ANALYSISDiscovery• DIVERSITY Life • Analysis • Diversity Discovery life, Volume 4, Number 11, May 2013

434 discovery 5 – EISSN 2278 42 54 – ife

ISSN 2278 l Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh

Prasanna Kumar V1, Harinath P2, Meerabai G3, Venkata Ramana SP4☼

1. Research scholar, Dept. of Zoology., Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa-516003, India 2. Research scholar, Dept. of Zoology., Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa.-516003, India 3. Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Botany., Rayalaseema University, Kurnool.-518004, India 4. Assistant professor, Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa.-516003, India

☼Corresponding author: Assistant professor, Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, India, E-Mail: [email protected], Phone No: 09346461293

Received 10 March; accepted 14 April; published online 01 May; printed 16 May 2013 ABSTRACT The Eastern Ghats are a series of low hills which run parallel to the east coast of India. This series of isolated hills run from Orissa southwards through Andhra Pradesh. For this study Talakona, Seshachalam and Lankamalai areas were chosen. These Bio-Sphere Reserves enjoys a wide variety of plant, and species. The current study sites were situated at the foot hills of Eastern Ghats has good butterfly fauna. Butterflies in this area belong to 5 families, with 150 species; of which 10 species are endemic, 8 rare and 17 very rare species were recorded. The present study surveyed 84 individual butterfly species belonging to 5 families namely Nymphalidae (29), Pieridae (21), (18), Hesperiidae (5) and Papilionidae (11), which revealed that Nymphalidae and Pieridae are the rich dominant families, while Hesperiidae and Papilionidae are less dominant. High incidences of butterfly population were observed during June to August and diminished through October to December. The butterfly population of species is gradually decreasing in number due to anthropogenic impacts.

Keywords: Eastern Ghats, Anthropogenic impacts, Bio-Sphere reserve, Biodiversity, Lankamalai, Butterfly

Abbreviations: Thalakona hills – Tkn, Seshachalam hills– Sch and Lankamalai hills- Lnk

1. INTRODUCTION Butterflies are an abundant and diverse group of and a conspicuous part of virtually all the world’s terrestrial ecosystem, important components of biodiversity, and are ecologically important due to the role they play in the food chain of a forest ecosystem (Arun Pratap Singh, 2011). Butterflies offer nearly inexhaustible well of stimulating material for those who are curious in carrying out applied and pure research (Matthews et al., 1997). The need for conservation of is increasing with each year and the butterflies are considered to be the important flagships for insect conservation (New et al., 1995, Smetacek, 1996 and Venkata Ramana 2010 & 2011). In the past few decades, butterfly populations in India have declined (Grewal,1996), and it is often suggested that captive rearing / breeding and releasing of butterflies in the wild will help restock at-risk populations and serve as a means of conservation (Nicholls & Pullin, 2000; Mathew, 2001; Crone et al., 2007; Schultz et al., 2008). Currently, conservation organizations across North America, including accredited zoos and aquariums, are engaged in the captive rearing and reintroduction of endangered butterflies, protection of

endangered butterfly habitat, and are conducting 10 Figure 1 research about their unique habitat needs The Lankamalai hills (http://www.butterflyrecovery.org/recovery/). They Page Prasanna Kumar et al. Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh, Discovery life, 2013, 4(11), 10-15, www.discovery.org.in www.discovery.org.in/dl.htm © 2013 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Discovery Life • Analysis • Diversity

occur throughout the Comparison world, except for the The current study Polar Regions. The enables us to know Neotropical Region the seasonality, was the most diverse, abundance and with around 7900 distribution of species species of butterflies, in the Eastern Ghats. followed by the The availability and oriental region with population index of about 4100 species. the species varied India is a part of from study site to Oriental region. The study site which is Eastern Ghats are a due to variation in the series of low hills availability of larval which run parallel to and nectar host the east coast of plants. The India. The series of Seshachalam and isolated hills runs from Thalakona regions Orissa south wards have recorded diverse through Andhra number of species Pradesh to central and also their Tamil Nadu richness when (Kehimkar, 2008). compared with the Vegetation in the Lankamalai region study area having which is due to deciduous forests with fragmentation of the patches of moist study side and also deciduous and the anthropogenic evergreen to semi activities. Figure 2 evergreen forests The Thalakona region (Prasanna kumar et al, 2011).

