The life history of Kallima inachus inachus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on Strobilanthes clarkei for the first time from Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The life cycle of Kallima inachus inachus (Doyère, [1840]) has been studied in detail from Vijaynagar, Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The larvae of this species feed on Strobilanthes clarkei belonging to the family Acanthaceae, which is being reported here as a new larval host plant of K. i. inachus from India. The eggs were laid singly beneath the surface of the host plant and occasionally near the larval host plant. The entire life history from the incubation period to the enclosing of the adult was completed in 55 to 57 days. During the present study, adult longevity was recorded as 9–12 days. The entire time span and the measurement of various life cycle stages have been discussed.