<<

Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2017; 5(5): 73-81

E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2017; 5(5): 73-81 Studies on diversity in Adichanalloor © 2017 JEZS Village, District, Received: 11-07-2017 Accepted: 12-08-2017

Lekshmi Priya Lekshmi Priya, Varunprasath Krishnaraj, Janaranjini, Sutharsan and Department of Zoology, PSG Lakeshmanaswamy College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, , Abstract Varunprasath Krishnaraj The present investigation was carried out to study butterfly diversity in Adichanalloor Village, Kollam Department of Zoology, PSG district in Kerala, for the period of November 2016 to March 2017. Results showed that 79 of College of Arts and Science, representing 5 major families were recorded. showed the maximum Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India number of species followed by Lycanidae 13 species, Papilionidae 10 species, 9 species and Hesperiidae 7 species. Among these families abundance of butterfly species in maximum in area Janaranjini (GI) with 21 species, followed by agrifield (GIII) (17 species), pond region (GV) (16 species), grassland Department of Zoology, PSG College of Arts and Science, (GII) (13 species) and shrubs and herbs (GIV) (12 species).Based on IUCN list, 49 species were Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India common(C), 27 species, uncommon (UC) and 3 species under rare category. According to monthly wise distribution of butterflies, maximum numbers of butterflies were recorded in November (32 species) Sutharsan followed by a December (21 species), January (12 species) and least in the month of March (8 species). Department of Zoology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Keywords: distribution, butterflies, Adichanalloor village, , abundance. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 1. Introduction Lakeshmanaswamy [1] Associate Professor, PG and comprises more than half of earth diversity of species .The butterfly fauna of the Research Department of southern part of the Indian peninsula is very rich and diverse compared to other parts of the Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and peninsula due to the availability of diverse , a wide range of altitudinal gradients and Science College, Coimbatore, associated microclimatic regimes [2]. India, with its diversified ecosystems ranging from the Tamil Nadu, India. snow-clad temperate forests in the to the tropical wet evergreen forests of the

Western Ghats, has a rich butterfly fauna. So far, about1500 species of butterflies have been recorded from India, of which about 314 species are found in Kerala, which include a high proportion of rare and endemic species. All of these butterflies are found in the Western Ghats region as well [3]. Many of butterfly species are strictly seasonal and prefer only a particular set of habitats [4] and they are good indicators in terms of anthropogenic disturbance and [5] quality . The earliest scientific records of the butterflies of Western Ghats date back to the th 18 century records by Linnaeus, Fabricus and Cramer. Since then, there have been many studies on butterflies from different parts of the southern India [6-8]. In Peninsular India, 334 butterfly species were reported from the Western Ghats [9] and 150 species from the Eastern Ghats region [10]. In the 18th century, Indian butterfly species were collected and documented [11-19] from several parts of India, Burma, Ceylon and Bhutan. The recent studies on diversity of Indian butterflies were from Kambalakonda Eco-Tourism Park, Visakhapatnam, and Andhra Pradesh [20]. Seshachalam biosphere reserve, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh [21] Khajjiar lake catchment, Himachal Pradesh [22], Gauhati University Campus, Jalukbari, and Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, West [23].George reported that there are [24] approximately 20,000 species of butterflies distributed throughout the world . The main causes for the decline of butterfly populations are deforestation, habitat destruction for urbanization, industrialization and agriculture causes changes in temperature, humidity and rainfall. Prevalence of unfavorable weather conditions often affect habitat suitability leading to local extinction of butterflies. Unfortunately developmental activities and resulting habitat

fragmentation create threats to the survival of butterflies worldwide. The present study mainly Correspondence concentrates on butterfly abundance, habitat preference like agricultural lands, , Varunprasath Krishnaraj grasslands, pond region and shrubs and herbs in Adichanalloor village, Kollam district of Department of Zoology, PSG Kerala State. College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India ~ 73 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

