Seasonal Diversity and Status of Butterfly Fauna in Sakoli Taluka of Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India Dharmik R

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

Research Article

Seasonal Diversity and Status of Butterfly Fauna in Sakoli Taluka of Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India Dharmik R. Ganvir1*, Kanchan P. Khaparde2

1Guest Professor, P. G. Department of Zoology, Manoharbhai Patel College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Sakoli- 441802, India 2Assistant Professor, P. G. Department of Zoology, Manoharbhai Patel College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Sakoli- 441802, India

*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Dharmik R. Ganvir, Guest Professor, P. G. Department of Zoology, M. B. Patel College, Sakoli- 441802, India

Received: 14 Feb 2018/ Revised: 27 April 2018/ Accepted: 21 June 2018

ABSTRACT Sakoli taluka lies in the basin of Chulbandh river and covered with dense forest and comprises agricultural fields and it is less highlighted for butterflies so the main aim of this study to show how these fields serve butterflies and prepare a checklist of that butterflies which use these fields in their various activities. Total 69 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 47 genera and 5 families. Nymphalidae family was dominant and consisting 25 species (36.24%); Lycaenidae 19 species (27.53%); Pieridae 13 species (18.84%); Hesperiidae 8 species (11.59%) and only 4 species (5.80%) recorded from family Papilionidae respectively. Maximum species richness reported from Monsoon and post- Monsoon season.

Key-words: Agricultural field, Species, River Seasonal diversity, Butterfly fauna

INTRODUCTION Agricultural fields are unique ecosystems that provide Their larvae release feces while feeding on the agrestals some butterflies to complete their life span. Butterflies and provide required nutrients to the crops [6]. Certain are one of the most colourful, popular and easily butterfly species are believed to be necessary to recognized groups of insects belong to order pollination of various wild plants and crops on which Lepidoptera. They are potentially useful ecological human beings depend on for their livelihoods [7]. The indicators of urbanization because sensitive to changes influence of butterflies on agroecosystem is better in microclimate, temperature [1] and extremely important studied in Europe than in Indian subcontinent [8]. In components of the bioindicators of the world [2,3]. Vidarbha region, it was compiled and records of 167 Butterflies serve as important plant pollinators in the species of butterflies belonging to 90 genera local environment and help to pollinate more than 50 representing 5 families [9]. In the agricultural field of economically important plant crops [4]. Butterflies serve Gondia district was recorded 24 species of butterflies the ecosystem especially by recycling nutrients (N, P, and belonging to 20 genera and 5 families during winter and K) essential for crops [5]. pre-monsoon season and 44 species 32 genera during monsoon and post-monsoon season respectively [10,11]. How to cite this article But little work did in the district Bhandara, Maharashtra. Ganvir DR, Khaparde KP. Seasonal Diversity and Status of Butterfly Fauna in Sakoli Taluka of Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India. So, it is necessary to study about seasonal diversity and Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., 2018; 4(4): 1905-1914. status of butterflies of this district especially agricultural

field. Access this article online www.ijlssr.com

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

MATERIALS AND METHODS once a week for each month. In monsoon and post-

Study site- The present study has been carried out for a monsoon season, the agricultural crops grow regularly period of Jan 2016 to Dec 2017 and conducted in the day by day. Regularly at least one visit in four trackway sites from agricultural field of Sakoli, Bhandara district during a week. Maharashtra, India during the four different season i.e. Sakoli city of Bhandara district located at North latitude month of winter (December to February), pre-monsoon 21˚09˚30˚ and East latitude 79˚40˚00˚and having 233 (March to May), monsoon (June to August) and meters elevation above sea level. District comprises was post-monsoon season (September to November). 185164.H.R agricultural area and main crop was paddy in Butterfly watching and data recording have been done kharip crop and cereals in rabbi crop (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Google map of Sakoli taluka of Bhandara district, Maharashtra, India taluka and tabulated (Table 1). Total 69 species of Observation were made through 4 line transects [10,11] of butterflies were recorded belonging to 47 genera (Tables 0.5 km to 0.7 km length with 2 m to 5 m on either side 2, Fig. 2). The family Papilionidae comprises only 3 along with agricultural field. The site was visited in genera (6.38%) and 4 species (5.80%). Family morning and evening hours to note maximum species of Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae butterflies. The observations were made with the help of consisted of 14 genera (29.79%) and 25 species (36.24%); binocular (Olympus 8-16X40) and capture photo by using 9 genera (19.15%) and13 species (18.84%); 15 genera digital cameras (Sony cyber- shot 16.2 megapixels, 16x (31.91%) and 19 species (27.53%); and 6 genera (12.77%) optical zoom with 24mm wide-angle Sony lens). The and 8 species (11.59%) respectively (Table 2, Fig. 3). recorded species are identified with the help of In the present study out of total 69 butterfly species the photographs by using reference books and available population of Brush-footed butterflies like Tigers publications and article as well as with the help of butterfly, Pansys and Tawny coster was higher followed experts. by, white and yellow as well as Blues and Skippers (Fig. RESULTS 4). The diversity and its status of butterfly contributed Seasonal diversity and status of butterfly’s fauna were population of Swallowtails was recorded very low in and recorded and prepare a checklist during four different around agro-ecosystem during pre-monsoon season and seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon, winter, and post- maximum species richness were observed during winter monsoon) in and around agricultural sites of Sakoli and post-monsoon season in morning hours (Table 1).

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

Table 1: Checklist of butterflies recorded together with Status and period of occurrence from Sakoli taluka of Bhandara district, Maharashtra, India

S. Photography Common Name Zoological Name Status Seasons No. Time Papilionidae (Swallowtails ) (04) 1 Papilio polytes Common mormon M C PRM Linnaeus 2 Pachliopta Common rose M C PRM aristolachiae Cramer 3 Papilio demoleus Lime butterfly M VC MN, POM Linnaeus 4 Graphium chironides Tailed joy M R WR (Honrath) Nymphalidae (Brush-footed ) (25) 5 Danaus chrysippus WR, PRM, MN, Plain tiger M VC Linnaeus POM 6 Danaus genutia Stripped tiger M C MN, POM Cramer 7 Euthalia aconthea MN, POM Common baron M C Cramer 8 Euploea core Cramer WR, PRM, MN, Common crow M VC POM 9 Hypolimnas WR, PRM, MN, Danaid eggfly M VC misippus Linnaeus POM 10 Hypolimnas bolina WR, PRM, MN, Great eggfly M VC Linnaeus POM 11 Tirumala limniace WR, PRM, MN, Blue tiger M C Cramer POM 12 Parantica aglea Glassy tiger M NR POM (Stoll) 13 Phalanta phalanta WR, PRM, MN, Common leopard M VC POM 14 Acraea violae WR, PRM, MN, Tawny coster M VC Fabricius POM 15 Baronet Euthalia nais Forster M C WR, PRM, MN 16 Junonia orithiya WR, PRM, MN, Blue pansy M VC Linnaeus POM 17 Junonia almanac WR, PRM, MN, Peacock pansy M VC Linnaeus POM 18 Junonia lemonias WR, PRM, MN, Lemon pansy M VC Linnaeus POM 19 Junonia atlites Grey pansy M C POM Linnaeus 20 Junonia hierta WR, PRM, MN, Yellow pansy M C Fabricius POM

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

21 Junonia WR, PRM, MN, Chocolate pancy M C iphita(Cramer) POM 22 Long brand Mycalesis visala WR, PRM, MN, M C bushbrown Moore POM 23 Mycalesis perseus WR, PRM, MN, Common Bushbrown M VC Fabricius POM 24 Common evening Melanitis leda WR, PRM, MN, M,E VC brown Linnaeus POM 25 Melanitis zitenius Great Evening Brown M C MN, POM Herbst 26 Polyura athamas Common nawab M R MN Drury 27 Moduza procris Commander M C MN, POM Cramer 28 Cethosia cyane Leopard lacewing M R POM Drury 29 Phaedyma(Neptis) Short-banded Sailer columella Cramer M NR POM

Pieridae (Yellow and blues) (13)

30 Appeas libythea Striped albatross M C MN, POM Fabricius 31 Appeas albina Common Albatross M C MN, POM Boisduval 32 Catopsila Pomona Common emigrant M VC MN, POM Fabricius 33 Catopsilia pyranthe WR, PRM, MN, Mottled Emigrant M VC Linnaeus POM 34 Cepora nerissa Common gull M VC MN, POM Fabricius 35 Delias eucharis WR, PRM, MN, Common jezebel M C Drury POM 36 Prioneris sita Felder Painted Sawtooth M R WR & Felder 37 Common grass Eurema hecabe WR, PRM, M VC yellow Linnaeus MN,POM 38 Eurema laeta WR, PRM, MN, Spotless Grass Yellow M VC (Boisduval POM 39 One-Spot Grass Eurema andersoni WR, PRM, MN, M C Yellow Moore POM 40 Indian Cabbage Pieris canidia WR, PRM, MN, M C White Linnaeus POM 41 Anaphaeis aurota WR, PRM, MN, Pioneer M C Fabricius POM 42 Pareronia valeria Common Wanderer M NR WR Cramer Lycaenidae (Blues) (19)

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

43 Abisara bifasciata Two-spot Plum Judy M R POM Moore 44 Dark pierrot Tarucus ananda M NR POM 45 Castalius rosimon WR, PRM, MN, Common pierrot M,E VC Fabricius POM 46 Tarucus extricatus WR, PRM, MN, Striped pierrot M C POM 47 Rounded pierrot Tarucus nara Kollar M C WR, PRM, POM 48 Tarucus Striped pierrot M, E C POM, WR theophrastus indica 49 Dark Cerulean Jamides bochus Stoll M R POM 50 Jamides celeno Common Cerulean M C WR, PRM, POM Cramer 51 Spindasis vulcanus Common Silverline M C WR, PRM, POM Fabricius 52 Amblypodia anita WR, PRM, MN, Purple Leaf Blue M,E C Hewitson POM 53 Euchrysops cnejus Gram Blue M,E C WR, POM Fabricius 54 Lampides boeticus Pea Blue M VC WR Linnaeus 55 Zizula hylax Tiny Grass Blue M, E VC WR Fabricius 56 Lesser grass blue Zizina otis Kollar M, E VC WR 57 Zizeeria karsandra Dark Grass Blue M, E VC WR Moore 58 Pseudozizeeria Pale Grass Blue M, E C POM, WR maha Kollar 59 Catochrysops strabo Forget-Me-Not M VC POM, WR Fabricius 60 Catachrysops Silver Forget-Me-Not M VC POM, WR panormus C. Felder 61 Everes lacturnus Indian Cupid M C WR, POM Godart Hesperiidae (Skippers) (08) 62 Spialia galba Indian skipper M C POM Fabricius 63 Barbo cinnarai WR, PRM, MN, Rice Swift M C POM 64 Pelopidas mathias WR, PRM, MN, Small Branded Swift M VC Fabricius POM 65 Blank Swift Caltoris kumara M C POM 66 Pelopidas Large Branded Swift M C POM subochracea 67 Udaspes folus Grass Demon M NR WR, PRM, MN, Cramer

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

68 Pelopidas conjuncta WR, PRM, MN, Conjoined Swift M VC Herrich-Schäffer POM 69 Badamia Brown Awl exclamationis M C WR, PRM, MN, Fabricius Photography time- M: Morning hour; E: Evening hour Status- VC - very common (seen > 50 visits); C - common (seen 25-50 visit); NTR - not rare (seen 10-25 visits); R - rare (1-5 visit); NR- not recorded. Seasons: WR: Winter season: PRM: Pre-Monsoon season; MN: Monsoon season and POM: Post-Monsoon season

Table 2: Family wise Distribution of genera and species of butterflies during pre-monsoon, monsoon, winter and post-monsoon season

Identified Genera & species (Numbers) Percentage (%) S. No. Family Genera Species Genera Species 1 Papilionidae 03 04 6.38 5.80 2 Nymphalidae 14 25 29.79 36.24 3 Pieridae 09 13 19.15 18.84 4 Lycaenidae 15 19 31.91 27.53 5 Hesperiidae 06 08 12.77 11.59 Total 05 47 69 100 100

DISCUSSION In the present study, total 69 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 47 genera and 5 families. Family Nymphalideae was the largest family comprised of maximum number of species 22 (36.24%). The ability to quantify diversity in this way is an important tool for biologists trying to understand community structure [12]. Earlier was documented the most dominant family was Nymphalideae followed by Lycanideae, Pierideae, Hespiriideae and Papillionidae [11,13-19] . The 29 butterfly

Fig. 2: Family wise distribution of genus of butterfly species from agricultural field of Howrah, West Bengal [13] recorded in 5 families and most dominant family is Nymphalidae (11) followed by Lycaenidae (9), Pieridae (4), Hespiriidae (3) and Papilionidae (2) and only in rice field recorded 8 species from 4 families. Total 145 species of butterflies were recorded in and around Nagpur City including agricultural land [14]. The highest number of butterflies was recorded belonging to the Nymphalidae (51 species) and least number of butterflies belong to family Papilionidae (9 species).

Fig. 3: Family wise distribution of butterfly Species

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

The study revealed that most butterfly species were Earlier [10,11] was recorded least population of butterflies observed from the monsoon to early winter and during winter and pre-monsoon season it was total 24 contribute Nymphalideae was most dominating family species of butterflies belonging to 20 genera and comparised highest number of species but thereafter increases species population during monsoon and post- declined in early summer [15]. monsoon season. In Jnandweepa, VPM campus, Thane, Total of 50 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families Maharashtra was recorded 52 butterfly’s species [18]. was recorded in Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve of Family Nymphalideae showed 22 species which was Eastern Ghats Andhra Pradesh, India [16]. The family maximum species diversity dominance followed by Nymphalidae (20 species) was found dominant followed family Pierideae and Lycanideae represents 10 species by Lycaenidae (12 species), Pieridae (11 species), each and family Papillionideae and Hespirideae having Papilionidae (5 species) and Hesperiidae (2 species). least number of species diversity it was 7 and 3 species In eastern part of Western Ghats [17], survey 103 respectively. individual butterfly species. Family belonging Total 92 species of butterflies was expressed belong to Nymphalidae contributed highest number of butterflies 59 genera and 5 families from Gorewada International (32 species) followed by family Pierideae (23 species), Bio-Park Nagpur, Central India [19]. High incidence of which revealed that Nymphalidae and Pieridae was rich butterfly population with wide distribution was observed dominant families, while Hesperiidae (15 species) and during the month of March-April and monsoon season Papilionidae (14 species) were less dominant; similar to (September-November) which diminish during the present observations. December-January. All the observation is similar with the present observation.

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

Fig. 4: Common butterflies from Sakoli, Bhandara study area

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

CONCLUSIONS pond in Midnapore town, West Bengal, India. J. The butterfly diversity and status of Agro ecosystem of Environmental Biology, 2009; 30: 283-287. Sakoli, Bhandara district is mostly high. The present work [4] Borges RM, Gowda V and Zacharias M. Butterfly has concluded that systematically studied butterfly pollination and high contrast visual signals in a low diversity first time in and around the agricultural field density distylous plant. Oceologia, 2003; 136: and prepared a checklist in the study site. 571 - 573. Family-Nymphalidae carries the maximum number of [5] Schmidt BC and Roland J. Moth diversity in a species 25 (36.24%) than remaining families. This study fragmented habitat: importance of functional groups would be useful to conserve the seasonal diversity of and landscape scale in the boreal forest. Annals of indigenous butterfly species in the study area. the Entomological Society of America, 2006; 99 (6): Butterflies play an important role during ripening stage 1110–1120. of paddy crop for better pollination and other crop also [6] Marchiori MO and Romanowski HP. Species for harvest quantity and quantity crop, therefore it need composition and diel variation of a butterfly to conserve food plant of butterfly larvae in target area. taxocene (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea and Hersperioidea) in a resting forest at Itapua State ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Park, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Revista Brasileira de The authors would want to convey their gratitude to the Zoologia, 2006; 23(2): 443–454. Dr. H. R. Trivedi, Principal, M. B. Patel College, Sakoli for [7] Boriani L, Burgio G, Marini M and Genghini M. providing facilities during survey. We are also thankful to Faunistic study on butterflies collected in Northern the Dr. C. J. Khune Associate Professor and Head, P. G. Italy rural landscape. Bulletin of Insectology, 2005; Department of Zoology, M. B. Patel College, Sakoli, for 58 (1):49–56. providing needable aids to carry out the survey and [8] Tumuhimbise GM, Okwakol JN and Kangwagye TN. valuable guidance. Species diversity of swallowtail butterflies CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS (Papilionidae: Lepidoptera) in North Maramagambo Authors have planned the valuable work on survey of Forest. African Journal of Ecology, 2001; 39 (1): butterflies in an around agricultural field with respect to 113–115. seasonal diversity and its status of Sakoli taluka of [9] Tiple AD. Butterflies of Vidarbha region, Maharashtra Bhandara district were ampule number of butterfly State, central India. J Threatened Taxa, 2011; 3(1): species found in different season. Data were collected 1469-1477. from different sites and different season of target area, [10] Ganvir DR and Khune CJ., (2016) Butterfly diversity of analyzed data and finally prepare a checklist. Butterflies paddy growing area in winter and pre-monsoon are identified with the help of available literature and season (Rabi crop) at Silezari site of Gondia district, experts. After the completion of all findings we decided Maharashtra, India. IRA-International J Applied to publish this work for a future references. Sciences, 2016; 3(1): 62-73. [11] Ganvir DR., Khune CJ and Khaparde KP. Butterfly REFERENCES Diversity in Agroecosystem of Arjuni/Morgaon [1] Thomas JA, Simcox DJ, Wardlaw JC, Elmes, WG, Taluka, Gondia, Maharashtra, India. Int. J. Life. Sci. Hochberg, ME and Clark, RT. Effects of latitude, Scienti, 2017 Res, 3(1): 848-855. altitude and climate on the habitat and conservation [12] Beals M, Gross L and Harrell S. Diversity Indices: of the endangered butterfly Maculinea arion and its Simpson’s D and E. 1999; Myrmica ant host. J Sect conserve, 1998; 2: 39-46. [Online]:http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~gross/bioed/bea [2] Chakravarthy AK, Rajagopal D. and Jagannatha R. lsmodules/simpsonDI.html. Insects as bioindicators of conservation in the [13] Dwari S and Mondal AK. Butterflies diversity of tropics. Zoo’s print J, 1997; 12: 21-25. agricultural fields of Howrah District, West Bengal, [3] Jana S, Pahari PR, Dutta TK and Bhattacharya T. India with special reference to their host plants in Diversity and community structure of aquatic insects agroecosystem. I. J. S. N, 2015; 6 (3): 389–396.

Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Ganvir and Khaparde, 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.4.8

[14] Tiple AD, Khurad AM. Butterfly Species Diversity, [17] Murugesan S and Muthusamy M. Patterns of Habitats and Seasonal Distribution in and Around butterfly biodiversity in three tropical habitats of the Nagpur City, Central India. World J of Zoology, 2009; eastern part of Western Ghats. J of Research in 4(3): 153-162. Biology, 2011; 1(3): 217-222. [15] Kunte KJ. Seasonal patterns in butterfly abundance [18] Patil KG and Shende VA. Butterfly diversity of and species diversity in four tropical habitats in Gorewada International Bio-Park Nagpur, Central northern Western Ghats. J Biosciences, 1997; 22 (5): India. Arthropods, 2014; 3(2): 111-119. 593-603. [19] Kurve P, Shenai D, Joshi A and Pejaver M. Recent [16] Guptha MB, Chalapathi RP and Srinivas RD. A study on butterfly diversity at Jnandweep, V.P.M. preliminary observation on butterflies of campus, Thane, Maharashtra. National Conference Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats on Biodiversity:Status and Challenges in Andhra Pradesh, India. World J of Zoology, 2012; Conservation-‘FAVEO’2013; 116-120. 7(1): 83-89.

Open Access Policy: Authors/Contributors are responsible for originality, contents, correct references, and ethical issues. IJLSSR publishes all articles under Creative Commons Attribution- Non-Commercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode