Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2014; 2 (5): 218-224

ISSN 2320-7078 Checklist of of Chuadanga District, JEZS 2014; 2 (5): 218-224 © 2014 JEZS Received: 19-08-2014

Accepted: 09-09-2014 Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Junior Wildlife Researcher, Abstract Monitoring and Conservation of A study was conducted in Chuadanga district during November 2011 to April 2014 to investigate the Wildlife in Kaptai National Park diversity. A total of 49 species of butterflies belonging to six families were recorded for the first of Bangladesh Project. Belgachi time. The family was found to be dominant with 17 species followed by (10 Eidgahpara, Chuadanga, Bangladesh. Department of species), Hesperiidae (10 species), Pieridae (06 species), Papilionidae (05 species) and (01 zoology, Savar, Dhaka, species).

Bangladesh. Keywords: Butterfly, Chuadanga, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae, Riodinidae, Hesperiidae

1. Introduction Chuadanga district is an important habitat for butterflies with many fruit gardens, agricultural fields, homestead vegetation, flower garden, weeds, wild herbs and shrubs contain huge number of varieties include apang (Achyranthes aspera), khejur (Phoenix sylvestris), helencha (Alternanthera philoxeroides), kata note (Amaranthus sp.), shoti (Curcuma zedoaria), durba (Cynodon dactylon), shon (Imperata cylindrica), dhani ghas (Panicum repens), dhan (

sativa), akondo (Calotropis procera), porgacha (Dendrophthoe sp.), dadmordon (Glycosmis pentaphylla), lantan (Lantana camara), lojjaboti (Mimosa pudica), reri (Ricinus communis); bel (Aegle marmelos), kamranga (Averrhoa carambola), bans (Bambusa arundinacea), shimul (Bombax ceiba), tal (Borassus flabellifer), shonalu (), lebu (Citrus aurantifolia), batabi lebu (Citrus grandis), narkel (Cocos nucifera), am (), kul (Ziziphus mauritiana), is warmful (Aristolochia indica), bonalu (Dioscorea bulbifera) whose leaves act as larval food for different species of butterflies [1, 2]. Butterflies of Chuadanga district have not

been documented. The objective of this study is to identify butterflies and to contribute the butterfly checklist of Bangladesh with established a permanent database. Butterflies are natural pollinators and potentially useful ecological indicators of urbanization and forest health because they are ready surveyed, and they are sensitive to changes in microclimate, temperature, solar radiation, and the availability of host plants for ovipositing and larval development [3, 4, 5].

Increased urban features, including roads, buildings and moved lawns, correspond with [6, 7, 8, 9] decreases in butterfly species richness, diversity and abundance . Urbanization also is associated with habitat degradation including decreased plant species diversity, reduced water quality, and increased air and soil pollutions [10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. The reductions in amount and quality of natural habitat associate with urban development negatively affect nature biodiversity [15].

Studies on butterfly fauna are very few in Bangladesh which is not completely documented. [16] Since 1947 very little research on butterflies has been conducted . Khan (2001) documented 49 species from Tangail [17]. According to Larsen (2004) only 311 butterfly species had been recorded from Bangladesh [18]. Furthermore, Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Correspondence: mentioned 148 butterflies species [19]. In addition there are some regional works have been done Tahsinur Rahman Shihan [20] Junior Wildlife Researcher, on butterfly checklist such as Islam (2011) documented 158 species from Savar, Dhaka . Monitoring and Conservation of Chowdhury and Hossain (2013) was recorded 225 butterfly species with pictorial evidence from Wildlife in Kaptai National Park all over the Bangladesh [21]. Hossain (2014) documented 37 species from Sundarban [22]. Neogi, of Bangladesh Project. Belgachi Khan and Shahadat (2014) have added 9 more new species to the checklist which takes the total Eidgahpara, Chuadanga, number of butterflies to 320 IUCN checklists of butterflies [16, 23, 32]. Bangladesh. Department of zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Fig 1: Map of Chuadanga district in red box.

