Fluctuations of lepidopteran population, secondary productivity and energy flow through Belenois mesentina Cr. (Pieridae)
1980
Vats, L.K. | Kaushal, B.R. (Kurukshetra Univ. (India). Dept. of Zoology)
Population and biomass of Lepidoptera in a tropical grassland dominated by Desmostachya bipinnata were estimated for a period of two years from June, 1976 to May, 1978. Twenty eight species were recorded. Population density varied from 0 to 6.74/sq m and the biomass ranged from 0 to 230.57 mg/sq m. The dominant species was Belenois mesentina. No lepidopteran was recorded in the grassland during late winter in either year. The secondary production was 69.89 mg/sq m/yr. The different larval stages of B. mesentina were fed on Capparis decidua to assess the food consumption, assimilation, egestion and tissue growth. The maximum values for each of these parameters were recorded in the last instar larva. The approximate digestibility, Ecological Growth Efficiency and Tissue Growth Efficiency declined with age. The pattern of caloric content of the biological material was: faeces food plant larval stages pupal stage.
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