Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2015; 3(3): 258-264

E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 diversity in relation to Chromolaena JEZS 2015; 3(3): 258-264 © 2015 JEZS odorata (L.) King and H.E. Robins as a nectar Received: 12-04-2015

Accepted: 17-05-2015 plant from two selected regions of Bangladesh

Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Junior Wildlife Researcher, Tahsinur Rahman Shihan, Nasima Kabir Monitoring and Conservation of Wildlife in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh Project. Abstract Department of Zoology, use Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) flower as an important source of nectar. A survey was Jahangirnagar University, conducted to investigate the diversity of butterflies in relation to C. odorata (L.) in two selected Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. geographically different areas namely Kaptai National Park and Jahangirnagar University Campus during the period of December 2011 to January 2015. A total of 55 species of butterflies belonging to 06 Nasima Kabir families were recorded during this survey period of which 35 species of 28 genera were recorded from Department of Zoology, Kaptai National Park and 26 species of 23 genera were recorded from Jahangirnagar University Campus. Jagannath University, Dhaka- Six different species which include Acraea violae, pomona, , Eurema 1100, Bangladesh. hecabe, Cethosia cyane and Tagiades japetus were identified in the both areas.

Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, Butterflies, Nymphalidae, Nectar plant

1. Introduction Although a significant majority of butterflies have strong interactions with flowers, plants and other biotic components of any ecosystem but the information about butterfly species and their nectar-host plant relationships in Bangladesh are scanty [1, 2]. Floral attributes are well known

to influence nectar-feeding butterflies. The diversity of butterflies for particular habitats is associated with the availability of larval host plants and adult nectar plants. Many of the flowering plants are used by butterflies as nectar plants and support a rich diversity of butterflies. Butterflies have been found to differ in the range of available nectar sources used [3, 4]. The Chromolaena odorata (L.) (Asteraceae) florets attract butterflies and an important nectar [5] source for adult butterflies . However, C. odorata (L.) is a scrambling perennial shrub, with straight, pithy, brittle stems which branch readily, bear three-veined, ovate-triangular leaves placed oppositely, and with a shallow, fibrous root system invasive plant found in the humid tropics and sub-tropics worldwide [6, 7, 8]. Capitula are borne in panicles at the ends of the branches and are devoid of ray florets. The corollas of the florets vary between plants from [7, 9] white to pale blue or lilac. Achenes are black with a pale pappus . In open-land situations, C. odorata grows to 2–3 m in height, but it can reach up to 5–10 m when supported by other vegetation. It shows marked morphological variability in terms of flower color, leaf shape and hairiness, smell of the crushed leaves and plant architecture. In some regions, several forms and their intermediates co-occur, while in others, the population appears homogeneous; the [10] basis for this variability presently remains unexplained . It flowers during October-February. The inflorescences consist of corymbs of cylindrical heads and the floral characteristics such as white to purple colour of florets, short-tubed narrow corolla with deep seated nectar, the morning anthesis and the flat-topped head inflorescence providing a standing platform are important attractants for visitation by butterflies [5]. However, this paper presents the diversity

of butterflies in relation to C. odorata (L.) in two selected geographically different areas Correspondence: namely Kaptai National Park and Jahangirnagar University Campus Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Junior Wildlife Researcher, 2. Materials and Methods Monitoring and Conservation of 2.1 Study area Wildlife in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh Project. 2.1.1 Kaptai National Park: Kaptai National Park (KNP) is a mixed evergreen forest with Department of Zoology, some areas of planted Tecktona grandis. It was declared as a National Park by the Government Jahangirnagar University, of Bangladesh in 1999. It is situated in the Kaptai sub district under Rangamati district in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. southeast Bangladesh (22030.08´ N latitude and 92016.02´ E longitude). It consists of 5464.8 ~ 258 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

hectares area and it is 1600 ft. high from sea level. This mixed Dhaka city and elevation 39 ft. from sea level. It consists of evergreen forest and plantation areas has diverse habitat for 280 hectares of area. JU campus has diverse ecological butterflies such as grassland, bushes, marshy areas and habitats and vegetation types. It consists of woodlands, cultivation fields [11]. The main study area was the forest near jungles, grasslands, rice fields and vegetables gardens. Some the new Rangamati road, where the plants grow enormously. of the water bodies reside in the campus. All of these features make the present study area as an ideal habitat for various 2.1.2 Jahangirnagar University Campus: Jahangirnagar kinds of wildlife and incalculable number of [12, 13, 14]. University campus (JU C) is situated at the central region of In and around the botanical garden of this university was the Bangladesh. Geographically the campus is at 30016´N latitude main habitat for this plant. and 90052´E longitude, which is about 33 km north-west from

Fig 1: Map of Jahangirnagar University Campus and Kaptai National Park.

