Biology of Bhutanitis ludlowi Gabriel, 1942 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan

It was in 1933–34 that the first discovery of Bhutanitis ludlowi made by plant explorer Frank Ludlow and George Sheriff at Tobrang, upper part Trashiyangtse valley, Bhutan. rediscovered after a lapse 76 years 2009 Bhutanese forester Karma Wangdi. is native to occurs few pockets areas northeastern Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS). There has been no report which described complete life cycle till date. Listed CITES appendix II, endemic species also butterfly be included under Schedule I FNCRR Bhutan, making it totally protected For time stages recorded BWS on host Aristolochia griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson ex Duch situ environment. A greenhouse with dimensions 12 X 5 3 m constructed thriving habitat created artificially through establishment nursery inside greenhouse. The eggs were brought down new environment an elevation 1,752 from their natural (elevation 2,200 m). incubated plants ex-situ conditions. Eggs examined eight hour intervals daily (twice day: 0900 h 1700 h) record physical changes such as colours. univoltine brood where completes 365–367 days egg hatching (Average = 16 days; SD 2), larva (Avg. 174 3), pupa (174 days, 1.53)) adults emerged 366 days. Predators include spider, wasps, praying mantis, snails, ants. protects themselves avoiding predators mechanisms like odour, camouflaged colorations, excretion poisons. Advocacy programs its conservation importance formation community support groups protect habitats seen one priority activities identified range ludlowi.