Life cycle of citrus butterfly (Papilio demoleus Linnaeus) and importance of butterflies' conservation in around Barshi from Solapur district (M.S) India

Abstract The life cycle of the Citrus butterfly was studied under laboratory conditions on lemon leaf during the period of years 2023 to 2024. Egg masses are collected from lemon plants reared in laboratory conditions and observed regularly from the hatching to adulthood. Citrus butterfly larvae feed on lemons and curry leaves. The young female egg lays singly on tender twigs, the upper and lower surface of the leaf. The average developmental periods of citrus butterflies on lemon were 3-7 days (egg), 14-19 days (larva), 6-11 days (pupa) and 3-6 days (adult). The total life cycle was completed within 41 days under laboratory conditions. Butterflies are a diverse group of insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera. Butterflies play an important role in pollination. Butterflies’ conservation is most important because butterflies have a vital role play in the ecosystem, butterflies and plants depend on each other for life. If the butterfly population declines, then it will directly affect the agriculture field. Butterflies need food in liquid form. There are many reasons for butterfly conservation, including aesthetic value, ecosystem value, educational value, economic value, intrinsic value, and scientific value. This paper deals with documenting the study of the life cycle of the Citrus butterfly from the Shri Shivaji Mahavidyalaya campus in Barshi, tahsil. (M.S) India.