Comparative population studies of three Pieris butterflies, P. rapae, P. melete and P. napi, living in the same area

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Abstract

Summary Utilization of patchy habitats by adult populations of three Pieris butterflies, P. rapae, P. melete and P. napi was studied throughout the flight season in an area of their coexistence, about 3×1.5 km, in a farm village in the mountains in Inabu, Aichi Prefecture. Field study was by the mark‐recapture method. Results were analyzed by dispersal distances and recapture duration decay curves for adults of different age‐classes estimated on the basis of physical condition of their wings, together with supplementary information of daliy egg‐laying rate of females, obtained in field cages. Sexually immature, mated femals of P. rapae after teneral stage showed a migratory flight. On the other hand, reproductive females and all males of P. rapae were strongly resident within suitable habitats, and reproductive females begun to lay eggs abundantly at sunny places of newly suitable areas within a short period. P. melete seemed to disperse gradually from emerged stites and females of this species continued to lay some constant numbers of eggs for more than ten days over a wider area. P. napi appeared more like P. melete than P. rapae . The habitats of the three species can be characterized as follows: P. rapae , temporary, continued for pre‐reproductive females but localized for reproductive females and all males, and unstable; P. melete , permanent, widespread, and stable; P. napi , permanent, localized, and stable. The numbers of generations of P. rapae, P. melete and P. napi were estimated to be about six, three and three, respectively. Seasonal fluctuations in the number of adults were influenced by the stability of their habitats, i. e., the population size fluctuated sharply in P. rapae , but it was much more stable in P. melete and P. napi . In view of these results, it can be said that P. rapae fits the general characteristics of a r‐strategist whereas P. melete and P. napi are more K‐strategic than P. rapae .

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