2. Materials and Methods weaver diversity index, H’ [28] was used to compare diversity 2.1 Study Area between locations, Kollam district (formerly Quilon) is one of 14 districts of the ’ state of Kerala, India. The district has a cross-section of H = - 2pi) Kerala's natural attributes; it is endowed with a long coastline, Where, Pi = Proportion of total sample belonging ith sp. a major Arabian Sea seaport and an inland lake (Ashtamudi Log2= 3.322 log10, Lake) and many sources of water bodies. Plains, mountains, S = Number of species. lakes, lagoons and backwaters, forests, farmland and rivers make up the topography of the district and temperature is 2.3 Data analysis almost steady throughout the year. Adichanalloor Village the Butterfly species, individual diversity and abundance were average temperature ranges from 24 to 32 0C. Summer usually calculated by using descriptive statistics. The statistical runs from March until May; the monsoon begins in June and analyses were performed by using the SPSS version 17 (SPSS ends in September. Adichanalloor Village receives an annual Inc., Chicago, Il, USA). average rainfall of around 2,700 millimeters (110 in) and receives both southwest and northeast monsoons. Winter 3. Results season is normally from November to February. The The family-wise composition of butterfly species at Kollam temperature is moderately cool, ranging from 180C to 250C district was recorded. A total of 79 butterflies species during that time. According to Government of Kerala belonging to 5 different families and 5 different habitats were estimates 81,438 hectares (314.43 sq mi) of land in Kollam observed during the study period. Family Nymphalidae district are under forest cover, mainly in the eastern portion of showed the maximum species, comprising of n=40 species the district (including the , and a portion of consist of (50%) including Parantica algae, atlites, the Achencoil forest divisions). The Thenmala Range, chrysippus, helenus, perseus, Range and Shendurney Sanctuary comprise the Thirumala liminiace, Limenitis procris, Melanitis leda, Thenmala division and the Achencoil, Kallar and Kanayar core, violae, Junonia iphita, Junonia Ranges make up the Achencoil division. The lemonias, Ariadne merione, bolina, Hypolimnas and Ranges constitute the Punalur division. The bolina, Junonia almanac, jumbah Moore, Danaus Shenduruny wildlife sanctuary, 66 kilometers (41 miles) from genutia, Orsotrioena medus, thyodamas, Kollam, is situated on the southern part of the Western Ghats erymanthis, Cynitia lepidea, Thirumala septentrionis, in the Pathanapuram taluk of the district. As per the report malabarica, Parthenos Sylvia, nefte, Pantoporia under the Peoples Campaign for the Ninth plan entitled forest hordonia, phalantha, , and biodiversity, only nine species of have been indrani, Mycalesis anaxias, Mycalesis subdita, Vanessa reported specifically from this district. With regard to atalanta, Rapala manea, Parantica nilgiriensis, Mycalesis diversity of butterflies, no detailed survey has been made. The patina, Mimathyma ambica, Ypthima chenu, Lethe busanda, study site has a garden as well as wild . The major erota followed by Lycanidae n=13 species (16.3%) garden plants are Hibiscus, Ixora, Vinca rosa, Taberenae Jamides celeno, nyseus, Chilades pandava, Zizeeria Montana, Duranta plumeris, Pentas, Mussanda, Catharanthus karsanadra, Castalius rosimon, Catochrysops Strabo, roses and Moraya koiengii (curry leaf plants), plants of freja, Spindasis vulcanus, Spindasis lohita, Jomides family etc. Trees include palms both coconut and areca nut alecto, Tajuria cippus, Zizula hylax, Spalgis epius, and Mango trees. Papilionidae n=10 species (12.5%) , agamemnon, , Papilo polymnestor, Papilio 2.2 Methodology memnon, Papilio demoleus, Graphium antiphates, Papilo The present study carried out from November 2016 to March paris,Papilio elephenor, Graphium doson eleius, Pieridae n=9 2017 (morning 6.00 am till 7.00 p.m) Adichanalloor Village, species (11.3%) Delias eucharis, Appias libythea, Eurema Kollam district. The survey of butterflies was undertaken blanda, nina, pyrene, Catopsilia Pomona, along five different transects. The butterflies were recorded , Appias albino, Aporia agathone, and using standard transect counting method [25], counted while Hesperidae n=7 species (8.8%) Ampitta dioscorides, walking along the selected transect route of 1 km, in each Potanthus confucius, gana, Udaspes folus, habitat. The nomenclature used in the check list of Butterflies Cirrochorathais, Lambrix salsala, were in IUCN (2015) was followed. All the transects surveyed were observed during the study period. segments of existing Garden, Agriculture area, Shrubs and The present study recorded maximum butterfly species in herbs, Grassland and Pond areas. Typical and unique features garden areas (n=21,Average Mean 4.20 ± 4.764, 26.58%) of the wings, abdomen and pattern of coloration of all body followed by agrifield with (n=17, Average Mean 3.40 ± parts were noted down. Sketches were made accordingly 3.362, 21.51%), Pond ( n=16, Average Mean 3.20 ± 3.899, using pencils and marked the pattern of color patches and 20.25%), Grassland(n=13, Average Mean 2.60 ± 2.510, print distribution. Butterflies were photographed from 16.45%), and shrubs and herbs constitute n=12 (Average different angles as often as possible to obtain sufficient Mean: 2.40 ±1.673, 15.18%). photographs to enable positive identification of species. 79 species of butterflies were categorized based on IUCN Photographs were taken with a digital camera (Sony W520). status namely Uncommon, Common, and Rare. Among these Descriptions, photographs and drawings were compared with species, n=3 were rare (AM: 0.60 ± 0.894, 3.79%) Papilio literature and the species were identified based on the elephenor, Chilades pandava, Cheritra freja, n=27 species collected data and available reference, both printed and were uncommon (AM: 5.40 ± 4.567, 34.17%) Idea electronic. Species identity was confirmed with the help of the malabarica, Parthenos Sylvia, Athyma nefte, Phalanta field guides by [26, 27] and nomenclature have been phalantha, Mycalesis anaxias, Coladenia indrani, Vanessa updated. Vegetations of each site and sub site were keenly atalanta, Rapala manea, Parantica nilgiriensis, Mycalesis observed and relevant data were recorded. The Shannon patina, Ypthima chenu, Lethe busanda, Vindula erota, Aporia