2. Materials and Methods checklist provides 49 species reported earlier from other places The study was conducted in Chuadanga during November 2011 of Bangladesh. On the basis of direct observation we found that to April 2014. The district is situated in western part of of 49 species of which 07 rare, 19 uncommon, 19 common and Bangladesh. It lies between 23035ʹ13.67ʺ N latitude and 04 very common. Out of this total species 7 species namely 88049ʹ56.59ʺ E longitudes (Fig. 1). This area is covered with Pachliopta aristolochiae, Delias eucharis, Eurema hecabe, cultivated land, wetland and homestead vegetation include Danaus chrysippus, Danaus genutia, and trees, herbs, shrubs, grasses and climbers which support Catochrysops strabo, were found collecting nectar in the flower butterflies species for their larval food, nectar feeding and of wild herbs and shrubs, 7 species namely polymnestor, resting. The climate is monosonic. The mean monthly Papilio polytes, Danaus chrysippus, almana, Junonia temperature was the highest 35 0C in May and the lowest 80C in lemonias, Rathinda amor and Tagiades japetus were recorded January. The highest rainfall was recorded in May (330 mm) in the flower garden, 11 species namely Papilio clytia, and the lowest in December (05 mm). The average humidity Catopsilia pomona, Catopsilia pyranthe, Cepora nerissa, varied from 95.0% to 55.0%. The habitats were documented Danaus chrysippus, Hypolimnas bolina, Junonia atlites, randomly by visual observations, walks, opportunistic emolus, Parnara guttatus, Pelopidas subochracea and observations and butterfly species were also photo-documented Pelopidas agna were recorded from the agricultural field, most by Nikon Coolpix P100, Canon DSLR 1100D and 55-250 mm 23 species namely Papilio demoleus, Catopsilia pyranthe, lens during the study period. Species identity, and Leptosia nina, Acraea violae, Ariadne ariadne, Ariadne nomenclature were confirmed with the help of the books by merione, Euploea core, Melanitis leda, Moduza procris, Evans (1932), Wynter-Blyth (1957), Marshall and de Niceville jumbah, Phalantha phalantha, baldus, Castalius (1883), Bingham(1905), Kunte (2000), Kehimkar (2008), Singh rosimon, Chilades lajus, Everes lacturnus, Pseudozizeeria (2010) and Kunte et al (2012) [24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36]. maha, Rapala manea, Zizula hylax, Matapa aria, Suastus Butterflies observed were categorized into four groups (Very gremius, Telicota sp., Udaspes folus and echerius were common >10, Common 6-10, Uncommon <3-5, Rare <2) based recorded in homestead vegetation, 3 species namely Euthalia on their relative number during the period. I sampled butterflies aconthea, Rathinda amor and Ypthima baldus found both in the in several possible habitats such as flower gardens, fruit fruit garden and homestead vegetation. gardens, beside the railway bush, roadside bush, agricultural The present study is the first study of this type in the area. It is fields, homestead vegetation and open land etc. Each species suggested and recommended that the area under study should was noted and photographed instantly [29, 30]. be continuously monitored to observe any change in the diversity of butterflies because the changes in the diversity can 3. Results and Discussion only be observed through continuous monitoring and A total of 49 species representing 40 genera from 06 families comparing the data of every year. Butterfly diversity in the recorded from the Chuadanga District. Among these, family study area was found to be very low. This is due to the natural Nymphalidae is represented by 17 species and 13 genera formed climate. This is rather unsupportive of great butterfly diversity. to be dominant during study period. The family Lycaenidae and Thus, the lack of butterfly diversity is not entirely due to the Hesperiidae is represented 10 species followed by Pieridae (06 climate but is more directly a result of low diversity of flora species), Papilionidae (05 species) and Riodinidae (01) (Table- upon which to support greater butterfly diversity [31]. Butterflies 1). are one of most significant groups of with their impact In the case of Nymphalidae Junonia almana Linnaeus was more on the ecosystem as bio-indicators, pollinators and as prey for abundant than others. Family Riodinidae Abisara echerius many living organisms from birds to other like Moore was found only once in the Chuadanga District. The spiders. Public attentiveness is requisite to conserve these

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butterflies and their habitats. The study reflects the baseline these elegant insects with their richness in different rural and information on these beautiful groups. Therefore, an extensive urban vegetation. The present results have thrown light on the survey needs to be carried out to explore the rich diversity of butterfly diversity in the southeast region of Bangladesh.

