World Journal of Zoology 9 (1): 46-51, 2014 ISSN 1817-3098 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjz.2014.9.1.8351

Butterflies of Pillavakkal Dam of Giant Grizzled Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur India

P. Kumar, S. Ramarajan and A.G. Murugesan

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Science, Alwarkurichi-642 127 Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: The giant grizzled squirrel wildlife sanctuary (Western Ghats) is one of the wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, located 485 square kilometres, it is bordered on southwest by the Periyar Tiger reserves and south of Palghat gap. The detailed survey of butterfly was conducted during January 2013 to December 2013. The main goal of the study is to determine the presence of butterflies. A total of 59 species with 41 genera of butterflies were recorded under 5 families. The family Nymphalidae and Pieridae were found dominant with 23 species and 12 species followed by Lycaenidae 10 species, Papilionidae 5 species and 4 species from the family Hesperiidae. The number of genera was the highest in Nymphalidae (13) followed by Pieridae (10), Lycaenidae (10), Papilionidae (4) and Hesperiidae (4). The species dominant score of butterflies were recorded 24 species are very common and their dominant index showed 40.68%, 17 species are common (28.81%), 12 species are uncommon (20.34%) and 6 species rare (10.17%). Of the 59 species of butterflies, seven scheduled species were seen in the study area under wildlife protection act1972.

Key words: Butterfly Fauna Sanctuary Wild Life Protection Conservation

INTRODUCTION plants [12]. Many species of butterflies are considered as indicators of community or habitat health [13]. Butterflies India encompasses about 2.7% of total area of the as pollinators, Indicators and are appreciated for aesthetic land and one of the richest countries in the world in terms value [14]. Butterflies are ideal for ecological studies of of biodiversity. It has 17 biodiversity countries of the landscapes [15]. Butterfly serve as important plant world more than 92,000 species of have been pollinators and help to pollinate plant crops and their recorded [1]. The number of Indian butterflies amount to diversity indirectly reflects plant diversity [16] Western one fifth of the world butterfly species [2]. India harbours Ghats is recognised as one of the most diversified areas approximately 1501 species of butterflies of which 285 containing a wide variety of butterfly species [17]. A total species are found in Southern India [3]. Butterflies are of 322 species are reported from Western Ghats [18]. among the most fascinating and the most noticeable Western Ghats is recoded for rich species of butterfly and colourful insects [4]. Lepidoptera is the second diversity [19]. Butterfly fauna in southern parts of the largest order after coleopteran [5]. Among the lower Indian peninsular is very rich and diverse compared to invertebrates, butterflies are probably the best studied other parts of the peninsular due to habitat availability group in Western Ghats [6]. Biological diversity is now [15]. increasingly recognized as the vital parameters to assess The scientific records of the butterflies of Western global and local environmental changes and sustainability Ghats dates back to 18th century Linnaeus, Fabricius and of developmental activities [7]. Butterflies are good Cramer [20]. The earlier work in butterfly studies dates indicators of environmental changes as they are back to 19th century [21]. Hence this study is essential in sensitive to habitat degradation and climate changes conservation and management of the Western Ghats. compare to other invertebrate taxa [8-11]. Butterflies Abundance of butterfly diversity has altered the habitat provide important ecological services for crops and wild association in heterogeneous landscapes [22]. The main

Corresponding Author: P. Kumar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Sri Paramakalyani Centre of Excellence in Environmental Science, Alwarkurichi-642 127, India.

