Zerynthia polyxenaLocally Monophagous onAristolochia pallidain the Susa Valley

Research reveals that the protected butterfly Zerynthia polyxena exhibits local monophagy on Aristolochia pallida in the Susa Valley, despite being oligophagous across Europe. While larvae of Z. polyxena thrive and develop similarly on A. clematitis and A. rotunda until the third larval stage, only those fed with A. pallida successfully reach the pupal stage. This finding underscores the importance of understanding local host plant preferences for designing effective conservation strategies for protected Lepidoptera species. The study employed controlled laboratory conditions to investigate oviposition choices and larval development, providing critical insights into the ecological specificity of this butterfly.

Piccini, I., Di Pietro, V., & Bonelli, S. (2021). Zerynthia polyxenaLocally Monophagous onAristolochia pallidain the Susa Valley. Environmental Entomology, 50(6), 1425–1431. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab082