Question

A butterfly pest of pulses is

• A. Virachola isocrates
• B. Pelopidas mathias
• C. Lampides boeticus
• D. Ergolis merione

Hint:

The Pea Blue butterfly (Lampides boeticus) is easily recognized by its metallic blue wings and a short tail-like projection on the hindwings.
It is a classic lycaenid pest of legumes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
While most lepidopteran pests of field crops are moths, a few specific families of butterflies (such as Lycaenidae) contain highly destructive crop pests.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the given butterfly species and their respective host ranges:
Virachola isocrates is the pomegranate butterfly (family Lycaenidae).
It is a major pest of fruit crops, particularly pomegranate, guava, and citrus, where the larva bores into the fruit.
Pelopidas mathias is the rice skipper (family Hesperiidae), which feeds primarily on graminaceous crops like rice and sugarcane, folding the leaves.
Ergolis merione (now Ariadne merione) is the castor butterfly (family Nymphalidae), which feeds on castor foliage.
Lampides boeticus is the pea blue butterfly (family Lycaenidae).
It is a major, widely distributed pest of leguminous crops (pulses).
The female butterfly lays eggs on flower buds and young pods.
The young caterpillars bore inside the pods of crops like field pea, cowpea, and pigeon pea, feeding on the developing seeds.
The presence of entry holes and larval excreta on the pods reduces grain quality and yields.
Therefore, Lampides boeticus is the correct butterfly pest of pulses.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The butterfly pest of pulses is Lampides boeticus.