44 species of butterflies belonging to 34 genera and five families were seen in the area. The species observed in the study site belonged to the families Hesperiidae (4 genera, 4 species), Lycaenidae (4 genera, 4 species), Nymphalidae (18 genera, 24 species), Papilionidae (2 genera, 4 species), and Pieridae (6 genera, 8 species). Three of these species are legally protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cabbage white butterflies (Pieris spp.) can be severe pests of Brassica crops such as Chinese cabbage, Pak choi (Brassica rapa) or cabbages (B. oleracea). Eggs of Pieris spp. can induce a hypersensitive response-like (HR-like) cell death which reduces egg survival in the wild black mustard (B. nigra). Unravelling the genetic basis of this egg-killing trait in Brassica crops could improve crop resistance to herbivory, reducing major crop losses and pesticides use. Here we investigated the genetic architecture of a HR-like cell death induced by P. brassicae eggs in B. rapa. Results: A germplasm screening of 56 B. rapa accessions, representing the genetic and geographical diversity of a B. rapa core collection, showed phenotypic variation for cell death. An image-based phenotyping protocol was developed to accurately measure size of HR-like cell death and was then used to identify two accessions that consistently showed weak (R-o-18) or strong cell death response (L58). Screening of 160 RILs derived from these two accessions resulted in three novel QTLs for Pieris brassicae-induced cell death on chromosomes A02 (Pbc1), A03 (Pbc2), and A06 (Pbc3). The three QTLs Pbc1–3 contain cell surface receptors, intracellular receptors and other genes involved in plant immunity processes, such as ROS accumulation and cell death formation. Synteny analysis with A. thaliana suggested that Pbc1 and Pbc2 are novel QTLs associated with this trait, while Pbc3 also contains an ortholog of LecRK-I.1, a gene of A. thaliana previously associated with cell death induced by a P. brassicae egg extract. Conclusions: This study provides the first genomic regions associated with the Pieris egg-induced HR-like cell death in a Brassica crop species. It is a step closer towards unravelling the genetic basis of an egg-killing crop resistance trait, paving the way for breeders to further fine-map and validate candidate genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies are sensitive towards changes in the environment. Therefore, they are often used as bioindicators on the status and health of the environment. The study was conducted in Tinago, San Jose, Koronadal City to provide baseline information on the species composition of butterfly fauna specifically in the agroecosystem. Using opportunistic rapid sampling, it revealed 16 species of butterflies belonging to 4 families and 14 genera. The dominant family is Pieridae (38%), followed by Nymphalidae (31%), Lycaenidae (25%) and Papilionidae (6%). The data further showed all species are classified as common and one species is endemic in Mindanao, Eurema alitha alitha. An endangered butterfly listed in Appendix II of CITES, Troides rhadamantus rhadamantus, was also recorded in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colias fieldii is a common seen diurnal butterflies in the fields and widely distributed in many provinces of China. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of C. fieldii. This mitogenome was 15,150 bp long and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA unit genes (rRNAs). The overall base composition of the mitogenome was estimated to be A 39.8%, T 41.2%, C 11.4% and G 7.6%, with a high A + T content of 81.0%. Except for cox1 started with CGA, all other PCGs started with the standard ATN codons (seven ATG, four ATT and one ATC). Most of the PCGs terminated with the stop codon TAA or TAG, whereas cox1, cox2, nad5 and nad4 end with the incomplete codon T––. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. fieldii is indeed the sister species of Colias erate with a high support value. All seven Coliadinae species formed one clade and was sister to Pierinae butterflies. Within Coliadinae, the relationships (Eurema + (Gonepteryx + (Catopsilia + Colias))) were highly supported.

