Life table parameters and biological characteristics of citrus butterfly Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) on various citrus hosts

Citrus swallow tail butterfly, Papilio demoleus L. is a pest of citrus in many parts of the world. We examined the effect of four different citrus hosts including Citrus sinensis (L.) (Tarocco and Valencia) Citrus limon (L.) (Eureka), and Citrus paradisi Macfad. (Shambarg) on its life table parameters and biological characteristics at 24 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). The developmental time of immature stages was longest onC. sinensis (Tarocco) (12.3 ± SE days).The intrinsic rate of natural increase was significantly affected by variouscitrus, being the highest on C. sinensis (Tarocco) (0.099 day-1) and lowest on C. sinensis (Valencia) (0.011 day-1).The highest and lowest finite rates of increase were observed onC. sinensis(Tarocco) 1.10 andC. sinensis(Valencia)1.01, respectively.The highest gross reproductive rate and the lowest mean generation time were observed on C. sinensis (Tarocco) and C. sinensis. (Valencia), respectively. The findings indicated that C. sinensis (Tarocco) appeared to be the most susceptible host to P. demoleus among the tested varieties. The results of this and similar studies in the future on other hosts may be considered as a basis for finding resistant host/hosts in monitoring this pest.