~ 74 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

agathone, Papilo polymnestor, Papilio memnon, Papilio butterfly distribution are expected to reflect the distribution of demoleus, Graphium antiphates, Papilo paris, Talicada their host plants even at scales and type of vegetation may nyseus, Tajuria cippus, Spalgis epius, Potanthus confucius, reflect difference in the composition of butterfly species Tagiades gana, Udaspes folus, Cirrochorathais, Tagiades among habitats at the generic and family level [31]. The present litigiosa, and n=49 species were common (AM: 9.80 ± 9.960, study recorded maximum butterfly species in garden habitat 62.02%) they are, Parantica algae, Junonia atlites,,Danaus followed by agrifield. Agricultural sites had significantly chrysippus, Papilio helenus,,Mycalesis perseus, Thirumala more butterflies than non-agricultural sites [32]. Habitat liminiace, Limenitis procris, Melanitis leda, Euploea core, selection in butterflies is directly related to the availability of Acraea violae, Junonia iphita, Junonia lemonias, Ariadne preferred food plants for larvae and adults [33-34]. Field studies merione, , Junonia almana, Neptis jumbah indicate that Green-veined white (Pieris melete), Bath white Moore, , Orsotrioena medus, Cyrestis (Pontia daplidice), Indian oakblue (Arhopala atrax), Yellow thyodamas, Cupha erymanthis, Cynitia lepidea, Thirumala coster (Acraea issoria), Common jester (Symbrenthia lilaea) septentrionis, Pantoporia hordonia, Neptis hylas, Mycalesis are very common in Kollam district, but during the study subdita, Mimathyma ambica, Delias eucharis, Appias period we could not be traced above species. Since the survey libythea, Eurema blanda, Leptosia nina, Ixias pyrene, was of short duration, it could not be ascertained whether Catopsilia Pomona, Eurema hecabe, Appias albino, Papilio these species are actually absent in Kollam district. This polytes, , Papilio clytia, Papilio region holds many endemic species of butterflies. Of the 3 elephenor, Graphium doson eleius, Jamides celeno, Zizeeria species of butterflies are threatened globally as per the IUCN karsanadra, Castalius rosimon, Catochrysops Strabo, Red List [20, 15]. Spindasis vulcanus, Spindasis lohita, Jomides alecto, Zizula Although, study areas supports a good number of butterfly hylax, Ampitta dioscorides, Lambrix salsala were recorded species but much has still to be explored. The study revealed during the present study. that in the garden habitat the individual among species were The monthly variations in species diversity were recorded. evenly distributed during the survey period, indicating that The present study observed maximum numbers of butterfly some species were more abundant than the others. The species in the month of November with 32 species (40.5%) abundance of individual of a species at any given point on a followed by December (21 species, 26.58%), January (12 temporal scale was again dependent on abiotic and biotic species, 15.1%), March (8 species, 10.12%) and least number environmental factors. Although more than 300 butterflies are of butterflies were collected during the month of February (6 reported to be present in the Southern Western Ghats, many species, 7.59%) were recorded during the present study. recent studies from other areas in Kerala such as The present study also documented the host species. The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary [35] and Silent valley flora in the study sites was mixed type with herbs and shrubs National Park [36] report much less diversity with maximum dominating the vegetation in the tropical climate. The study species richness in the evergreen habitats. area was dominated by plant species belonging to the families The present short-term study could only partially reflect the , , , , richness of the butterfly fauna of the study area, the much , etc., namely sp, sp, poor species–richness clearly indicates the deteriorating Tridax sp, Polyalthia longifolia, Cassia fistula, habitat conditions of the area has impoverish the butterfly Tabernaemontana sp, Alstonia scholaris, Ixora sp, fauna. Poyry indicated that the local habitat quality is of camara, Cleome