Lifecycle of <i>Caligo memno</i> species (Lepidoptera: Brassolinae) and <i>Heliconius ismenius</i> (Lepidoptera: Heliconinae) under controlled conditions

Abstract

Honduras is a country with a great diversity of butterflies and moths, their singularity, beauty and colors makes us work these insects as a non-lumbering forest resource that may be used in the country for its high biodiversity, which has been undervalued. The following investigation studies the life cycle of Heliconius ismenius (Lepidóptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconinae) and Caligo memnon (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Brassolinae), which took place in Tegucigalpa, more specifiquely, at the Entomology Laboratory and the “Anartia” Butterfly Farm at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras. Biology and ethology aspects were registered as they grew in both species, such as: food requirements, migrations, time invested on feeding, growth, among others. The applied method was totally based on the basic butterfly farm outlines, which selects a small number of individuals (couples needed for successful reproduction) from any source to start the process. Caligo memnon adapted very well to these conditions during the whole process, the contrary occurred to Heliconius ismenius, whose life cycle was believed to be interrupted by the environmental conditions at the time. Both species adapt well to laboratory and field conditions, some differences occur in time of growth when both conditions are compared.

Key words: Life cycle: (stages or changes); Lepidoptera; (butterfly); Anartia Universitaria (butterfly farm); breeding stock (widgets).

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.521

Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 87-106