Seasonal Polymorphism of the Adult Rice-plant Skipper, Parnara guttata guttata(Lepidoptera : Hesperiidae) and Its Control

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Abstract
Larvae and pupae of P. guttata guttata were reared under various temperature and photoperiodic conditions. Adult morphology varied with temperature and photoperiodic conditions during the larval period. Longer photoperiod induced paler wing coloration and smaller size independently of each other. Temperature exerted a 3-fold effect: lower temperature inducing larger size, stronger melanization and more conspicuous silver spots on wings. Higher density combined with shorter day equalized adult size. Because of such complex control of morphological features, the polymorphism in this species seems to have different implications, from well-known seasonal forms in other Lepidoptera including its role in connection with migration.