viscose, Aegle sp, Citrus sp, Terminalia foremost importance in explaining variation in species arjuna, Murraya sp, Pisidium guajava, Areca catechu, Cocos richness and total density of butterflies [37]. They are abundant nucifera, , Hibiscus sp, Zizyphus jujuba, for only a few months and rare or absent during other months Justicia sp, Sida sp, sp, Mussaenda frondosa, Cosmos of the year [38]. Wynter- Blyth had identified two seasons as sp, Zinnia sp, Bougainvillea sp and grasses which provide peaks, March-April and November -December for butterfly diverse habitat, food and breeding sites for butterflies. abundance in India [39]. The abundances of diverse species were positively affected by approaching summer, high 4. Discussion relative humidity and more rainfall. Butterfly diversity Nandakumar reported that overall 94 species of butterflies indirectly reflects an overall diversity of plants, especially belonging to 66 genera in five families. Among this herbs and shrubs in a given area [40]. During the present study, Nymphalidae was the most specious family represented by the numbers of the butterflies were peaked during late genus and 41 species followed by Hesperidae (17 genus and November to January which was similar to the findings of [41- 17 species), Papilionidae 4 genus and 14 species were 42]. The species abundance was less during February. recorded. High percentage of Nymphalidae may be due to the Abundance of butterfly species is due to favorable tropical presence of flowers belonging to families , climate conditions, availability of host plants, food and Compositae, Rubiaceae and Verbinaceae [29]. Arun and Azeez vegetation [43]. The fauna at study sites contained distinct also recorded that Nymphalidae is the most abundant and elements so as to suit with the typical altitudinal and species rich family in Puyankutty forest, a total of 257 vegetation characteristics of the area. The present study butterflies belonging to 17 species were observed during the reveals that the study areas provide favorable ecological survey [30]. We observed 79 species of butterflies were comes conditions and habitat for butterflies. It might be due to the under 5 different families. Family Nymphalidae showed the presence of sufficient host plants and favorable climatic maximum species, comprising of 40 species followed by conditions for the development and growth of butterflies. The Lycanidae 13 species, Papilionidae 10 species, Pieridae 9 least number of butterflies were collected during the month of species and Hesperidae 7 species were observed during the February when the adequacy of host plants and unfavorable study period at Adichanallor Village, Kollam district. The climatic conditions were observed. The host plants and the findings of the present study underline the diversity of related butterfly species often are known to share some Nymphalidae was the maximum number of species followed biochemical features. The seasonal parameters direct the by Lycanidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae and Hesperidae. The vegetation profile of any particular habitat, ultimately the

~ 75 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

major determining factors of abundance, richness and [44] dominance or evenness of any particular butterfly community

Fig 1: Study area of Adichanalloor Village, Kollam district, Kerala.

1. Malabar three nymph 2. Common leopard 3. Clipper

4. Color sergeant 5. Tricolor pied flat 6. White bar bush brown

7. Red admiral 8. Slate flash 9. Nilgiri tiger

~ 76 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

10. Glad eye bush brown 11. Cruiser 12. Dark forester

13. Great black vein 14. Common Mormon 15. Water snow flat.

16. Blue Mormon 17. Great Mormon 18. Lime butterfly

19. Five bar swordtail 20. Paris peacock 21. Red Pierrot

22. Plains cupid 23. Peacock royal 24. Chinese dart.

~ 77 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

25. Suffused snow flat 26. Tamil yeoman 27. Grass demon

28. Yellow crested spangle.

Fig 2: Showing the Butterfly diversity in Adichanaloor Villge,KollamDistrict (Continued)

Table 1: Showing the Butterfly diversity in Adichanalloor Village, Kollam District.

