Effect of Different Host Plants on the Life Cycle of Papilio polytes Cramer (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) (Common Mormon Butterfly)

Investigation on the life cycle of Papilio polytes Cramer (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) (common mormon butterfly) reared on four host plant species, Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, C. hystrix L., C. reticulata Blanco and Murraya koenigii Sprengle (curry leaf) showed that the butterfly spent the longest larval period on M. koenigii which was significantly different from the time spent on all citrus species. The duration of the pupal stage, however, was the shortest on this host plant. Older instars have longer stadia than the younger instars and the trend of increasing stadium was almost similar in all host plants. No significant differences were detected in the duration of immature stages (larva and pupa), the length and width of pupa and the adult characteristics (length of body, antenna and wingspan) among all citrus species (P = 0.05). However, they were significantly different from individuals reared on M. koenigii. This study revealed that C. reticulata and C. hystrix were the most suitable among the four host plants for this butterfly. The shortest larval duration and life cycle were recorded in the C. reticulata and the biggest pupae and adults occurred on C. hystrix. Murraya koenigii was the least preferred host.