46 World J. Zool., 9 (1): 46-51, 2014 aim of this study was to collect information on the current rainfall of the area during the study area was 32°C and status of butterflies in Pillavakkal dam of Giant Grizzled 811mm respectively. Squirrel wildlife Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur, Tamilnadu. The work presented here is based on the presumption that Dominance Index: The dominance of each genera and preparation of checklist of butterflies. The most exciting species in a locality was determined by calculating the elements of insect diversity bring about a lot of values dominance index using the following formula: addition to the potential of this sanctuary as an ecosystems destination. 100 Relative abundance = n1 ×------MATERIALS AND METHODS N

The butterfly was surveyed during the period of RESULTS AND DISCUSSION January 2013 to December 2013. Pollard walking method was followed for observing butterflies [23]. Butterflies A total of 59 species of butterflies belonging to five were observed during sunny days without heavy rain. families were recorded. The family Nymphalidae and They were identified in the field using field guides by Pieridae were found dominant with 23 species and [24,25]. Counted while walking along the selected transect 13 species respectively, followed by Lycaenidae route of 1 Km, in the selected location during the morning (10 species) Papilionidae (5 species) and 4 species from hours between 0800 and 1200 h, which is a peak time for the family Hesperiidae. Total of 41 General species butterfly activity and all the transects surveyed were showed, Nymphalidae were dominant 13 genera followed segments of existing footpaths. All the butterflies were by Pieridae and Lycaenidae (10 genera), Papilionidae and encountered at a radial distance of 5 meter from the Hesperiidae (4 genera) each. The similar hierarchy observer. Adult butterflies were collected by sweeping patterns have also been reported from Trishna Wildlife net and preserved. Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Sanctuary Tripura, Northeast India [26]. [27] Reported that Papilionidae were identified in the species level in field 145 species, 62 species are newly recorded. 24 species are itself and other two families (Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae) coming under WPA, 1972. Seventy five species of are small size and colour variation are similar, butterflies were observed, Nymphalidae are the dominant were brought to laboratory and identified. in species level and Pieridae are dominant in family level [28]. Tiple [29] reported that 66 species belonging to 49 Study Area: The Pillavakkal or Periyar dam encompasses genera and five families. Low abundance was recorded in vast area inhabited Giant Grizzled Squirrel wildlife Hesperiidae. The same kind of low species richness was Sanctuary, Srivilliputtur is located near Western Ghats of also recorded in 18 and 22. [18, 22]. In Bondla Wildlife Virudhunagar District. The study area is located at Sanctuary of Goa, 91 species of butterflies belonging to 66 geographical area of 09. 47.005’N and 077. 31.937’E. genera, 12 sub families and five families [30]. Shamsudeen The area surrounding the dam sites have been landscaped and Mathew [31] reported that butterflies recorded in into beautiful gardens. The sanctuary was established in Shendurny Wildlife Sanctuary, showed five 1988 to protect the Near Threatened Grizzled Giant Squirrel families with Nymphalidae and Papilionidae containing (Ratufa macroura) accommodated an area of 485.2 Km2 . maximum number of species followed by Pieridae and The animals present in the area are spotted deer, Satyridae. A total of 300 butterflies are reported in barking deer, sambar, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri langur, Southern Western Ghats [4]. Twenty four species of Lion tailed macaque, slender loris, sloth beer and flying butterflies with morphological feature, habitat range larval squirrel. The sanctuary is continues to Periyar Tiger and adult food, month of abundance and duration of flight Reserves on southwest side and the Megamalai Reserve were observed in Western Ghats of tiger reserves of Forest on the North-Western. The Pillavakkal dam KMTR [19]. Total of 50 species of butterflies recoded in positioned between Megamalai Reserve forest and Seshachalan biosphere reserves, of Andra Shenbagathope Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary. The dam is Pradesh. Nymphalidae were the dominant with 20 species foothills of Western Ghats about 35 Km northwest of followed by lycaenidae [32]. Srivilliputtur, Tamilnadu. The area receives good rainfall during North-East Monsoon. The mean temperature and

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Table 1: List of butterfly fauna in Pillavakkal Dam during June 2013-December 2013 S. No Family Zoological Name Common Name Status 1 Nymphalidae Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) Plain Tiger VC 2 ,, Danaus genutia (Cramer,1779) Striped Tiger C 3 ,, Ariadne merione (Cramer,1777) Common Caster C 4 ,, Ariadne ariadne (Linnaeus 1763) Angled Castor UC 5 ,, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758) Tawny Caster VC 6 ,, Neptis hylas (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Sailor C 7 ,, Phalanta phalantha (Drury,1773) Common Leopard C 8 ,, Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758) Great Egg Fly UC 9 ,, Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus,1764) Danaid Egg Fly UC 10 ,, Junonia lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758) Lemon Pansy VC 11 ,, Junonia iphita (Cramer,1779) Chocolate Pansy VC 12 ,, Junonia hierta (Fabricius, 1798) Yellow Pansy C 13 ,, Junonia almana (Linnaeus, 1758) Peacock Pansy UC 14 ,, Junonia orithya (Linnaeus,1758) Blue Pansy UC 15 Euthalia aconthea (Hewison, 1874) Common Baron R 16 ,, Euthalia nais (Forrstar,1771) Baronet C 17 ,, Euploea core (Cramer,1780) Common Indian Crow VC 18 ,, Tirumala septentrionis (Butler, 1874) Dark Blue Tiger VC 19 ,, Tirumala limniace (Cramer,1775) Blue Tiger VC 20 ,, Melanitis leda (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Evening Brown UN 21 ,, Mycalesis perseus (Fabricius, 1775) Common Bush Brown C 22 ,, Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus, 1758) Dark Brand Bush Brown UC 23 ,, Ypthima ceylonica (Hewitson, 1865) White Four Ring VC 24 Pieridae Colotis danae (Fabricius,1775) Crimson Tip UC 25 ,, Colotis etrida (Boistuval, 1836) Small Orange Tip UC 26 ,, Ixias marianne (Cramer, 1779) White Orange Tip R 27 ,, Ixias pyrene (Linnaeus, 1764) Yellow Orange Tip C 28 ,, Hebomoia glaucippe (Linnaeus, 1758) Great Orange Tip C 29 ,, Belenois aurota (Fabricius,1793) Pioneer VC 30 ,, Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Grass Yellow VC 31 ,, Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius,1775) Common Emigrant VC 32 ,, Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus, 1758) Mottled Emigrant VC 33 ,, Delias eucharis (Drury,1773) Common Jezebel C 34 ,, Cepora nerissa (Fabricius, 1775) Common Gull C 35 ,, Leptosia nina (Fabricius,1793) Psyche VC 36 ,, Pareonia valeria (Cramer, 1776) Common Wanderer C 37 Lycaenidae Castalius rosimon ( Fabricius, 1775) Common Pierrot UC 38 ,, Discolampa ethion (Fabricius, 1775) Banded Blue Pierrot UC 39 ,, Spindasis vulcanus (Fabricius, 1775) Common Silver Line R 40 ,, Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius,1798) Gram Blue VC 41 ,, Jamides celeno (Grammer, 1775) Common Cerulin VC 42 ,, Freyeria trochylus (Freyer, 1845) Grass Jewel VC 43 ,, Leptotes plinius (Fabricius, 1793) Zebra Blue C 44 ,, Zizina otis (Fabricius, 1787) Lesser Grass Blue VC 45 ,, Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) Tiny Grass Blue VC 46 ,, Chilades parrhasius (Fabricius, 1793) Indian Cupid VC 47 Papilionidae Troides minos (Cramer, 1779) Southern Bird Wing VC 48 ,, Papilio polymnestor (Cramer,1775) Blue Mormon VC 49 ,, Papilio polytes (Linnaeus, 1758) Common Mormon VC 50 ,, Papilio demoleus (Linnaeus, 1758) Lime Butterflies C 51 ,, Graphium sarpendon (Linnaeus, 1958) Common Bluebottle VC 52 ,, Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus 1758) Tailed Jay C 53 ,, Atrophaneura aristolochiae (Linnaeus,1758) Common Rose C 54 ,, Atrophaneura hector (Linnaeus, 1758) Crimson Rose VC 55 Papilio buddha (Fabricius, 1792) Common Banded Peacock R 56 Hesperiidae Borbo cinnara (Wallace, 1866) Rice Swift C 57 ,, Sarangesa purendra (Moore, 1882) Spotted Small Flat UC 57 ,, Spialia galba (Fabricius, 1793) Indian Skipper R 59 ,, Suastus gremius (Fabricius, 1798) Indian Palm Bob R UC-Un Common; VC-Very Common; C-Common and R-Rare

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Table 2: Species and general dominance index of butterflies in Pillavakal dam of Giant Squirrel Sanctuary Dominance Index (%) ------Family No. of Species Individuals No. of General Individuals Nymphalidae 23 (38.95%) 13 (31.71%) Pieridae 13 (23.03%) 10 (24.39%) Lycaenidae 10 (16.95%) 10 (24.39%) Papilionidae 9 (15.25%) 4 (9.76%) Hesperiidae 4 (6.78%) 4 (9.76%) Total 59 (100%) 41(100%)

Table 3: Status of butterfly species recorded in the study area S.No Family Zoological Name Common Name WPA 1972 1 Nymphalidae Hypolimnas misippus Danaid Egg Fly Sch I and II 2 ,, Euploea core Common Indian Crow Sch IV 3 ,, Cepora nerissa Common Gull Sch II 4 Lycaenidae Castalius rosimon Common Pierrot Sch I 5 ,, Euchrysops cnejus Gram Blue Sch II 6 Papilionidae Troides minos Southern Bird Wing Sch I 7 ,, Atrophaneura hector Crimson Rose Sch I Schedule I; Schedule II; Schedule I and II and Schedule IV

score value of abundance status of butterflies showed, 24 species were recorded as very common and their dominant index showed 40.68%, followed by common 17 species (28.81%), uncommon 12 species (20.34%) and rare 6 species (10.1) which are in the Table 1. The species dominant index of butterfly showed Nymphalidae was dominant family accounting for (38.95%) followed by Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Papilionidae and Hesperiidae 23.03%, 16.95%, 15.25% and 6.78% respectively. The General dominant index showed Nymphalidae (31.71%) followed by Pieridae and lycaenidae (24.39%), Papilionidae and Hesperiidae (9.76%) Fig. 1: Family wise observation of butterflies in the study given in Table 2 and Fig 1 and 2. Chandra et al. [33] area reported that 38 species, representing 8 families showed 11 specimens are common, 13 species are very common, 14 species are rare in Pench Tiger Reserves of Madhya Pradesh, India. The biosphere reserves of Dehang and Debang Eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh observed the family Nymphalide was found dominant with 28 genera and 41 species followed by Papilionidae 9 genera and 22 species, Lycaenidae 14 genera and 20 species and Peridae with 10 genera and 16 species [34]. Among the 59 species of butterflies recorded 7 species come under the protection category of wildlife protection act 1972 are shown in Table 3. Among them, Castalius rosimo, Troides minos and Atrophaneura Fig. 2: General wise observation of butterflies in the hector came under schedule I of the act. The species study area recorded with come under schedule II of the wildlife protection act 1972 Cepora nerissa and Total observed species were grouped into four Euchrysops cnejus. The species recorded which came categories on the basis of number of sighting in the field under scheduled of wildlife protection act were and graded based on the observation score. Based on the Euploea core come under schedule 1 and II amended

