Interaction between Papilio hectorides (Papilionidae) and four host plants (Piperaceae, Rutaceae) in a southern Brazilian population

Larval development of Papilio hectorides , including time to pupation, pupal mass and mortality, was measured on four different plant species (two in Piperaceae and two in Rutaceae).The results were compared with oviposition observations carried out during the springsummer period 1986 in one southern Brazilian population from a study site in Sapucaia, RS, Brazil.The rank order for plant suitability differed from the rank order of egg distribution in the field.The most heavily used plant in the field ( Zanthoxylum hiemale) resulted in the highest growth rates in the laboratory, but a infrequently used species {Piper amalago ) was equally suitable for larval growth.Piper xylosteoides produced a large proportion of males that had one extra molt; an extra molt also occurred at low frequency in Zanthoxylum hiemale and Z. rhoifolium.