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298 Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj. et al. / International Journal of Biological & Pharmaceutical Research. 2016; 7(6): 298-308. e- ISSN 0976 - 3651 Print ISSN 2229 - 7480 International Journal of Biological & Pharmaceutical Research Journal homepage: www.ijbpr.com IJBPR TO STUDY THE BUTTERFLY (LEPIDOPTERA: RHOPALOCERA) FAUNA OF SAL FOREST OF MANDUWALA REGION, DEHRADUN Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj*, Samim Rahman, Lungkhul Mossang Department of Zoology, Dolphin Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Dehradun-248007, Uttarakhand, India. ABSTRACT This work has been done in Sal Forest (Shorea robusta Gaertn) of Manduwala region Dehradun. The collected specimen was brought to laboratory, where they were spreaded on the spreading board and each specimen was pinned and oven dried at 60 0c for 24 hours. After all these processes specimens finally kept in the insect box. To protect insects from ants and fungus naphthalene balls are placed in it. The identification up to species level was done with the help of available entomological keys. All identified specimens were taken to Zoological Surey of India, Dehradun for verification. In the present study total of 17 species of 4 families (Danaidae Nymphilidae, Pieridae, and Papilionidae,) and their complete description is given.In which Danaidae family includes species (Euplea mulciber, Tirumala hamata,, Parantica aglea, Euploea core core, Danaus chrysippus, Danaus genuita), followed by Nymphalidae family ( Phalanta phalantha, Junonia almana, Junonia lemonias, Acraea violae, Cynthia cardui, and Cyrestis thyodama), Pieridae family (Colias fieldii, Catopsilia crocale, Eurema hecabe), Papilionidae family (Arhopala amantas and Chilasa clytia ) are observed. Therefore, the present study makes a modest attempt to explore the existing diversity of butterflies. It is essential that we document the butterfly fauna of certain regions so that steps may be taken to ensure the survival of these fascinating creatures for future generations. There is little that can be done to save our butterflies once their habitats are destroyed. Thus, it is important to manage our environment and avoid further damaging the already fragile balance of nature. Key Words: Sal Forest Fauna, Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera, Butterfly. INTRODUCTION Butterflies are regarded as one of the best and 150 species from the Eastern Ghats region.A taxonomically studied groups of insects. Butterflies are combination of features has conspired to render the scaled wing insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera of Lepidoptera one of the most studied groups of organisms. class Insecta. They provide the best rapid indicators of The order is species-rich and occurs in nearly all regions habitat quality and also are sensitive . India is described as and a wide variety of habitats. The dense covering of a ―butterfly paradise‖ by Venkataramani. Butterflies have scales on the wings not only gives the order its scientific been studied systematically since early 18th century, so far name, but also forms the basis for the attractive colour 19,238 species documented worldwide of which, species patterns present in many species. The resultant occur in India with 100 (15%) endemic and 26 (1.8%) conspicuousness of a variety of Lepidoptera explains globally threatened species . In Peninsular India, 334 much of the attention these insects have received. That butterfly species were reported from the Western Ghats attention, as we note below, has resulted in taxonomic work that while extensive exhibits much variation in Corresponding Author quality. The state of Lepidoptera taxonomy, therefore, is partly a function of the visibility of these insects (Krishna Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj SR et al., 2014). Sal (Shorea robusta) is a handsome tree Email: [email protected] that grows up to 35 m tall and has majestic, shining 299 Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj. et al. / International Journal of Biological & Pharmaceutical Research. 2016; 7(6): 298-308. foliage. Sal is a large sub decidous tree. It has large plants, general ecology, diagnostic characters and their leathery leaves and yellowish flowers. Sal tree are found distribution(Table 1). in Assam, Nepal, Bengal and on the bank of the Yamuna River. Sal trees are also found in the Bandhavgarh Euploea mulciber mulciber. Cramer National Park, Corbett National Park and Dudhwa national The Striped Blue Crow Park in India. Sal (Shorea robusta) is the main tree species Papilio mulciber Cramer, of Corbett and often grows as dense forest. Sal (Shorea Euploea mulciber mulciber . robusta) forest ecosystem has a wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, fungi, lichens, mosses and also a Status wide variety of insects. Naturally, the life of