New larval host plants for three butterfly (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) species from Rahr region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Centranthera tranquebarica (Spreng.) Merr. (Orobranchaceae) and Mallotus repandus (Rottler) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) are reported as new host plants of Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758) (Nymphalidae) and Rapala manea (Hewitson, 1863) (Lycaenidae) butterflies from Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. Schleichera oleosa (Sapindaceae), a deciduous tree, is reported as new host plant of Coladenia indrani (Moore, [1866]) (Hesperiidae) from Bankura district of West Bengal, India. Defensive mechanism of Junonia orithya larva by rolling itself into a tight spiral is also observed.