| This paper is a research on the distribution, biology and ecology of Luehdorfia butterflies in Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi province. From wild investigation and raising experiments, the development of Luehdorfia taibai, including egg, larvae, pupa and butterfly were understood, which provided useful informations for protection of this rare butterfly. In addition, the new taxa of Luehdorfia choui Shou & Yuan and Luehdorfia chinensis shoui were discussed.1. L. chinensis is distributed both in the north slope (Zhouzhi county, Taibai county, Ningshan county, Huayin city) and the south slope (Foping nature reserve) of Qinling mountains. Luehdorfia taibai is distributed in Zhouzhi county, Huxian county, Xi'an city, Ningshan county, Huayin city and Yangxian county. The distribution range is from the west point Taibai to the east point Huayin, and from the north piont Huayin, to the south point Hanzhong. The altitude is from 1000m to 2200m.2. The egg threshold temperature for development is 5.74±2.62℃; the egg effective accumulative temperature is 117.62±6.95d℃. The 1-5 instar larva threshold temperature for development is 7.62±2.62℃, 8.33±2.84℃, 6.54±2.43℃, 9.14±3.16℃, 12.62±4.61℃, and the effective accumulative temperature of larva is 48.29±7.12 d·℃, 49.60±6.72 d·℃, 52.13±6.94 d·℃, 51.85±10.56 d·℃and 162.36±8.94 d·℃, respectively.The most suitable temperature for the development of larva stage is 25℃.3. L.chinensis could pupate by feeding with Asarum caulescens. Therefore, A.caulescens may be substituted food plant for L. chinensis.4. The behavior of oviposition was greatly affected by sunlight, temperature and food plants. A slope facing northwest, less than 33% canopy density, 23-45°slope, less than 5 plants each square meter was the most preferable habitat for the butterfly.5.The new species "Luehdorfia choui" and the new subspecies "Luehdorfia chinensis shoui" which named by Shou et al. were denied. Traditional viewpoint of four species in genus of Luehdorfia were emphasized. |
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