many Common mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians indirectly for food or shelter. Larval Host Plant Lepidopterans are represented by one of the most Nerium indicum, N.oleander, Ichnocarpus spp , Ficus spp., diverse group of insects. They are phytophagous as well as Ficus retusa and F. benjamina. pollinators at the same time (Sadia M et al., 2013). Although India has a rich butterfly fauna, but due to General Ecology various reasons such as habitat destruction, fire, use of This glossy brown butterfly is very common. It pesticides and weedicides and illegal collection for trade, flies about 1-6 meters above the ground. Female may fly many species have been become very rarer. lower over bushes and shrubs. It can be found almost all Therefore, the present study makes a modest type of forests and terrains. They are also attracted to cow attempt to explore the existing diversity of butterflies. It is dung, urine, salt sources, wet rocks and damp patches. essential that we document the butterfly fauna of certain regions so that steps may be taken to ensure the survival of Diagnostic characters these fascinating creatures for future generations. There is Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen dark brown; little that can be done to save our butterflies once their abdomen glossed with greenish blue above, head, thorax habitats are destroyed. Thus, it is important to manage our and abdomen beneath with white spots and transversely environment and avoid further damaging the already banded. Hind wing ovate. Hind wing uniform, unmarked fragile balance of nature. except for a large patch of light-brown, densely-set hair- like scales on the outer upper third of the wing. The MATERIAL AND METHOD female is a lighter brown, the fore wing only glossed with The specimens were collected then brought to the blue on the disc; spots white, and more or less similar to laboratory, where they were transferred to spreading those on the fore wing of the male, but larger and pure board. The specimens were oven dried for 24 hrs. at 60ᵒC. white. Underside similar to the upper side in each, but the The stretched and dried specimens were preserved in well markings broader, larger and more distinct; in the male fumigated (naphthalene balls) wooden boxes. All the there are besides a small white spots in apex of the cell, preserved specimens have labelled with the information two or three discal and incomplete sub-terminal and such as locality, date of collection and name of collector terminal series of white dots. Antennae, head, thorax and etc. The collected insect have been primarily identified abdomen dark velvety brown, the abdomen glossed with with the help of identification key (Bell & Scott, 1937). greenish blue above; beneath, the head and thorax spotted, Primarily identification verified from Zoological Survey abdomen transversely banded with white (Fig7). of India, Dehradun. Distribution RESULT AND DISCUSSION The sub species is fairly common from Kullu to The present study includes 17 species of Assam and Madras to West Bengal ascending to about Lepidopterans in Sal forest (Shorea rubusta) of 8,000 feet in Himalayas. In Uttarakhand it is found in Manduwala regeion .Butterflies species which are Dehradun, Haridwar, Almora, Bagehswar, Champawat, identified includes four families i.e. Danaidae, Nainital, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Udham Singh Nagar Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae. These species of districts. butterfly are collected during the month of January- June2016. However the survey cum collection on butterfly Tirumala hamata septentrionis Butler have been made by (Murugesan S and Muthsamy M, The Dark Blue Tiger 2011; Farzana P and Ayaz A, 2012; Javaid I, 1975; Singh Danais septentrionis Butler. A and Bhandari RS, 2003; Macaula D et al., 2008; Singh Tirumala hamata septentrionis A et al., 2014; Kumar PS, 2010; Behra S, 2012; Singh AK, 2010). The specimen are provided with their Status photographs, scientific names, common names, larval host Common 300 Dinesh Kumar Bhardwaj. et al. / International Journal of Biological & Pharmaceutical Research. 2016; 7(6): 298-308. Larval Host Plant as compared to other Tigers and comes out of forests only Plants of family: Asclepiadaceae. to visit flowers of Lantana, Ageratum etc. It is a known migrant and frequents damp patches occasionally. General Ecology It is very common butterfly throughout the hilly Diagnostic Characters and forest areas. It is found throughout the year but Antennae black; head and thorax black, spotted commonest at low elevations during wet weather. It is a with white; abdomen blackish-brown, ochraceous beneath. slow flier and visits moist places. It visits flowers and can be seen feeding of Cirsium species. Male and Female Upper side Diagnostic Characters Wings dark brown. Forewing with bluish white Upper side black, with bluish- white semi hyaline