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Diversity of Butterflies in an Arboretum of Vadodara, Gujarat, India

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Diversity of Butterflies in an Arboretum of Vadodara, Gujarat, India 13 2 2073 the journal of biodiversity data 28 March 2017 Check List LISTS OF SPECIES Check List 13(2): 2073, 28 March 2017 doi: https://doi.org/10.15560/13.2.2073 ISSN 1809-127X © 2017 Check List and Authors Diversity of butterflies in an arboretum of Vadodara, Gujarat, India Urjit M. Bhatt1, 3 & P. S. Nagar2 1 Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Wildlife Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttrakhand, India 2 Department of Botany, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002, Gujarat, India 3 Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Potent pollinators and ecological indicators, these changes (Boonvanno et al. 2000; Brattstrom et butterflies are important for estimating the general health al. 2008). Threats to the butterfly fauna include the use of an ecosystem. Owing to the rich plant diversity (927 spe- of pesticides, urbanization, intensive forestry, agriculture cies), an arboretum in Vadodara, state of Gujarat, India was and exotic species (New 1997; Wagner & Van Driesche selected for surveying butterfly diversity. Our survey was 2010). In addition, knowledge of butterfly diversity may conducted in all seasons for an entire year from October aid as a substitute for plant diversity because butterflies 2012 to October 2013 and revealed 61 species. Recorded are directly reliant on plants, often in highly co-evolved were six species of Papilionidae, three species of Hesperiid- situations (Ehrlich & Raven 1964). ae, 20 species of Nymphalidae, 13 species of Pieridae, and In this context, our study examines the diversity of but- 19 species of Lycaenidae. Junonia dominated with five spe- terflies in an arboretum and discusses the conservation cies, followed by Eurema (three species), Graphium (three needs of rare and threatened butterfly species. Studies in species), and Chilades (three species). Our study gives a the past have been conducted on similar grounds in other comprehensive insight into the species diversity and rich- nature parks and arboretums of the country (Raut and ness of butterflies in Vadodara and highlights the need to Pendharkar 2010; Patil & Shende 2014). conserve rare and threatened butterfly species there. Key words: Biodiversity; Lepidoptera; Wildlife Protection Act MATERIALS AND METHODS Study site INTRODUCTION The study area includes 4.85 ha arboretum in the city Biodiversity is important for estimating the general health of Vadodara, Gujarat state, India (22°19ʹ12.22ʺ N to 22° as well as development of proper conservation plans for 19ʹ19.95ʺ N and 073°10ʹ47.40ʺ E to 073°10ʹ42.85ʺ E). The the entire ecosystem, especially in ecologically sensitive arboretum situated on the distal part of human habita- groups such as butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) tion within the urban expanse of the city (Figure 1). Based (Chowdhury & Soren 2011). Butterflies are one of the best on the botanical survey of Daniel & Nagar (2010) this taxonomically studied groups of insects (Robbins & Opler arboretum harbors 411 species of angiosperms, including 1997). New et al. (1995) called them the flagship taxa for 129 species of trees, 32 shrubs, 24 climbers and 80 herbs. invertebrate conservation, and the plight of butterflies has It also has 148 plots of different medicinal plants (Dan- been a focus of entomologists for over a century. Lepidop- iel & Nagar 2010). Outside of the monsoon season that tera are beneficial as pollinators, silk producers, indicators extends from mid-June to mid-September, the climate is of environmental quality, and appreciated for their aes- dry. The average rainfall of the region is 93 cm whereas thetic value (Pollard 1991; Kunte 2000; Kumar 2012). temperatures fall in the range of 12.5–40.1 °C (IMD 2014). The holometabolous life history of butterflies causes them to be exposed to a wide range of environmental influences, Field survey and data collection and they are highly sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and light levels (Erhardt 1985; Kremen 1992; Our survey was conducted in all seasons for an entire year Sparrow et al. 1994; Chey et al. 1997; Spitzer et al. 1997). from October 2012 to October 2013. Field observations Increases in human population and advances in technol- were made on a daily basis between 10:00 to 17:00 h. But- ogy have directly affected the ecosystems of the world and terflies were recorded by visual observations, with the aid of many lepidopterans and other organisms cannot adapt binocular and a digital camera (Sony, HX100V). Butterflies 1 Bhatt and Nagar | Butterflies in an arboretum, Gujarat, India Figure 1. Location of the study site (arboretum) in Vadodara, state of Gujarat, India. (Source: Google Earth™). were observed, photographed, and identified with the help Lycaenidae (19 species, 32%), Pieridae (13 species, 21%), of literature (Evans 1932; Wynter-Blyth 1957; Gay et Papilionidae (six species, 10%) and Hesperiidae (three