Plate 1 Pictures of Butterfly Fauna at the study sites recorded during August 2011 - September 2012; (a) Phalantha phalantha, (b) Junonia lemonias, (c) Neptis hyla, (d) Acraea violae, (e) Junonia almanac, (f) Byblia ilithyia, (g) Junonia hierta, (h) Danaus genutia, (i) Ariadne merione, (j) Euploea core, (k) Danaus 11 chrysippus Page Prasanna Kumar et al. Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh, Discovery life, 2013, 4(11), 10-15, www.discovery.org.in www.discovery.org.in/dl.htm © 2013 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Discovery Life • Analysis • Diversity

Plate 2 Pictures of Butterfly Fauna at the study sites recorded during August 2011 - September 2012; (a) Catopsillia Pyranthe, (b) Colias erate, (c) Lampides boeticus, (d) Hypolimnas misippus (female), (e) Junonia lemonias, (f) Graphium agamemnon, (g) Delias hyparete, (h) Hypolimnas misippus (male), (i) Curetis thetis, (j) Atrophaneura hector, (k) Belenois aurota, (l) Hypolimnus bolina 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1.1. Study Area Preliminary survey was conducted to identify areas with Biodiversity: The Lankamalai hills (Figure 1) (14°45' - 14°72' N & 79°07' - large population of butterflies. Three locations were selected Biodiversity is the degree 78°80' E); of the Eastern Ghats selected for the present which were visited thrice in a month from August 2011 to of variation of life forms study has normal rain fall of 700mm and varies from 400+ to September 2012. Data on butterfly fauna its abundance and within a given species, eco o seasonality was based on observation from 0700 to 1100 hr system, biome, or plant. 800 + mm. The maximum temperature varies from 33-43 C. The places are known for its good climate and consist of and 1400 to 1600 hr, photographic documentation was variety of butterfly host plants. The Thalakona region (Figure done. The butterflies were initially identified in the field 2) consist many waterfalls (13°48′42″N,79°12′56″E) with 270 condition and unidentified butterflies were collected using Captive breeding: nylon nets and were identified using the keys of Kehimkar Captive breeding is the feet (82 m)-fall, and it was the highest waterfall in Andhra process of breeding Pradesh. The waterfall was amidst beauty and greenery. (2008) and Wynter – Blyth (1957). The larvae of certain rare animals or species in Thalakona was declared as Bio-Sphere Reserve during and very rare butterflies were collected along with host plant human controlled 1989-90 because of wide variety of plant and animal species leaves in the petri plates and their life cycle was studied in environments with present in the region. Thalakona hills geographically are the captive breeding conditions in the laboratory and a few restricted settings, such as considered a part of Eastern Ghats. Seshachalam in the Butterfly Park. wildlife reserves, zoos and other conservation (13°40′59″N, 79°20′49″E) the hill town in the Chittoor district facilities. Captive breeding of Andhra Pradesh, India. Seshachalam (Figure 2) was 3. RESULTS programs facilitate 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level, and the town covers an Altogether 1500 species are available in India; nearly 150 biodiversity and may save area of approximately 10.33 square miles (26.8 km2). This species are recorded in the Eastern Ghats (Gunathilagaraj, species from extension. area has seven peaks, part of Eastern Ghats enriched with 1998). The present study surveyed 84 individual butterfly medicinal herbs and shrubs and enjoying wide range of species belonging to 5 families (Table 1). The Eastern Ghats butterflies and butterfly larval host plants and nectar host comprises variety of butterflies, of which the Talakona region plants. Butterflies in this area belong to 5 families, with 150 recorded the highest number and variety of Nymphalidae species; of which 10 species are endemic, 8 rare and 17 and in Seshachalam region the Papilionoidae (Plate 1). The very rare species were recorded. The present study family Nymphalidae also called Brush-foot butterflies, a surveyed 84 individual butterfly species belonging to 5 diverse family with a number of subfamilies with around families namely Nymphalidae (29), Pieridae (21), 6000 species occurring worldwide, in India, there are 521 Lycaenidae (18), Hesperiidae (5) and Papilionidae (11), species. In the present study 29 species were recorded. The which revealed that Nymphalidae and Pieridae are the rich Lycaenidae butterflies also called as blues was the largest dominant families, while Hesperiidae and Papilionidae are family with more than 6000 species all over the world, 12 less dominant. having some of the prettiest and smallest butterflies. In India

there are 443 species. This family includes the tiniest Page Prasanna Kumar et al. Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh, Discovery life, 2013, 4(11), 10-15, www.discovery.org.in www.discovery.org.in/dl.htm © 2013 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Discovery Life • Analysis • Diversity