The butterfly diversity of Amrabad Tiger Reserve was assessed from March 2018 to February 2021. A total of 106 species belonging to the families Nymphalidae (36 species), Lycaenidae (30 species), Pieridae (18 species), Hesperiidae (14 species), and Papilionidae (8 species) were recorded. Of these, 12 species belonged to the Schedules I, II & IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, and four were common in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Learning abilities help animals modify their behaviors based on experience and innate sensory biases to confront environmental unpredictability. In a food acquisition context, the ability to detect, learn, and switch is fundamental in a wide range of insect species facing the ever-changing availability of their floral rewards. Here, we used an experimental approach to address the innate color preferences and learning abilities of the common green-eyed white butterfly (Leptophobia aripa). Methods: In Experiment 1, we conducted innate preference choice-tests to determine whether butterflies had a strong innate color preference and to evaluate whether color preferences differed depending on the array of colors offered. We faced naïve butterflies to artificial flowers of four colors (quadruple choice-test): yellow, pink, white, and red; their choices were assessed. In Experiment 2, we examined the ability of this butterfly species to associate colors with rewards while exploring if the spectral reflectance value of a flower color can slow or accelerate this behavioral response. Butterflies were first trained to be fed from artificial yellow flowers inserted in a feeder. These were later replaced by artificial flowers with a similar (blue) or very different (white) spectral reflectance range. Each preference test comprised a dual-choice test (yellow vs blue, yellow vs white). Results: Butterflies showed an innate strong preference for red flowers. Both the number of visits and the time spent probing these flowers were much greater than the pink, white, and yellow color flowers. Butterflies learn to associate colors with sugar rewards. They then learned the newly rewarded colors as quickly and proficiently as if the previously rewarded color was similar in spectral reflectance value; the opposite occurs if the newly rewarded color is very different than the previously rewarded color. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that common green-eyed white butterflies have good learning abilities. These capabilities may allow them to respond rapidly to different color stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Pieridae family includes the most familiar butterflies also known as Cabbage-White and Grass Yellow. They have a long stable status of the species in this family. A faunistic study on the Pieridae family was carried out in the West of Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. A total of 7 species of the family (5 genera) were collected. These species were: Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758), Pieris (napi) pseudorapae (Verity, 1908), Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758), Aporia crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758), Pontia (daplidice) edusa (Linnaeus, 1758; Fabricius, 1777), Colias crocea (Fourcroy, 1758), and Gonepteryx rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758). For these species, illustrations of adults’ upper wing and lower wing morphology and their male genitalia are given.

In this document we extend the geographical distribution for three common species of diurnal butterflies from the Colombian Caribbean region (Aides dysoni, Calpodes ethlius, and Anteos clorinde). The specimens were captured with an insect net in samplings conducted in the Arjona jurisdiction (Bolivar, Deparment) in 2015, between 8:00 and 16:00 hours. For each of them we provide important morphological characters for their recognition, and complement their distribution in the Neotropic.

We study the systematics and evolutionary history of the Afrotropical butterfly genus Mylothris (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) based on six gene regions (COI, EF1a, GAPDH, MDH, RpS5 and wingless). We find that the genus can be placed into five species groups, termed the jacksoni, elodina, rhodope, agathina and hilara groups. Within these species groups, we find that many species show very little genetic differentiation based on the markers we sequenced, suggesting they have undergone rapid and recent speciation. Based on secondary calibrations, we estimate the age of the crown group of Mylothris to be about 16 million years old, but that many of the species level divergences have happened in the Pleistocene. We infer that the clade has its origin in the forests of the Eastern part of Central Africa, and has spread out from there to other regions of Africa.

Abstract The sky islands of southeastern Arizona (AZ) mark a major transition zone between tropical and temperate biota and are considered a neglected biodiversity hotspot. Dispersal ability and host plant specificity are thought to impact the history and diversity of insect populations across the sky islands. We aimed to investigate the population structure and phylogeography of two pine‐feeding pierid butterflies, the pine white (Neophasia menapia) and the Mexican pine white (Neophasia terlooii), restricted to these “islands” at this transition zone. Given their dependence on pines as the larval hosts, we hypothesized that habitat connectivity affects population structure and is at least in part responsible for their allopatry. We sampled DNA from freshly collected butterflies from 17 sites in the sky islands and adjacent high‐elevation habitats and sequenced these samples using ddRADSeq. Up to 15,399 SNPs were discovered and analyzed in population genetic and phylogenetic contexts with Stacks and pyRAD pipelines. Low genetic differentiation in N. menapia suggests that it is panmictic. Conversely, there is strong evidence for population structure within N. terlooii. Each sky island likely contains a population of N. terlooii, and clustering is hierarchical, with populations on proximal mountains being more related to each other. The N. menapia habitat, which is largely contiguous, facilitates panmixia, while the N. terlooii habitat, restricted to the higher elevations on each sky island, creates distinct population structure. Phylogenetic results corroborate those from population genetic analyses. The historical climate‐driven fluxes in forest habitat connectivity have implications for understanding the biodiversity of fragmented habitats.

Background Learning abilities help animals modify their behaviors based on experience and innate sensory biases to confront environmental unpredictability. In a food acquisition context, the ability to detect, learn, and switch is fundamental in a wide range of insect species facing the ever-changing availability of their floral rewards. Here, we used an experimental approach to address the innate color preferences and learning abilities of the common green-eyed white butterfly (Leptophobia aripa). Methods In Experiment 1, we conducted innate preference choice-tests to determine whether butterflies had a strong innate color preference and to evaluate whether color preferences differed depending on the array of colors offered. We faced naïve butterflies to artificial flowers of four colors (quadruple choice-test): yellow, pink, white, and red; their choices were assessed. In Experiment 2, we examined the ability of this butterfly species to associate colors with rewards while exploring if the spectral reflectance value of a flower color can slow or accelerate this behavioral response. Butterflies were first trained to be fed from artificial yellow flowers inserted in a feeder. These were later replaced by artificial flowers with a similar (blue) or very different (white) spectral reflectance range. Each preference test comprised a dual-choice test (yellow vs blue, yellow vs white). Results Butterflies showed an innate strong preference for red flowers. Both the number of visits and the time spent probing these flowers were much greater than the pink, white, and yellow color flowers. Butterflies learn to associate colors with sugar rewards. They then learned the newly rewarded colors as quickly and proficiently as if the previously rewarded color was similar in spectral reflectance value; the opposite occurs if the newly rewarded color is very different than the previously rewarded color. Conclusions Our findings suggest that common green-eyed white butterflies have good learning abilities. These capabilities may allow them to respond rapidly to different color stimulus.

Changes in body size in response to environmental factors (especially temperature) is one of the crucial traits studied in connection with insect adaptation to climate change. However, current data on the strength and direction of temperature-size responses in Lepidoptera are inconsistent and the reasons for this are unclear. This study investigates the relationship between the adult size of Aporia crataegi L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and spring weather conditions (temperature and rainfall) at different phases in its outbreak cycle (low population density or high abundance). The forewing area of A. crataegi, a univoltine and irruptive Lepidopteran species, was used as a proxy for overall body size. It was found that temperature in the last month before imago emergence (May) and temperature in the larval growth period following overwintering (April) had differing effects on imago size. The fact that the wing size of both male and female A. crataegi increased following higher temperatures in May corresponds with the converse temperature-size rule and is consistent with the predictions of life history theory for univoltine species. Conversely, while imago size decreased following higher temperatures in April, increased rainfall had a slightly positive effect on imago size. The wings of A. crataegi at the peak of abundance were larger than when sampled during periods of low population density, contradicting available data on changes in the body weight of A. crataegi recorded during outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bursa copulatrix of female Lepidoptera is a complex organ where crucial male–female reproductive interactions occur during and after copulation. The bursa copulatrix receives, stores, and digests the spermatophore and other substances transferred by the male during copulation, and is involved in changes in female receptivity, ovogenesis, and oviposition. Although females of the butterfly Leptophobia aripa do not digest the spermatophore, they possess a prominent signum. Since, in general, the function of the signum is considered to be the piercing or tearing of the spermatophore to initiate its digestion, its presence in L. aripa poses a conundrum. We undertook a microscopic study of the different components of the bursa copulatrix (ductus bursae and corpus bursae) and found structural differences that we interpreted in functional terms. We provide a detailed description of the signum and present experimental data regarding its effect on the spermatophore. Our observations led us to propose a novel hypothesis regarding the function of the signum.

A new subspecies of Moschoneura pinthous (Linnaeus, 1758), M. p. carmenae Neild & Losada, ssp. nov., is described from the Orinoco Delta in north-eastern Venezuela. The adults, male genitalia, and DNA barcode sequences are documented and compared with neighboring M. p. pinthous from southern Venezuela and the Guianas, and with M. pinthous subspecies from the upper Amazon basin. For the new subspecies, we provide observations and images of its habitat, and discuss flight behavior and possible mimetic associations. Based on the DNA sequence data and observations of analogous pattern variation within comimetic butterfly species, we restore the subspecies status of Moschoneura pinthous ithomia (Hewitson, 1867), stat. rev. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the genetic architecture of life history plasticity may inform resilience under environmental change, but relatively little is known for the inhabitants of unpredictable wet‐dry tropical environments. Here, I explore the quantitative genetics of juvenile growth and development relative to hostplant phenology in the butterfly Eurema hecabe. Wet season generations of this species breed explosively on leguminous annuals whereas dry season generations subsist at low density upon an alternative perennial host. The wet‐to‐dry season transition is temporally unpredictable and marked by widespread host defoliation, forcing a large cohort of stranded larvae to either pupate prematurely or prolong development in the hope of renewed foliage production. A split‐brood experiment demonstrated greater performance on high quality annual as opposed to perennial host foliage and a marked decline under the stressed conditions faced by stranded wet season larvae. Genetic variances for rates of growth and development were equivalent among high quality treatments but strikingly elevated under resource stress, and the associated cross‐environment genetic correlations were indistinguishable from zero. The results demonstrate genotype‐environment interaction involving both rank order and variance scale, thereby revealing genetic variance for norms of reaction that may reflect variable risk aversion given an unpredictable tropical host phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yellow tip butterfly Anthocharis scolymus (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) has a circular mitochondrial genome of 15,230 bp in size. It consists 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two ribosomal RNA genes, and an AT-rich control region. Using whole mitogenome alignments, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of 28 pierid butterflies. The maximum-likelihood (ML) tree topology was consistent with previous studies.