No: of Common Name Scientific Name Habitat & Host plants individuals Family: Nymphalidae GI, carnosa, Cryptolepis bunchanani, Ceropegia bulbosa, Ceropegia Glassy tiger * Parantica algae 21 lawii, Calotropis sp. Grey pansy * Junonia atlites GI, oppositifolia, sp. 7 Plain tiger * Danaus chrysippus GI, Calotropis gigantean 18 GI, Zanthoxylum ovalifolium, Toddalia asiatica, Citrus sp, Zanthoxylum Red Helen * Papilio helenus 7 ailanthoides Common bush Mycalesis perseus G III, Oryza sp. 6 brown * Blue tiger * Thirumala liminiace G1, Wattakaka volubillis 13 Commander * Limenitis procris GIV, Mussaenda laxa, Cadaba fruticosa, Wendlandia exserta, 3 Common evening Melanitis leda G III, Oriza sativa, Zea spp 7 brown * Common crow * Euploea core GI, , , ficus tomentosa, 13 Tawny coster * Acraea violae GI, Passiflora edulis, Thirumefetta spp. 7 Chocolate pancy* Junonia iphita G III, , Smilax sp. 8 GII, ceiba, Vigna sp, Grewia sp, sp, Nothapodytes Lemon pancy * Junonia lemonias nimmoniana, isora, Mucuna purpurea, Xylia sp., Canavalia 3 ensiformis Common caster * Ariadne merione GII, Tragia involucarta, Tragia plukenetii, Ricinus communis 2 Common egg fly* Hypolimnas bolina GII, , Portulacca oleracea, Elatostemma cuneatum 5 GII, Sida rhombifolia, Portulacca oleracea, Elastostemma cuneatum, Fleurya Great eggfly * Hypolimnas bolina 3 interrputa Peacock pansy * Junonia almana G III, Hygrophilia auriculata, Barleria sp, Gloxinia sp, Osbeckia 4 Chestnut-streaked Neptis jumbah GV, Cinnamomum sp. 3 sailer* Moore Striped tiger * Danaus genutia GI, curassavica, Ceropegia sp. 4 Nigger * Orsotrioena medus GV, family 2 Common map * GV, Bambusa arundinacea, Grasses 2 Rustic * Cuphaerymanthis GII, indica 9 GIV, Cassia fistula, Cassia tora, Caesalpinia pulcherima, Acacia sp,. Albizzia Grey count * Cynitia lepidea 1 sp Thirumala Dark blue tiger * GIV, Vallaris dichotoma, Dregea volubilis 7 septentrionis Malabar three Idea malabarica GI, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Citrus limon, Murraya koenigii 2 nymph ** Clipper ** Parthenos sylvia G III, Vallaris dichotoma, Dregea volubilis 2 Color sergeant ** Athyma nefte GV, Oryza sp. 2 Common lascar * Pantoporia G III, Oriza sativa, Zea spp 2