2.1.3 Collection and identification of butterflies: The study belonging 13 genera, represents 13 species belonging was carried out during December 2011 to January 2015 in two 07 genera, Hesperiidae represents 06 species belonging to 06 selected areas. Regular observations on the butterflies, visiting genera, Papilionidae represents 04 species belonging to 03 the flowers for forage were made during the flowering period genera and while Riodinidae represents only 01 species of the plants [5]. The observation period was at least seven days belonging to 01genera. Among members, genera Delias and per month (October, November, December, January and Junonia found most (both 04 members) of family Pieridae and February) during the course of the survey. Butterfly species Nymphalidae selected C. odorata as a favourite nectar plant were identified directly in the field by visualization and photo- respectively, beside genera Appias of family peiridae and documentation by Nikon Coolpix P100, Canon DSLR 1100D genera Rapala of family Lycaenidae found 03 members. On and 55-250 mm lens and with the help of field guides followed the other hand genera Euploea of family Nymphalidae, genera by photography, in difficult cases, rarely by capture. Eurema of family Pieridae and genera Papilio of family Identification, scientific names and common names of Papilionidae found 02 members each. Out of 55 species, 35 butterflies is after Evans (1927), Wynter-Blyth (1957), species were found in the Kaptai National Park (KNP) and 26 Marshall & de Niceville (1883), Bingham (1905), Kunte species were found in the Jahangirnagar University Campus (2000), Larsen (2004), Kehimkar (2008) and Kunte et al. (JU C) area with 06 common species were found in both (2012) [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22]. Kaptai National Park (KNP) and Jahangirnagar University Campus (JU C) which include Acraea violae, Catopsilia 3. Results pomona, Papilio demoleus, Eurema hecabe, Cethosia cyane During the course of study a total of 55 species of butterflies and Tagiades japetus. Out of 06 species family Nymphalidae of 06 families belonging to 42 genera were recorded. In the and Pieridae contained two members where as Papilionidae present study, the most abundant family was Nymphalidae and Hesperiidae contained only 01 member. Interestingly no followed by Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae, Papilionidae member of Riodinidae was observed that taking nectar from and Riodinidae. Nymphalidae family represents 16 species this plant in the Jahangirnagar University Campus during belonging to 12 genera; Lycaenidae represents 15 species study period.

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Table 1: List of Butterflies used Chromolaena odorata as nectar plant in Kaptai National Park (KNP) and Jahangirnagar University Campus (JU C).

