BIOMORPHOMETRICS AND EFFECT OF NEEM OIL ON THE FOOD CONSUMPTION OF LEMON BUTTERFLY, Papilio demoleus L. (LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONIDAE)

Abstract

Biology and effect of neem oil on the feeding behaviour of lemon butterfly, Papilo demoleus L. were studied in the Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, during September to December 2005. In this study it was found that the mating generally took place 2 to 2.35 days after the emergence of an adult and it continued for 1.50 to 3.30 hours. The pre-ovipostion period varied from 1 to 2 days, while the oviposition period was 2 days. The eggs were laid singly. A female laid 22.1 + 1.41 eggs and 97.52% of the eggs were hatched. The larvae passed through five instars in 16.90 to 20.30 days. The first, the second, the third, the fourth and the final instar larvae were 2.32, 8.15, 16.73, 22.09 and 37.45 mm in lengths, respectively while breadths were 0.73, 1.49, 4.26, 6.58 and 8.82 mm, respectively. The weights of the 3", the 4" and the final instar larvae were 0.72, 1.65 and 3.47 g, respectively. The pupal periods ranged from 10 to 11 days. The development periods from egg to adult were 30.5 to 37 days. The females were larger than the males. The average length and breadth of the male butterflies were 24.6 and 4.82 mm (on resting position), whereas the female butterfly was 26.4 and 5.14 mm (on resting position), respectively. The lengths of the antenna of the male and the female butterflies were 16.16 mm and 16.57 mm, respectively. The length and the breadth of the thorax of the male were 10.00 and 6.34 mm, respectively, whereas in the female it was 10.81 and 6.79 mm. The average length and breadth of the forewings of the male butterflies were 39.33 and 23.3 mm and the hind wings were 26.28 and 23.04 mm, whereas the forewings of the female butterflies were 41.74 and 27.25 mm in length and breadth and the hind wings were 27.26 and 23.4 mm in length and breadth, respectively. The longevity of the male adult was only 4.2 days and in the female it was 6.3 days.