~ 78 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

hordonia Common Phalanta phalantha GV, Tragia involucarta, Tragia plukenetii, Ricinus communis 4 leopard** GIV, , Vigna sp, Grewia sp, Corchorus sp, Nothapodytes Common sailer * Neptis hylas nimmoniana, , Mucuna purpurea, Xylia sp., Canavalia 2 ensiformis Tricolor pied Coladenia indrani G III, Bambusa arundinacea, Grasses 2 flat** White bar Mycalesis anaxias GIV, 5 bushbrown ** Tamil bushbrown* Mycalesis subdita GV, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Smilax sp., Tridax procumbence 9 Red admiral ** Vanessa atalanta GV, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Citrus limon, Murraya koenigii 3 Slate flash ** Rapala manea GI, Cinnamomum verum, Poliyalthia longifolia 4 Parantica GV, Sida rhombifolia, Portulacca oleracea, Elastostemma cuneatum, Fleurya Nilgiri tiger ** 2 nilgiriensis interrputa Glad eye Mycalesis patina GV, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Smilax sp. 3 bushbrown ** Indian purple Mimathyma ambica GI, Anona squamosa, Miliusa sp, Polyalthia longifolia, Cinnamomum sp. 2 emperor * Nilgiri four-ring** Ypthima chenu G III, Poaceae family 2 Dark forester ** Lethe busanda GI, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Smilax sp. 2 Cruiser ** Vindula erota GV, Arbus precatorius, Pongamia pinnata, Butea monosperma 3 Family: Pieridae Common jezebel* Delias eucharis GII, Dendrophthae falcate 4 Striped albatross* Appias libythea GII, Mussaenda laxa, Cadaba fruticosa, Wendlandia exserta, 2 Three spot green Eurema blanda GIV, Caesalpinia spicata, Delonix regia, Pittecellobium dulce 2 yellow * * Leptosia nina GV, spinosa, Capparis rheedii, 1 Yellow orange tip* Ixias pyrene GII, Capparis sepiaria 4 Common emigrant Catopsilia Pomona GI, Cassia sp, Butea monosperma, Bauhania racemosa 5 * Common grass Eurema hecabe GII, Cassia fistula, Cassia tora, Caesalpinia pulcherima, Acacia sp,. Albizzia sp 13 yellow * Common albatross Appias albina G III, Tragia involucarta, Tragia plukenetii, Ricinus communis 17 * Great blackvein** Aporia agathone GII, Olea diocia, Lonicera sp. 2 Family: Papilionidae Common Papilio polytes G III, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Citrus limon, Murraya koenigii 9 mormon* Graphium Tailed jay * GIV, Anona squamosa, Miliusa sp, Polyalthia longifolia, Cinnamomum sp. 1 agamemnon Common mime * Papilio clytia GI, Cinnamomum sp. 4 Blue mormone ** Papilo polymnestor GI, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Citrus limon, Murraya koenigii 2 Great mormon ** Papilio memnon GI, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Citrus limon, Murraya koenigii 3 Lime butterfly ** Papilio demoleus GI, Cinnamomum sp. 4 Five bar Graphium GV, Anona squamosa, Miliusa sp, Polyalthia longifolia, Cinnamomum sp. 5 swordtail** antiphates GV, Sida rhombifolia, Portulacca oleracea, Elastostemma cuneatum, Fleurya Paris peacock ** Papilo paris 2 interrputa Yellow crested- Papilio elephenor GI, blossfieldiana, Kalanchoepinnata, Bryophillum sp. 3 spangle *** Common blue Graphium doson GV, Cinnamomum verum, Poliyalthia longifolia 4 bottle * eleius Family: Lycanidae Common Jamides celeno G III, Arbus precatorius, Pongamia pinnata, Butea monosperma 9 cerulean* Red pierrot ** Talicada nyseus GII, Kalanchoe blossfieldiana, Kalanchoepinnata, Bryophillum sp. 7 Plains cupid *** Chilades pandava G III, Cycas sp. 6 Dark grass blue * Zizeeria karsanadra GV, Caesalpinia spicata, Delonix regia, Pittecellobium dulce 5 Common pierrot * Castalius rosimon GII, Zizyphus rugosa 3 Catochrysops Forget me not * GIV, Calotropis gigantean 7 Strabo Common imperial Cheritra freja GI, Mussaenda laxa, Cadaba fruticosa, Wendlandia exserta, 2 *** G III, Bombax ceiba, Vigna sp, Grewia sp, Corchorus sp, Nothapodytes Common silverline Spindasis vulcanus nimmoniana, Helicteres isora, Mucuna purpurea, Xylia sp., Canavalia 3 * ensiformis Long banded Spindasis lohita G III, Sida rhombifolia, Portulacca oleracea, Elatostemma cuneatum 2 silverline * Metalic cerulean * Jomides alecto GII, Kalanchoe blossfieldiana, Kalanchoepinnata, Bryophillum sp. 3

~ 79 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Peacock royal ** Tajuria cippus GIV, Caesalpinia spicata, Delonix regia, Pittecellobium dulce 2 G III, Zanthoxylum ovalifolium, Toddalia asiatica, Citrus sp, Zanthoxylum Tiny grass blue * Zizula hylax 4 ailanthoides Ape fly ** Spalgis epius GIV, Mussaenda laxa, Cadaba fruticosa, Wendlandia exserta, 2 Family: Hesperiidae Common bush Ampitta dioscorides GI, Anona squamosa, Miliusa sp, Polyalthia longifolia, Cinnamomum sp. 2 hopper * 6 Chinese dart ** Potanthus confucius GI, Citrus aurantia, Citrus medica, Murraya koenigii

Suffused Tagiades gana GIV, Kalanchoe blossfieldiana, Kalanchoepinnata, Bryophillum sp. 3 snowflat** Grass demon** Udaspes folus GV, Mussaenda laxa, Cadaba fruticosa, Wendlandia exserta, 2 Tamil yeoman ** Cirrochorathais GIV, Carissa carandas, Ficus religiosa, ficus tomentosa, Ficus racemosa 7 Chestnut bob * Lambrix salsala G III, Bambusa arundinacea, Grasses 3 Water snow flat** Tagiades litigiosa GI, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Smilax sp. 5 *Common, **Uncommon, ***Rare GI- Garden, GII-Grassland, GIII-Agrifield, GIV –Shrubs and herbs, GV-Pond area.