Table 1: Checklist of butterflies of Chuadanga district, Bangladesh.

SL Common Name Scientific Name Relative Abundance Family: Papilionidae 1 Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricius Common 2 Common Mime Papilio clytia Linnaeus Uncommon 3 Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus Linnaeus Common 4 Blue Mormon Papilio polymnestor Cramer Uncommon 5 Common Mormon Papilio polytes Cramer Very Common Family Pieridae 6 Common Gull Cepora nerissa Fabricius Uncommon 7 Common Emigrant Catopsilia pomona Fabricius Common 8 Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia pyranthe Linnaeus Uncommon 9 Common Jezebel Delias eucharis Drury Common 10 Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe Linnaeus Common 11 Psyche Leptosia nina Fabricius Common Family Nymphalidae 12 Tawny Coster Acraea violae Fabricius Rare 13 Angled Castor Ariadne ariadne Fruhstorfer Uncommon 14 Common Castor Ariadne merione Cramer Very Common 15 Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus Common 16 Striped Tiger Danaus genutia Cramer Common 17 Common Crow Euploea core Cramer Uncommon 18 Common Baron Euthalia aconthea Fruhstorfer Common 19 Great Eggfly Hypolimnas bolina Linnaeus Uncommon 20 Peacock Pansy Junonia almana Linnaeus Very Common 21 Grey Pansy Junonia atlites Linnaeus Common 22 Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias Linnaeus Uncommon 23 Common Evening Brown Melanitis leda Cramer Common 24 Commander Moduza procris Cramer Rare 25 Common Bushbrown Mycalesis perseus Fabricius Common 26 Chestnut-streaked Sailer Neptis jumbah Moore Uncommon 27 Common Leopard Phalantha phalantha Drury Uncommon 28 Common Five-ring Ypthima baldus Fabricius Common Family Lycaenidae 29 Common Ciliated Blue Anthene emolus Godart Uncommon 30 Common Pierrot Castalius rosimon Fabricius Common 31 Forget me not Catochrysops strabo Fabricius Uncommon 32 Lime Blue Chilades lajus Stoll Common 33 Indian Cupid Everest laturnus Tytler Rare 34 Pale Grass Blue Pseudozizeeria maha Kollar Very Common 35 Slate Flash Rapala manea Hewitson Rare 36 Monkey Puzzle Rathinda amor Fabricius Uncommon 37 Common Silverline Spindasis vulcanus Fabricius Common 38 Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Fabricius Uncommon Family Hesperiidae 39 Moore’s Ace porus Mabille Rare 40 Chestnut Bob Iambrix salsala Moore Common 41 Common Redeye Matapa aria Moore Rare 42 Straight Swift Parnara guttata Moore Uncommon 43 Large Branded Swift Pelopidas subochracea Moore Uncommon 44 Bengal Swift Pelopidas agna Moore Uncommon 45 Palm Bob Suastus gremius Fabricius Uncommon 46 Common Snow Flat Tagiades japetus Moore Common 47 Palm Dart Telicota sp. Uncommon 48 Grass Demon Udaspes folus Cramer Common Family Riodinidae 49 Plum Judy Abisara echerius Moore Rare

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1 2 3

3 5 2 5 5

4 6 5

5 2

7 8 9

10 11 12

0

13 14 15

16 17 18

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19 20 21

22 23 24

25 26 27

28 29 30

31 32 33

34 35 36

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37 38 39

40 41 42

43 44 45

46 47 48

4949

Fig 2: Images of the butterflies found in Chuadanga District (see Table 1 for corresponding names)

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