Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation
Lepidoptera are known to alter their behaviour and phenology in response to climatic conditions. Understanding these responses is important for the conservation of Lepidoptera species, especially those that are not widely distributed. Individuals of Dira clytus clytus, a South African endemic butter...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pensoft Publishers
2025-01-01
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| Series: | African Invertebrates |
| Online Access: | https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/138082/download/pdf/ |
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| author | Silvia Mecenero Stephen P. Kirkman |
| author_facet | Silvia Mecenero Stephen P. Kirkman |
| author_sort | Silvia Mecenero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lepidoptera are known to alter their behaviour and phenology in response to climatic conditions. Understanding these responses is important for the conservation of Lepidoptera species, especially those that are not widely distributed. Individuals of Dira clytus clytus, a South African endemic butterfly with a distribution in the southern parts of the country, were reared in captivity from the egg phase to the adult phase, to observe behaviour and phenology in the various life stages. Life history stages concurred with previous observations made on this subspecies, but additional photographs are presented for the various phases. There are clearly two pupal, and thus adult emergence, phases in spring and early summer. Four batches of eggs resulted from these adults, and the larvae from these eggs were also reared although none of them survived to the pupation phase. The timing of the two pupal phases was compared to climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) and it was found that pupation followed soon after cold temperature. This is indicative that D. c. clytus can change its phenology and voltinism in response to climatic conditions, which may allow for plasticity in responding to climate change. However, more research is required to understand how climate change would impact this endemic species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0da4f598e6064f368a5ac9114bf09e5d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2305-2562 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Pensoft Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Invertebrates |
| spelling | doaj-art-0da4f598e6064f368a5ac9114bf09e5d2025-01-29T08:30:50ZengPensoft PublishersAfrican Invertebrates2305-25622025-01-01661657210.3897/AfrInvertebr.66.138082138082Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptationSilvia Mecenero0Stephen P. Kirkman1Lepidopterists’ Society of AfricaNelson Mandela UniversityLepidoptera are known to alter their behaviour and phenology in response to climatic conditions. Understanding these responses is important for the conservation of Lepidoptera species, especially those that are not widely distributed. Individuals of Dira clytus clytus, a South African endemic butterfly with a distribution in the southern parts of the country, were reared in captivity from the egg phase to the adult phase, to observe behaviour and phenology in the various life stages. Life history stages concurred with previous observations made on this subspecies, but additional photographs are presented for the various phases. There are clearly two pupal, and thus adult emergence, phases in spring and early summer. Four batches of eggs resulted from these adults, and the larvae from these eggs were also reared although none of them survived to the pupation phase. The timing of the two pupal phases was compared to climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) and it was found that pupation followed soon after cold temperature. This is indicative that D. c. clytus can change its phenology and voltinism in response to climatic conditions, which may allow for plasticity in responding to climate change. However, more research is required to understand how climate change would impact this endemic species.https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/138082/download/pdf/ |
| spellingShingle | Silvia Mecenero Stephen P. Kirkman Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation African Invertebrates |
| title | Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| title_full | Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| title_fullStr | Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| title_short | Life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of Dira clytus clytus (Linnaeus, 1764) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| title_sort | life history and behavioural observations during the rearing of dira clytus clytus linnaeus 1764 insecta lepidoptera nymphalidae with notes on implications for climate change adaptation |
| url | https://africaninvertebrates.pensoft.net/article/138082/download/pdf/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT silviamecenero lifehistoryandbehaviouralobservationsduringtherearingofdiraclytusclytuslinnaeus1764insectalepidopteranymphalidaewithnotesonimplicationsforclimatechangeadaptation AT stephenpkirkman lifehistoryandbehaviouralobservationsduringtherearingofdiraclytusclytuslinnaeus1764insectalepidopteranymphalidaewithnotesonimplicationsforclimatechangeadaptation |