Descripción del ciclo de vida de Colobura dirce (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) en la comunidad campesina de San Rafael, Amazonía peruana

Abstract

The life cycle of Colobura dirce (Linnaeus, 1758) is described from 90 eggs collected inside a productive butterfly on the leaves of Cecropia spp., between July and August of 2018 in the peasant community of San Rafael. The main biological parameters of the life cycle were determined, such as: the total duration, the initial length and the survival rate of each state. In addition, a description was also made of the main morphological characteristics of each state and the main biological aspects (adults, feeding habits, host plants and natural enemies) and breeding of this species were determined. All this process was documented photographically. The results of this study show that C. dirce has a preference for secondary habitats and a frugivorous diet. The eggs are deposited linearly, in small groups, usually in the beam of the youngest leaves of Cecropia spp. The total duration of the life cycle was 36.7 ± 1.2 days (n = 39), with five larval stages and a total survival rate of 43.34% (n = 90). The highest mortality rate was presented by the larvae of the first stage 36.36% (n = 49), followed by the eggs 14.44% (n = 77). Besides, the immature stages (larval stages and pupa) of C. dirce are cryptic in appearance and behaviour. Three natural enemies were found: a parasitoid of the butterfly eggs, a predator of the larvae and another parasitoid of the pupa stage. Finally, note that this species has a sex ratio of 1: 1 and that adult females are significantly larger than males. The purpose of this study is to generate new information about the life cycle and the main biological aspects of C. dirce in the community of San Rafael, claiming the importance of observational base studies to achieve a better understanding of the diversity that surrounds us. At the same time, we also sought the consolidation of butterfly breeding in the "Morphosapi" butterfly garden, in order to generate a positive impact on the quality of life of the local people