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2002. Nine species of butterflies is protected by law and 6. Arun, P.R., 1999. Seasonality and abundance of are listed in wildlife protection act 1972 under Schedule I, insects with special reference to butterflies Schedule II and Schedule II [35]. Eight endemic species (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in a moist deciduous were recorded in the study area and six species are listed forest of Siruvani, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in the wildlife protection act 1972 [36]. Five of the Tamilnadu, Ph.D Thesis, Bharathiar Univ., recorded species come under the wildlife protection act Coimbatore. 1972 [37]. 7. Malagrino, G.G., M.M. Lagunas and A.O. Rubio, 2008. Environmental impact reduction through CONCLUSION ecological planning at Bahia Magdalena, Mexico. J. Environ. Biol., 29: 79-82. Some species has shown adaptation to the food 8. Kunte, K., 2008. The wildlife protection act and plants and egg laying habitats phenomenon, many others conservation prioritization of butterflies of western have been pushed to extinction or near extinction. ghats, southern eastern India. Curr. Sci., 94: 729-735. Such impacts are directly or indirectly affect the crop 9. Rakosy, L. and T. Schmitt, 2011. Are butterflies and pollination leads to reduce the yields. The knowledge of moths suitable ecological indicator systems for lepidopteron faunal diversity and distribution in habitats restoration measures of semi-natural calcareous is not even and still scanty from different parts of India. grassland habitats?. Ecological Indicators, In this study, detailed inventory was carried out to 11: 1040-1045. document the butterfly species diversity during January 10. Tdkaeskey, M., 1985. The butterfly garden. 2013-December 2013. The Harvard Common Press. Bonton, Massachasetts. 11. Kremen, C., 1992. Assessing the indicator properties ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of species assemblages for natural areas monitoring. Ecological Applications, 2: 203-217. We thank Professors of Environmental Sciences 12. Davis, J.D., S.D. Hendrix, D.M. Debinski and Department for enabling us to undertake this study. C.J. Hemsley, 2008. Butterfly, bee and for community We greatly thank to Dr. S. Prabakaran, Scientist, composition and cross taxon in congruence in Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, tallgrass prairie fragments. J. Insect Conserv., Chennai for identification of butterflies. Thanks to provide 15: 107-121. facilities of dam authorities and his staff are gratefully 13. Devenport, T.R.B., 2002. Endemic butterflies of the acknowledged. Albertine Rift-An annotated checklist. The wildlife conservation Society. Mbeya, Tanzania. REFERENCES 14. Chakaravarthy, A.K., D. Rajagopal and R. Jaganntha, 1997. Insects as a bio indicators of conservation in 1. Venkataraman, K., A. Chattopadhyay and the tropics. Zoo’s Print J., 12: 21-25. K.A. Subramanian, 2013. Endemic animals of India 15. Arun, PR., 2008. Seasonality of swallowtail butterflies (Vertebrates). Published by the Director, communities (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) of Siruvani Zoological Survey of India, pp: 1-135. forest, Western Ghats, Southern India. In the 2. Kunte, K., 2006. India-A lifescape, butterflies of Proceedings of the 2008 Wonderful Worlds of Peninsular India (University Press) India Private Ltd. Insects, pp: 66-71. Hyderabad, India, pp: 254. 16. Chaudhary, N., Y.S. Saharawat and V. Sivaran, 2013. 3. Haribal, M., 1992. The butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya Conservation agriculture: An open to enhance and their Natural History. Nataraj Publishers, pollinators and sustainability. World J. of Agric. Sci., Dehradun, pp: 217. 9: 210-213. 4. Gaonkar, H., 1996. Butterflies of western ghats, India, 17. Pai, I.K. and M. Priya, 2001. Butterfly diversity of including : Biodiversity assessment of a Goa, Entomon, 26: 350-352. threatened mountain system, Centre the Natural 18. Kunte, K., 2006. Butterflies of Peninsular India History Museum, London, pp: 18. University Press, Hydrabad, India, pp: 254. 5. Holloway, J.D., J.D. Bradley and D.J. Carter, 1992. 19. Ambrose, D.P. and D.S. Raj, 2005. Butterflies of The guide if insects of importance to man Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamilnadu. (Lepitoptera). pp: 1-21. Zoo’s Print J., 20: 2100-2107.

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