Authors : Minakshi Mahajan and Rajendra Patil
Page Nos : 41-47
Description :
The present study was carried out to make available association of butterflies with Adelocaryum coelestinum (Lindl.) C.B.Clarke) belonging to the family Boraginaceae. The flowers are borne in raceme inflorescence. The flowers are large showy with attractive blue colour in the centre. Flower attracts bees and butterflies to pollinate the plants. During present investigation, Family Nymphalidae of butterflies was represented by Glassy tiger (Parantica aglea), Common crow (Euploea core), Choclate pansy (Junonia iphita). Common emigrant (Catopsilia pomana) and ) Common Jezebel Delias eucharis from the family pieridae and Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor from the family papillinidae. We have observed the group of butterflies visiting racemes of the plants during 9.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and visiting 3-4 flowers in short time. All flower visiting butterflies are nectar feeders. The butterflies feed on nectar exhibited probing movement of the proboscis in peculiar pattern. Butterflies land on inflorescence and exhibit fast movement of proboscis. Bending movement of proboscis vary from species to species of butterflies. The butterflies approach to new flower, when the nectar content of the flowers gets reduced. In this way, butterflies can visit the flowers of raceme inflorescences of Adelocaryum coelestinum (Lindl.) C.B.Clarke) , after deriving nectar from one flower after another at very short distances. The flowers, leaves and roots of plants of this family contains pyrrolizidine, L-ornithine alkaloids. These alkaloids attract male butterflies. These alkaloids are poisonous secondary metabolites. Male butterflies synthesize pheromones with the help of this alkaloids to attract females during courtship display.