5. Conclusion 8. Gaonkar H. Butterflies of Western Ghats, including Sri The present study demonstrated that 79 species of butterflies Lanka. A biodiversity assessment of a threatened from 5 families was recorded. Family Nymphalidae showed mountain system, Nature 1996; 32:109-110. maximum species richness comprising of 40 species, followed 9. Tiple AD, Khurad AM. Butterfly Species Diversity, by Lycanidae, Papilonidae, Pieridae and least in Hesperidae. Habitats and Seasonal Distribution in and Around Nagpur Maximum butterfly species observed in the month of City, Central India, World Journal of Zoology, 2009; November and least in February. From this survey, it showed 4(3):153-162. that the number of species of butterflies observed in Garden 10. Gunathilagaraj K, Perumal TNA, Jayaram K, Ganesh habitat was consistently greater than Agrifield, pond, Kumar M. Some South Indian Butterflies. Published grassland and trees and shrubs. Although study areas supports under Project Lifescape, Indian Academy of Sciences, a good number of butterfly species. But much has still left to Bangalore, 1998, 270. be explored. This is the first effort in exploring the butterfly 11. Bell ΤR. The Common Butterflies of the Plains of India; wealth in Adichanalloor village. The present list of butterfly J· Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 1909-1927, 19:31. species is not conclusive and exhaustive and future 12. Evans WH. Identification of Indian butterflies, Bombay exploration will be continued to update this checklist. In Natural History Society, Bombay. 1932, 454. addition, further research will be needed for documentation of 13. Yates JA. The butterflies of the Nilgiri district, Journal of butterfly species which gives future conservation of the Bombay Natural History Society, 1935; 38(2):330- butterflies in Kerala. 340. 14. Talbot G. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon 6. Acknowledgement and Burma, Butterflies, second ed.,Taylor and Francis The authors are grateful thanks to N.Mohanraj and Ltd., , 1939; 1:600. P.A.Vinaiyan (WWF India-Nilgiris Eastern Ghats landscape) 15. Talbot G. The fauna of British India, including Ceylon for providing valuable guidance and identification of and Burma, Butterflies, second ed.,Taylor and Francis butterflies. Ltd., London. 1947; 2:506. 16. Wynter-Blyth MA. The butterflies of the Nilgiris, Journal 7. References of the Bombay Natural History Society. 1944a, 1. James Kehinde Omifolaji, Georgina Samuel Mwansat. 44(4):536-549. Butterfly species diversity and abundance in university of 17. Wynter-Blyth MA. The butterflies of the Nilgiris, Part II, Ibadan botanical garden, Nigeria. Open Journal of Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 1944b; Ecology 2015; 5:352-360. 45(1):47-60. 2. Gaonkar H. Butterflies of Western Ghats, including Sri 18. Wynter-Blyth MA. The butterflies of the Nilgiris - a Lanka, A biodiversity assessment of a threatened supplementary note, J of the Bombay Natural History mountain system, Nature. 1996; 32:109-110. Society. 1947a; 46(4):735-736. 3. Singh V, Banyal HS. Preliminary ecological studies on 19. Wynter-Blyth MA. Addi``tions to `The butterflies of the the from Khajjiar lake catchment, Himachal Nilgiris’, J. of the Bombay Natural History Society. Pradesh, India, Biodiversity Journal. 2014; 5(1):61-68. 1947b; 46(4):736. 4. Kunte K. Seasonal patterns in butterfly abundance and 20. Deepika DS, Atluri JB, Laxmi Sowmya K. Occurrence species diversity in four tropical habitats in the Northern and distribution of Flying jewels in Visakhapatnam, Western Ghats. Journal of Bioscience. 1997; 22:593-603. International J. of Advanced Research, 2014; 2(6):948- 5. Kocher SD, Williams EH. The diversity and abundance 958. of North American butterflies vary with habitat 21. Guptha MB, Rao PVC, Reddy DS. A preliminary disturbance and geography. Journal of Biogeography. observation of butterflies Seshachalam biosphere reserve, 2000; 27:785-794. Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India, Journal of 6. Fergusson HS. A list of butterflies of Travancore. Entomology and Zoology Studies. 2012; 7(1):83-89. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, 1891, 464. 