The list comprises type material of butterflies from the Balkan Peninsula kept at Laboratoire d’Entomologie, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. The collection contains types of 26 nominal species group taxa, described primarily by Hans Fruhstorfer, but also by Hans Rebel, Felix Bryk, Curt Eisner, Georges Bernardi. Six taxa belong to the family Papilionidae, one to Pieridae, and 19 to Nymphalidae. For the stability of nomenclature, lectotype has been designated for Euphydryas maturna idunides (Fruhstorfer, 1917).

The butterflies, Melanitis phedima phedima (Cramer, [1780]) (Nymphalidae) and Junonia orythia minagara (Fruhstorfer, 1904) (Nymphalidae) are recorded from Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, Australia for the first time, with M. p. phedima representing a new record for Australia. The historic taxonomic treatment of specimens of M. p. phedima from the island is also discussed. Life histories of Eurema alitha amplexa (Butler, 1887) (Pieridae) and Charaxes andrewsi Butler, 1900 (Nymphalidae) are described for the first time. Several new larval host plants are recorded for these two species, and for Eurema blanda blanda (Boisduval, 1836) (Pieridae), Nacaduba kurava nemana Fruhstorfer, 1916 and Jamides bochus Stoll, 1782 (both Lycaenidae). Observations for Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius, 1775) (Pieridae), Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Nymphalidae) and Petrelaea tombugensis (Röber, 1886) (Lycaenidae) are compared with observations made during previous surveys. A total of 30 species of butterfly are now confirmed from Christmas Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the butterfly diversity of Guwahati, Assam, India which was the result of a survey conducted from April 2016 to July 2020. During the study period we recorded 249 species of butterflies belonging to six families namely Papilionidae (24 species), Pieridae (23 species), Lycaenidae (57 species), Riodinidae (two species), Nymphalidae (97 species), and Hesperiidae (46 species). Twenty-eight species were recorded from commercial areas, 74 species from residential areas, and 248 species from forested areas. Nineteen species were found to be very common, 39 species common, 50 species fairly common, 53 species uncommon, 57 species rare, and 31 species very rare. Twenty-four species and nine subspecies including Discophora sondiaca, Athyma selenophora, and Athyma kanwa phorkys are legally protected under different schedules as per the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The family Pieridae is a large group of butterflies which plays an important role in evolutionary biology and contains many potential pests (Courtney 1986). Pieridae is a cosmopolitan family while the tropics harbour higher species richness. In a very recent expedition to the Chinese-Indian border area in Tibet Autonomous Region, a migratory species, Belenois aurota (Fabricius, 1793), was discovered for the first time, which comprises the first record of the genus Belenois in China and the highest altitude record of this species. New information The species B. aurota (Fabricius, 1793) is the first record of the genus Belenois from China. The specimen was collected at an altitude of about 3,000 m in Tibet Autonomous Region. Relevant details are presented for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies are very sensitive insects for climate change, environmental pollution. Butterflies are model for most of the studies which focus on the effect of climate change on the species richness, change in abundance, species distribution, population size; it is also because of butterflies are umbrella species,. The conservation programme of butterflies will surely help to conserve other species from plants to microscopic organisms. In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the change in butterfly population dynamics through different seasons of the year. According to the observation made during research period it is clear that species richness was the highest from August to November (Monsoon and Early Monsoon) followed by Winter. The lowest were in Hot Summer and Summer that is from February to May. This study is an example for the impact of climate change on the diversity of butterflies from semiarid geographical region of India; revealed the impact of climate on the species composition, species richness and abundance of butterflies. Such studies are very much important to show that the effects of climate change whether it is natural or human induced change the species composition of species directly and indirectly effecting the ecosystem balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se presenta la distribución geográfica y una descripción detallada de las diferentes etapas de desarrollo, así como algunas características biológicas de Leptophobia aripa.

Butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera) are potential pollinators which should be conserved for the benefits of the ecosystem. Osun State has no data base on butterfly species diversity which is necessary for conservation and wildlife management in the State despite intensive agricultural activities. Survey of abundance and diversity of butterfly species as alternative pollinators within south western Nigeria was carried out. Butterfly specimens were collected from four different sites (i) Open field (ii) Cultivated plot (iii) Non-cultivated plot and (iv) Ornamental in each selected study zones using insect sweep net along transects on each site. The collected specimens were preserved and identified up to species level. Data on the abundance and diversity of the specimen were collected and analyzed to establish the relative abundance, diversity, species richness, and evenness in the study areas. A total of 182 butterflies belonging to 30 species and 3 families (Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae) were identified. Nymphalidae was the highest in terms of abundance and species richness. This family accounted for 52.5% of the total butterfly collection with 19 species while the least family, Papilionidae had 3 species and accounted for 6.1% of the total collection. Butterfly diversity was in the following order: Ornamental site >Non-cultivated plot> Cultivated plot> Open field, in the study areas. It is recommended that butterflies which are potential pollinators should be conserved for the benefit of the ecosystem to maintain stability and support human existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]