Development, Host Preference and Leaf Consumption of the Lime Swallow Tail Butterfly, Papilio Polytes Romulus Cramer (Papilionidae: Lepidoptera) on Citrus

Studies were conducted to know the developmental period and host preference of the lime swallow tail butterfly, Papilio polytes romulus Cramer and leaf consumption by its larvae on citrus in the laboratory. Ten Citrus host plants such as Kagoji lime-BAU-1, BAU-2, BAU-3, BAU-4, BARI kagoji, elachi lime, sweet orange, orange, jamir and Pumelo were used as study materials. Results revealed that the most preferred host of Papilio polytes romulus L. was Elachi followed by BAU-3 and Orange while the least preferred host was Pumelo. Eggs were pale yellow and spherical. The average length of newly hatched caterpillars, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae were 2.32 mm, 10.75 mm, 14.50 mm, 24.80 mm and 39.50 mm, respectively. The mean duration of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th instar larvae and pre-pupa were 2.20, 2.15, 2.35, 2.25, 2.35 and 1.0 days, respectively. The average length of the pupal stage, adult male and female butterfly were 29.50, 24.00 and 25.75 mm, respectively. The mean longevity of female and male was 6.5 and 3.9 days. The percentage of leaf area consumed was increased with increasing the age of larvae. The highest percentage of leaf area was consumed by the 5th instar larva (100) followed by 4th instar (75) while the lowest percentage of leaf area was consumed by the 1st instar larva (15) in 72 hours after release. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 45(1): 111-125, June 2019