22. Singh V, Banyal HS. Preliminary ecological studies on 7. Wynter-Blyth. M. A, Butterflies of the Nilgiris, Journal the Lepidoptera from Khajjiar lake catchment, Himachal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 1944; 44:601- Pradesh, India, Biodiversity Journal. 2014; 5(1):61-68. 602. 23. Chowdhury S. Butterflies of Southern Biosphere ~ 80 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Reserve, , Eastern India, a preliminary in relation to a human- impact gradient on an Indian survey of their taxonomic diversity, ecology and their university campus, Nota lepidopterologica 2007; conservation, Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2014; 30(1):179-188. 6(8):6082-6092. 42. Tiple AD. Butterfly species diversity, relative abundance 24. George Mathew. Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi, and status in Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, Development of butterfly farming via- a – vis Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Journal of Threatened conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, Taxa. 2012; 4(7):2713-2717. 2006, 43. Barlow J, Overal WL, Araujo IS, Gardner TA, Carlos 25. Ishii M. Transect count of butterflies. In: Decline and AP. The value of primary, secondary and plantation Conservation of Butterflies in II. 1993, 91-101. forests for fruit-feeding butterflies in the Brazilian 26. Kunte K. Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Amazon. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2007; 44:1001- Press () and Indian Academy of Sciences 1012. (Bengaluru), 2000, 270. 44. Ravindra M, Viswanathan S, Ram GM. Checklist of 27. Kehimkar I. The Book of Indian Butterflies. Bombay Butterfly species of Osmania University Campus. Natural History Society, 2008, 497. Hyderabad. Zoos Print Journal. 1996; 11(10):5. 28. Shannon CE, Weaver W. Mathematical theory of 45. IUCN. Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010, communication, University of Illinois Press, 1941. 2015. 29. Nandhakumar MK, Sivan VV, Jayesh P, Joseph MM, Jithin N, Anilkumar. Butterfly species density and abundance in Manikunnumala Forest of Western Ghats, India; International Journal of Advanced Research. 2015; 3(1):206-211. 30. Arun PR, Azeez PA. On the butterflies of Puyankutty forests, Kerala, India, Zoos print journal. 2003; 18:1276- 1279. 31. Ramesh T, Hussain KJ, Selvanayagam M, Satpathy KK, Prasad MVR. Patterns of Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Butterflies Communities in Heterogeneous Landscapes of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Campus at Kalpakkam, . International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation. 2010; 2:75-85. 32. Grossmueller DW, Lederhouse RC. The role of source distribution in habitat use and oviposition by the tiger . Journal of Lepidopteran Society. 1987; 41(3):159-165. 33. Thomas JA. The ecology and conservation of Maculinea arion and other European species-of large blue butterfly. In: Pullin AS, editor. Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies. Chapman and Hall; 1995. pp. 180–210. 34. Erica Fleishman GT, Austin PF, Brussard, Murphy DD. Acomparison of butterfly communities in native and agricultural riparian habitats in the Great basin. Biological Conservation 1999; 89:209-218. 35. Sudheendrakumar VV, Binoy CF, Suresh PV, Mathew G. Habitat associations of butterflies in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 2000; 97:193-201. 36. Poyry J, Paukkunen J, Heliola J. Relative contributions of local and regional factors to species richness and total density of butterflies and moths in semi-natural grasslands. Oecologia. Published online. 2009. 37. Mathew G, Rahmathulla VK. Studies on the butterflies of the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India. Entomon. 1994; 18:185-192. 38. Kunte K. Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press (Hyderabad) and Indian Academy of Sciences (Bengaluru), 2000. 270. 39. Jha CS, Dutt CBS, Bawa KS. Deforestration and land use changes in Western Ghats, India. Curr. Sci. 2000; 79:231-238. 40. Wynter-Blyth MA. The butterflies of the Nilgiris, Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 1944a; 44(4):536-549. 41. Tiple AD, Khurad AM, Dennis RLH. Butterfly diversity

~ 81 ~