Troidine Swallowtails (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) in Southeastern Brazil: Natural History and Foodplant Relationships

Five species of troidine swallowtails, Parides proneus, P. bunichus, P. agavus, P. anchises nephalion, and BattuspolydamaSf sympatric in central S?o Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, differentially utilize the available Aristolochia hostplants. All early stages differ morphologically, with the possible exception of eggs of P. bunichus and P. agavus. In two study sites, the adult populations fluctuated greatly and disharmoniously in approximate two-month cycles. Individuals moved an average of near 100 m and up to 1.3 km between successive recaptures, probably in search of flower resources. Adult lifespans in the field and laboratory averaged less than two weeks, with a majority of field-recaptured individuals passing through one of the six major wing wear classes per week. Laboratory cultures, maintained in a walk-in growth chamber, were used to investigate larval and adult behavior, pupal diapause, oviposition, and hostplant palatability in the five species of butterflies, with relation to the six potential hostplants sympatric in the field.