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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Expanding the database: Documenting previously unrecorded host plants of monkey puzzle Rathinda amor and common lineblue Prosotas nora from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
Authors
Amey Parkar, Akash Mhadgut, Gaikwad Gitesh Baban
Abstract
The intricate
relationship between butterflies and its host plants is fundamental to understand
and conserve their biodiversity, particularly within urban ecosystems. This
study documents previously unrecorded host plants for two lycaenid butterfly
species within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai. A caterpillar of Rathinda
amor was discovered feeding on the young leaves of True Ashoka (Saraca
asoca) and was subsequently reared to adulthood to confirm the viability of
the host plant. Similarly, caterpillars of Prosotas nora were observed
on multiple occasions feeding on the flowers of Jewel Vine (Brachypterum
scandens). These findings officially establish S. asoca and B.
scandens as new host plants for R. amor and P. nora,
respectively, thereby expanding the known larval host plant database. This
research underscores the ecological significance of SGNP as a crucial habitat
and highlights the importance of effective conservation strategies for
butterflies and their associated plant communities in rapidly urbanizing
landscapes.
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Pages:602-607
How to cite this article:
Amey Parkar, Akash Mhadgut, Gaikwad Gitesh Baban "Expanding the database: Documenting previously unrecorded host plants of monkey puzzle <i>Rathinda amor</i> and common lineblue <i>Prosotas nora</i> from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 602-607
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