Table 1 Butterfly Fauna at the study sites recorded during August 2011 - September 2012 Season by Relative Scientific Name Common Name Site of identification months Abundance Family: Nymphalidae Plain tiger 1-12 * * * * * Thk 1. Danaus chrysippus 2. Tirumala limniace Blue tiger 10-4 * * * * Thk 3. Cuphaery manthis Rustic 1-11 * * * * Tkn 4. Euploea core Common crow 1-12 * * * * Tkn 5. Elymnias hypermnestra Common palm fly 9-3 * Tkn 6. Erites falcipennis Common Cyclops 9-3 * Tkn 7. Melanitis leda Common evening brown 9-5 * * * * Tkn 8. Mycalesis visala Tamil brush brown 1-3 * Tkn 9. Ariadne merione Common castor 1-12 * * * * Tkn 10. Euthalia garuda The baron 5-8 * Tkn 11. Euthalianais The baronet 6-10 * * * * Tkn 12. Hypolimnas bolina Great egg fly 6-10 * * * * Tkn 13. Hypolomnas misippus Danaid egg fly 7-3 * * * * Tkn 14. Junonia almanac Peacock pansy 7-12 * * * * Tkn 15. Junonia hierta Yellow pansy 6-12 * * * Tkn 16. Junonia lemonias Lemon pansy 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 17. Junonia orithyia Blue pansy 7-12 * * * Tkn 18. Junonia iphita Chocolate pansy 6-12 * * * Tkn 19. Neptis hylas Common sailer 10-4 * * * Tkn 20. Phalanta phalantha Common leopard 1-12 * * * * Tkn 21. Byblia ilithyia The Joker 3-7 * * Tkn 22. Vanessa indica The Paller 4-5 * Tkn 23. Cynthia erota The Devil 9-11 * Sch 24. Atella alcippe The Camel 2-4 * Tkn 25. Acraea violae Tawny coster 1-12 * * * * * Lnk 26.Melantis phedima Dark evening brown 4-12 * * Tkn 27. Euploea sylvester Double-branded crow 3-5 * * * * Tkn 28. Euploe aklugii Brown king crow 4-10 * * * * Sch 29.Parantica aglea Glassy Tiger 1-12 * * * * Sch

Family: Lycaenidae 30.Apharitis vulcanus Common silverline 8-10 * Tkn 31. Castalius rosimon Common pierrot 1-12 * * * * Lnk 32. Castalius caleta Common Comb 4-9 ** Sch 33.Tarucus nara Rounded pierrot 2-5 * Lnk 34. Euchrysops cnejus Gram blue 1-12 * * * * Tkn 35. Everes lacturnus Indian cupid 6-10 * * * * Lnk 36. Jamides celeno Common cerulean 1-12 * * * * Tkn 37. airbus Indian red flash 5-7 * * Sch 38. Spindasis vulcanus The silverline 6-10 * * * * Tkn 39. Talicada nyseus Red pierrot 4-6 * * Sch 40. Lycaenesthes emolus The wind mill 3-5 * Tkn 41. Rapala iarbus Indian Red glass 4-7 * * Tkn 42. Curetis thetis Oak blue 7-9 * Lnk 43. deva Common cool 12-3 * Tkn 44. Rathinda amor Monkey puzzle 1-12 * * * * Sch 45.Chilades pandava Plains cupid * * * * Lnk 46.Chilades lajus Lime blue * * * * Sch 47.Zizeeria karsandra Dark grass blue 1-12 * * * * Lnk

Family: Papilionidae 48. Graphium agamemnon Tailed jay 1-12 * * * * Sch 49. G. doson Common jay 5-10 * Sch 50. Pathysa nomius Spot sword tail 6-7 * * Sch 51. Pachliopta aristolochiae Common rose 1-12 * * * * Sch 52. P. hector Cromson rose 1-12 * * * * Sch 53. Papilio polymnestor Blue mormon 10-3 * * Sch 54. P. polytes Common mormon 5-8 * Sch 55. P. memnon Common merun 3-5 * Sch 56. P. liomedon The black tail 1-3 * Sch 57. P. crino Common banded peacock 5-8 * Sch 58. Princeps demoleus Lime butterfly 3-11 * * * * Lnk name. The body is stout compared to their relatively small, angular wings. Altogether 3500 species of Skippers occur butterfly, Freyeria trochylus.18 species were identified in the Conservation: throughout the world and India has 321 species. In the The protection, present study. The family Papilionidae otherwise called as present study 5 species of skippers were identified. preservation, management, Swallowtails, these are the most spectacular group of or restoration of natural butterflies. This group has the largest butterfly, Southern environments and the Bird- wing, Troides minos. There are 550 known species 4. DISCUSSION Butterflies being cold blooded invertebrates are easily ecological communities worldwide and 107 are present in India. In present study we affected by changes in climate, and like most animals, their that inhabit them. have identified 11 species. The family Pieridae consist about Conservation is generally distribution too was greatly affected by this changes (Figure a thousand known species worldwide, out of which 109 held to include the 3 & 4). In India rainfall was one major climatic factor that species occur in India. In present study we have identified management of human use governs diversity and abundance of butterfly fauna around 21 species from three study sites. They are of natural resources for (Kehimkar, 2008). In all the study sites Nymphalidae current public benefit and commonly known as Whites and Yellows because their butterflies were present almost throughout the year and they sustainable social and wings are mainly white or yellow with black, red and yellow 13 are the dominant species in Thalakona region when economic utilization. markings. The family Hesperiidae consists of Skippers, the compared to the other two study sites which is due to thick rapid bounding flight of these butterflies has given them their vegetation and availability of larval host plants. Papilionidae Page Prasanna Kumar et al. Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh, Discovery life, 2013, 4(11), 10-15, www.discovery.org.in www.discovery.org.in/dl.htm © 2013 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Discovery Life • Analysis • Diversity

Table 1 Butterfly Fauna at the study sites recorded during August 2011 - September 2012 (Continues) Season by Relative Scientific Name Common Name Site of identification months Abundance Family: Pieridae 59. Belenoi saurota The pioneer 1-12 * * * * Lnk 60. Appias lalage Spot puffin 7-2 * * * Lnk 61. Appias albina Common albatross 12-4 * * * * Lnk 62. Catopsilia crocale Common emigrant 1-12 * * * * Tkn 63. Catopsilia Pomona Lemon emigrant 6-10 * * * * Tkn 64. Catopsilia pyranthe Molted emigrant 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 65. Colotis danae Crimson tip 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 66. Colotis eucharis Plain orange tip 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 67. Colotis fausta Large salmon arab 6-11 * * * * * Tkn 68. Colotis amata Small salmon arab 8-12 * * * * Tkn 69.Colotis etrida Small orange tip 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 70. Cepora nerissa Common gull 1-12 * * * * Tkn 71.Cepora nadina Lesser gull 1-12 * * * * * Tkn 72. Delias eucharis Common jezebel 9-12 * * * * Lnk 73. Eurema hecabe Common grass yellow 1-12 * * * * Tkn 74.Eurema brigitta Small grass yellow 1-12 * * * * Tkn 75.Eurema blanda Three spot grass yellow 1-12 * * * * Sch 76. Leptosia nina The psyche 9-4 * * * * Sch 77. Pareronia valeria Common wanderer 1-4 * * * * Sch 78.Pieris canidia Indian Cabbage white 1-12 * * * * Sch 79.Ixias pyrene Yellow orange tip 1-12 * * * * Lnk

Family: Hesperiidae 80. Borbocinnara Rice swift 1-12 * * * * Lnk 81. Pelopidas mathias Small branded swift 1-12 * * * * Lnk 82. Hasorachromus Common banded Awl 2-8 * * * * Lnk 83. Hasora nexis The Red dot 4-5 * * * * Sch 84. Suastusgremius Indian Palm Bob 4-8 * * * * Lnk *very rare **rare ***less common ****common *****very common family also recorded the highest number of very rare species that was 7 very rare and 2 rare species, Lycaenidae with 5 species are the dominant in the Seshachalam region very rare and 4 rare species and Papilionidae family with 5 compared to other two regions. Landscape structure has a very rare and 2 rare species. In butterflies, the range fundamental influence on the distribution of populations, margins of localized and declining species are influenced affecting their demography (Manel et al, 2003). July to strongly by habitat loss and fragmentation (Thomas, 1991; August the population abundance was high which was due Pullin, 1995; Thomas & Hanski, 1997). This data enable to to availability of both nectar and larval host plants and plan and to take necessary conservation measures to population gradually decreased through October to restock their population in the Eastern Ghats of Southern December. In this study we could investigate though we Andhra Pradesh. have recorded 29 species of Nymphalidae butterflies, this

Figure 4 Figure 3 Status of butterflies Distribution of different families of butterflies

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH 1.This work within the limits of available resources provides necessary information about the seasonality and availability of the species. 2.It helps in take up necessary conservation management aspects to protect the species from extinction.

FUTURE ISSUES Such kind of studies enables to know the causes for the decline in the population of species, enables to take plan and take up necessary conservative and management aspects in order to protect the species from extinction and also formation of butterfly farming groups.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The corresponding author Dr. S.P. Venkata Ramana Asst. Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Y.V.University, greatly acknowledge to CSIR, New Delhi for 14 financial support through a major research project. Page Prasanna Kumar et al. Patterns of butterfly diversity in three tropical habitats of the Eastern Ghats in Southern Andhra Pradesh, Discovery life, 2013, 4(11), 10-15, www.discovery.org.in www.discovery.org.in/dl.htm © 2013 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved Discovery Life • Analysis • Diversity

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