Longevity of adult butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of eight species raised in captivity

Abstract

This study was carried out to estimate the average life time of adult butterflies of eight species raised in captivity. Three hundred and ninety four butterflies were marked at birth, of which 132 (33.5%) were found after their deaths. The only individual of Heliconius erato found after death lived for the longest period (100 days), followed by individuals of Hamadryas februa (32 days ± 7.4), Caligo brasiliensis (28.5 ± 14.8), Caligo illioneus (28 ± 25.2), Anteos menippe (26 ± 14.7), Dryas iulia (18 ± 11.9), Siproeta stelnes (17 ± 9.1) and Biblis hyperia (15 ± 4,9). Those values are generally smaller than those found by other authors for butteflies living in natural environments. This difference is probably due to the fact that insects raised in captivity are exposed to environmental conditions different from those in natural habitats and which can influence adult longevity. Keywords: longevity; butterfly house, captivity, Nymphalidae, Pieridae.