Area SL Scientific Name Common Name Family KNP JU C 1. Acraea violae Tawny Coster Nymphalidae √ √ 2. Anthene lycaenina Pointed Ciliated Blue Lycaenidae √ 3. Appias albina Common Albatross Pieridae √ 4. Appias indra Plain Puffin Pieridae √ 5. Appias lyncida Chocolate Albatross Pieridae √ 6. Arthopala amantes Large Oakblue Lycaenidae √ 7. Athyma perius Common Sergeant Nymphalidae √ 8. Badamina exclamationis Brown Awl Hesperiidae √ 9. Caleta decidia Angled Pierrot Lycaenidae √ 10. Castalius rosimon Common Pierrot Lycaenidae √ 11. Catopsilia pomona Lemon Emigrant Pieridae √ √ 12. Cepora nerissa Common Gull Pieridae √ 13. Cethosia cyane Leopard Lacewing Nymphalidae √ √ 14. Cupha erymanthis Rustic Nymphalidae √ 15. Danaus genutia Striped Tiger Nymphalidae √ 16. Delias descombesi Red-spot Jezebel Pieridae √ 17. Delias eucharis Common Jezebel Pieridae √ 18. Delias hyparete Painted jezebel Pieridae √ 19. Delias pasithoe Red-base Jezebel Pieridae √ 20. Deudorix epijarbas Cornelian Lycaenidae √ 21. Euploea core Common Crow Nymphalidae √ 22. Euploea mulciber Striped Blue Crow Nymphalidae √ 23. Eurema blanda Three-spot Grass Yellow Pieridae √ 24. Eurema hecabe Common Grass Yellow Pieridae √ √ 25. Gerosis bhagava Common Yellow-breast Flat Hesperiidae √ 26. Graphium agamemnon Tailed Jay Papilionidae √ 27. Hypolycaena erylus Common Tit Lycaenidae √ 28. Iambrix salsala Chestnut Bob Hesperiidae √ 29. Jamides bochus Dark Cerulean Lycaenidae √ 30. Junonia almana Peacock Pansy Nymphalidae √ 31. Junonia atlites Grey Pansy Nymphalidae √ 32. Junonia iphitia Chocolate Pansy Nymphalidae √ 33. Junonia lemonias Lemon Pansy Nymphalidae √ 34. Leptosia nina Psyche Pieridae √ 35. Leptotes plinius Zebra Blue Lycaenidae √ 36. Megisba malaya Malayan Lycaenidae √ 37. Moduza procris Commander Nymphalidae √ 38. Odontoptilum angulata Chestnut Angle Hesperiidae √ 39. Pachliopta aristolochiae Common Rose Papilionidae √ 40. Papilio demoleus Citrus Butterfly Papilionidae √ √ 41. Papilio memnon Great Mormon Papilionidae √ 42. Parantica aglea Glassy Tiger Nymphalidae √ 43. Parthenos sylvia Clipper Nymphalidae √ 44. Pelopidas agna Bengal Swift Hesperiidae √ 45. Peroronia hippia Common Wanderer Pieridae √ 46. Phalanta phalanta Common Leopard Nymphalidae √ 47. Prosotas nora Common Lineblue Lycaenidae √ 48. Rapala dieneces Scarlet Flash Lycaenidae √ 49. Rapala manea Slate Flash Lycaenidae √ 50. Rapala pheretima Copper Flash Lycaenidae √ 51. Remelana jangala Chocolate Royal Lycaenidae √ 52. Tagiades japetus Common Snow flat Hesperiidae √ √ 53. Tarucus ananda Dark Pierrot Lycaenidae √ 54. Vagrans sinha Vagrant Nymphalidae √ 55. Zemeros flegyas Punchinello Riodinidae √ ~ 260 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

Fig 2: Comparison of genera and species of butterflies in respective Fig 3: Number of butterfly species in relation with families. families.

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Fig 4: Photographs of the butterflies on Chromolaena odorata (see Table 1 for corresponding names). Photographs 1-28, 30-38, 40-53, 55 © Tahsinur Rahman Shihan; 29, 54 © Imran Hossain; 39 © Niaj Murshed Abir.

4. Discussion visit in succession for nectar before their departure. The In previous study Lakshmi & Raju (2011) reported flowering heads borne terminally stand out prominently and Chromolaena odorata as an important source of nectar for the butterflies were found to be attracted to them even from adult butterflies in Seshachalam Hills of Southern Eastern long distance. Galetto & Bernardello (2003) reported that Ghats of Andhra Prades, India and only 21 species of hexose nectars are characteristic of Asteraceae. Baker & Baker butterflies were recorded to use this plant as a nectar source. In (1983) also stated that hexose sugars dominate in the nectars the present study 55 species of butterflies were identified that of Asteraceae and the nectars are also relatively strong in use this plant as a source of nectar. In these 55 species, 09 amino acids to compensate for the low sucrose-hexose ratio in species namely Acraea violae, Danaus genutia, Delias the members of this family which attract butterflies. Since C. eucharis, Euploea core, Junonia ipthitia, Junonia lemonias, odorata is a member of Asteraceae, hexose-rich sugars and Papilio demoleus, Parantica aglea and Phalanta phalanta also high amino acid concentration could be expected in the nectar. reported by Lakshmi & Raju (2011). This discrepancy may be The retention of florets for extended periods may enhance the due to the geographical distribution and variation of both plant attractiveness of flowering heads to visiting butterflies. C. and species occurrences. Lakshmi & Raju (2011) also reported odorata with these floral structural and functional that the cylindrical heads equipped with a cluster of florets characteristics attract butterflies. The patchy distribution of the provide a convenient landing place for butterflies and also this plant with numerous flowering heads facilitates frequent arrangement enables them to probe several flowers in each movement of butterflies between different individuals. ~ 263 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies

