The efficiency of food utilization by the Plain orange-tip butterfly Colotis aurora (Cramer, 1780) (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera: Pieridae) in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh – India
K.V. Bhagyasree* and S.P. Venkata Ramana**
Department of Zoology, Yogi Vema na University Kadapa - 516005 (India) email: spvramana.butterfly@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Butterflies were fascinating creatures known for their colorful wings and graceful flight3. Butterflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they play a crucial role in pollination and as indicators of environmental health7. The butterfly fauna of India was rich with over 1500 species which is close to 9% of the total butterfly species of the world16. The Western Ghats region in southern India is known for its high butterflydiversity, with over 330 species found in the region alone18. Colotis aurora, commonly known as the plain orange- tip butterfly, was a beautiful butterfly species belonging to the family Pieridae found in Africa and South-Western Asia10. The nominate subspecies, Colotis aurora aurora was found in India and Sri Lanka9. The larvae of al The study detailed the life cycle, monthly occurrence, seasonality, and larval performance of the plain orange-tip butterfly, Colotis aurora, in terms of food consumption and utilization. Field research indicates that Colotis aurora reproduces and flies continuously, with maximum densities of early and adult stages occurring during the South-West monsoon period from June to September. The study found a positive correlation between early-stage occurrence and temperature, day duration, relative humidity, and rainfall, but not statistically significant.