al. 1992; Lewington 1999; Kunte 2000; Parasharya & species, 5%) (Figure 2). Junonia was the most species-rich Jani 2007; Kehimkar 2011). Some individuals of certain genera, represented by five species. species were captured using a butterfly net, identified, and then released. Species richness was calculated as the total Threatened taxa number of the species in a group in an area. Of the species recorded, nine species were listed under Schedule I of Part IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, RESULTS 1972 (Figures 55–63): Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775), Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758), Danaus genutia (Cram- Species richness er, 1779), Virachola isocrates (Fabricius, 1793), Hypolimnas We found 61 species belonging to 43 genera in five families bolina (Linnaeus, 1758), Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, (Figures 3–63; Table 1). The species richness was highest 1764), Jamides bochus (Stoll, 1782), Parantica aglea (Stoll, in Nymphalidae (20 species, 33% of the total) followed by 1782), and Tirumala limniace (Cramer, 1775). Check List | www.biotaxa.org/cl 2 Volume 13 | Issue 2 | Article 2073 Bhatt and Nagar | Butterflies in an arboretum, Gujarat, India Table 1. Butterfly diversity and its status in an arboretum, Vadodara, state of Gujarat, India. Scientific name Frequency encountered# Scientific name Frequency encountered# Papilionidae Pieridae Graphium doson (Felder & Felder, 1864) VC Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius, 1775) VC Graphium agamemno (Linnaeus, 1758) C Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758) UC Graphium nomius (Esper, 1799) VR Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) VC Pachliopta aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775) C Eurema brigitta (Stoll, 1780) C Papilio demoleus (Linnaeus, 1758) C Eurema laeta (Boisduval, 1836) UC Papilio polytes (Linnaeus, 1758) UC Delias eucharis (Drury, 1773) C Hesperiidae Pareronia hippia (Fabricius, 1787) R Borbo cinnara (Wallace, 1866) C Ixias pyrene (Linnaeus, 1764) VC Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius, 1798) C Ixias marianne (Cramer, 1779) VR Suastus gremius (Fabricius, 1798) UC Colotis danae (Fabricius, 1775) UC Nymphalidae Colotis amata (Fabricius,1775) VR Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758)* VC Belenois aurota (Fabricius,1793) VC Danaus genutia (Cramer, 1779)* UC Cepora nerissa (Fabricius, 1775) VC Tirumala limniace (Cramer, 1775)* UC Lycaenidae Parantica aglea (Stoll, 1782)* R Curetis thetis (Drury, 1773) R Euploea core (Cramer, 1780) VC Virachola isocrates (Fabricius, 1793)* UC Euploea klugii (Moore, 1857) VR Rapala iarbus (Fabricius, 1787) R Melanitis leda (Linnaeus, 1758) VR Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775)* VC Phalanta phalantha (Drury, 1773) UC Tarucus nara (Kollar, 1848) VR Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) C Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius, 1798) C Ariadne merione (Cramer, 1777) VC Catochrysops strabo (Fabricius, 1793) VC Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus,1763) VR Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) C Junonia iphita (Cramer, 1779) C Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1787) C Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758) C Zizula hylax (Fabricius, 1775) C Junonia atlites (Linnaeus, 1763) VR Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) VC Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) VC Chilades parrhasius (Fabricius, 1793) C Junonia almana (Linnaeus, 1758) UC Chilades pandava (Horsfield, 1829) R Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)* C Chilades lajus (Stoll, 1780) UC Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758)* C Jamides bochus (Stoll, 1782)* VR Ypthima huebneri (Kirby, 1871) VR Freyeria putli (Kollar, 1844) VR Lethe verma (Kollar, 1844) VR Anthene lycaenina (Felder, 1868) R Prosotas dubiosa (Semper, 1879) UC Leptotes plinius (Fabricius, 1793) VC * Listed under Schedule 1 of Part IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 #VC (very common): >100 individuals, C (common): <100 and >50 individuals, UC (uncommon): <50 and >25 individuals, R (rare): >25 and <10 individu- als, VR (very rare): <10 individuals. Family Papilionidae 35% Graphium doson (Felder & Felder, 1864) (Common Jay): Figure 3 30% 25% Forewings black with a chain of little greenish spots on outer and inner edges. A chain of large greenish spots at the 20% middle of the wing. Underside brown with pale color spots. 15% Hindwings black with wavy edges. Chain of little greenish 10% spots on outer edge. Next to the body, a large greenish color- Percent of total species of total Percent ation with a black strip. Underside similar to the upper side 5% with additional red spots. Abdomen, thorax, and head black. 0% Hesperiidae Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758) (Tailed Jay): Figure 2. Species richness, by family, of butterflies in an arboretum, Vado- Figure 4 dara, state of Gujarat, India (October 2012 to October 2013). Forewings black with green
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