5. Conclusion Bangladesh Journal of Life Sciences 2006; 18(2):35-44. Butterflies get a source of large amount of nutrition from C. 15. Evans WH. The Identification of Indian Butterflies. The odorata flowers and pollinate the flowers heavily, which is the Bombay natural History Society, 1927, 199-273. key success of its highly invasiveness of different parts of the 16. Wynter-Blyth MA. Butterflies of Indian Region, Bombay world. Natural History Society, Bombay, 1957, 523. 17. Marshall GFL, de Niceville L. Butterflies of India, 6. Acknowledgements Burmah and Ceylon. Vol 1. A.J Reprints Agency, New Authors are grateful to Professor Dr. Monirul H. Khan, Shihab Delhi, 1883, 338. Khaledin Aungkur, Mohammed Arif Hossain Prodhan, Dr. 18. Bingham CT. Butterflies. Vol. II and Vol. II. Fauna of Mofizul Kabir, Dr. Kamrul Hasan, Bayezid Khan, Nimus British India. text illustrations and 10 color plates, Sadat Khan, Rahul Bashak, Imran Hossain and Niaj Murshed London, 1905, 480. Abir. 19. Kunte K. Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press (Hyderabad) and Indian Academy of Sciences, 7. References Bengaluru, 2000, 270. 1. Ehrlich PR, Raven PH. Butterflies and plants: a study in 20. Larsen TB. Butterflies of Bangladesh: an annotated co-evolution. Evolution 1964; 18:586-608. checklist: IUCN, the World Conservation Union, 2. Huffaker CB, Gordon HT, Gutierrez AP. Introduction to Bangladesh Country Office, 2004, 158. Ecological Entomology. In: Ecol. Entomol. Huffaker CB, 21. Kehimkar I. The Book of Indian Butterflies. Bombay Gutierrez AP (Eds.). John Wiley and Sons, Inc, New Natural History Society, 2008, 497. York, 1999, 100. 22. Kunte KS, Sondhi BM, Sangma R, Lovalekar K, Tokekar, 3. Ashish DT, Vishal PD, Roger HD. Factors influencing Agavekar G et al. Butterflies of the Garo Hills of nectar plant resource visits by butterflies on a university Meghalaya, northeastern India: their diversity and campus: implications for conservation. Nota lepid 2006; conservation. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2012; 28 (3-4):213-224. 4(10):2933-2992. 4. Nair AV, Mitra P, Aditya S. Studies on the diversity and 23. Galetto L, Bernardello G. Nectar sugar composition in abundance of butterfly (: Rhopalocera) fauna angiosperms from Chaco and Patagonia (Argentina): an in and around Sarojini Naidu college campus, Kolkata, visitor’s matter? Plant Systematics & Evolution West Bengal, India. Journal of Entomology and Zoology 2003; 238:69-86. Studies 2014; 2(4):129-134. 24. Baker HG, Baker I. Floral nectar sugar constituents in 5. Lakshmi PV, Raju AJS. Chromolaena odorata (L.) King relation to pollinator type. In: Jones CE, Little RJ (eds.). & H.E. Robins (Asteraceae), an important nectar source Handbook of Experimental Pollination Biology. Scientific for adult butterflies. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2011; and Academic Editions. New York, 1983, 117-141. 3(2):1542-1547. 6. Atindehou M, Lagnika L, Guérold B, Strub JM, Zhao M. et al. Isolation and Identification of two Antibacterial Agents from Chromolaena odorata L. Active against Four Diarrheal Strains. Advances in Microbiology 2013; 3:115- 121. 7. Holm LG, Plucknett DL, Pancho JV, Herberger PD. The World’s Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. Honolulu, HI: University Press of Hawaii, 1977, 108. 8. Henderson L. Alien Weeds and Invasive Plants. Handbook No. 12. Pretoria, South Africa: ARC-PPRI, 2001. 9. McFadyen REC. Siam weed: a new threat to Australia’s north. Plant Protection Quarterly 1989; 4:3-7. 10. Zachariades C, Senger IV, Barker NP. Evidence for a northern Caribbean origin for the southern African biotype of Chromolaena odorata. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Workshop on Biological Control and Management of Chromolaena, ed. Day MD, McFadyen RE. ACIAR Technical Reports 55. Canberra, Australia: ACIAR, 2004, 25-27. 11. Nishorgo Support Project. Protected Areas of Bangladesh: A Visitor Guide. Nishorgo Program, Bangladesh Forest Department, Dhaka, 2007. 12. Hossain ME, Khan SA, Islam MA. An Inventory of plant diversity in relation with Ecology and Environment of Jahangirnagar University: 1. V’eeetational composition and Their Identity. Bangladesh Journal Life Sciences 1995; 7(1-2):95-103. 13. Begum S. Brood parasitism in birds at Jahangirnagar University campus. Bangladesh Journal of Life Sciences 2003; 15(1):39-46. 14. Bashar K. Status and distribution of vector mosquito fauna in Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus. ~ 264 ~