Lepidopteran diversity in Agri-Horticultural ecosystem Journal of Biopesticides 3(1 Special Issue) 001 - 010 (2010) 1 Lepidopteran fauna of Agri-Horticultural ecosystem in Karaikal region

D. Adiroubane* and P. Kuppammal

ABSTRACT The lepidopteran fauna in the Karaikal region was recorded from December 2003-November 2004. The lepidopterans collected were categorized into 36 butterflies and 95 moths. The family diversity index H’, was higher during the rainy periods (August-November) for both butterflies and moths. The diversity index a was lower during February-April in case of butterflies and in respect of moths, there was higher diversification during June (South West Monsoon). The evenness index (E) was more or less similar in case of butterfly families, which indicated less evenness of the families, whereas in case of moth families, more evenness was found during November, October, September, August and December with minimum number of families.

Key words: Agri-Horti ecosystem, lepidopteran fauna, diversity, crop pest INTRODUCTION MATERIAL S AND METHODS The tropical regions are known for their richness of species Karaikal is one among the four regions in the Union diversity (Mathew and Rahamathulla, 1993). The role of Territory of Puducherry, located 140 km away from insects in the maintenance of essential life support Puducherry under the tail end of Cauvery deltaic region. systems in natural habitats is well recognized (Wells et Karaikal is situated between 10°49’ to 11°01’ N latitude al., 1983). Our knowledge on the insect fauna of Indian and 78°43’ to 79°52’ E longitude at an altitude of 4 m from region is based on the studies of pioneer workers like mean sea level. This region is bounded by the Hampson (1891), Lefroy (1909) and Mathew and Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu on three sides and Rahamathulla (1995). At present about 80 per cent of the the eastern side by the Bay of Bengal. This region consists world’s known animals are insects, and lepidopterans of six communes viz., Karaikal, Thirunallar, Nedungadu, accounts for 112,000 species, which include both Kottucherry, Neravy and Thirumalairayanpattinam. The butterflies and moths (Hutchins, 1972; Gunathilagaraj total area under this region is 161 sq.km. Karaikal region et al., 1998; Nair, 2001 and 2002). Lepidopteran insects comes under the eleventh agro climatic zone of India and are of diversified nature and they occur both as crop pests is classified as PC 2-coastal deltaic alluvial plain zone. and pollinators. Lefroy (1909) had enumerated 10,000 species of lepidopterans of which 8,000 species were moths Study details and 1,500 species were butterflies described in Hampson’s A survey for lepidopterans were made from December 2003 (1894) paper of fauna of India. to November 2004 in Karaikal region in all cropped Biodiversity is a function of the number of any taxon ecosystem, fallow lands etc. During the survey, collection present, the evenness with which the taxons are was made by using sweep nets, larval collection and distributed among these taxons (species evenness or rearing and also by visual observation from the cropped family evenness) and the interaction component of areas at weekly intervals and daily collection from light richness and evenness i.e., heterogeneity (diversity) traps and those attracted to the lights of residential (Ludwig and Reynolds, 1988). Higher biodiversity confers buildings. The day flying lepidopterans viz., butterflies stability (Levin and Wilson, 1980). Hence understanding and some sphingids like Macroglossum sp. which visit the functional role of lepidopteran insects in agri- flowers were collected using sweep nets in various horticultural ecosystem in this region will have a great habitats (Rao et al., 2004). The Robinson light trap model relevance in assessing the status of lepidopteran pests with 100 watts sodium vapour lamp was set up in the farm and their habitat. Therefore a study was taken up to of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and account the lepidoteran fauna of agri-horticultural Research Institute, Karaikal which was operated overnight ecosystem of Karaikal region for documentation. from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am. Those lepidopterans attracted to © JBiopest. 84 D. Adiroubane and P. Kuppammal 2 light trap were collected in the next day morning (Mathew Butterflies recorded from Karaikal region and Rahamathulla, 1995).The adult lepidopteran Out of 131 lepidopteran species recorded, 36 species representatives of different species attracted to the lights belong to butterflies (Rhopalocera) comprising eight of residing area were also collected using sweep nets (Kirti families such as Acraeidae, Danaidae, Hesperiidae, and Sodhi, 2003). , , Papilionidae, and Satyridae. The family Acraeidae constituted a single The larva of lepidopterans was collected from various crop species, and the family Danaidae and Papilionidae with plants, weeds and they were reared on their same host four species, Hesperiidae and Pieridae with five species, plants to emerge as adults and to record their possible Lycaenidae with eight species, Nymphalidae with seven hosts (Nair, 2002). Traps with different available species and family Satyridae with two species. The species pheromone lures @12 per ha (viz., Spodolure and Helilure) collected are furnished in Table 1. were installed in the farms to collect the attracted moths. Visual observations were made during the survey Moths recorded from Karaikal region especially for diurnal lepidopterans during day hours A total of 95 species belonging to Heterocera was recorded (Nair, 2002 and Baskaran and Solaiappan, 2002). The out of 131 species of lepidopterans from Karaikal region. collected specimens were killed using ethyl acetate They belong to 17 families viz., (20 species), vapours and also in killing jar with cyanide (Kirti and (30 species), Arctiidae (6 species), Lymantridae Sodhi, 2003). The dead specimens were set neatly and (8 species), (2 species), preserved in insect boxes made of wood. (7 species), Hypsidae (3 species) and Geometridae The butterflies collected were identified and described (4 species). The families , , following the guidelines of Gunathilagaraj et al. (1998) , Agaristidae, Phycitidae, , and Gay et al. (1992) and moths were identified following , Syntomidae / Amatidae, the guidelines of Lefroy (1909) to the lowest possible recorded with single species each (Table 2). There were taxon. The Diversity indices and Evenness index were four species unidentified and two species viz., Clina worked out following Simpson (1949), Shannon-Weiner basalis, Bomolocha vestita not grouped under any family (1949) and Pielou (1977) methodology. due to the overlapping characters. The collected lepidopterans were categorized according Statistical analysis to their ecosystem and results show that 19.08 per cent The diversity indices and evenness index for the families population was from agricultural ecosystem, 12.98 per cent were calculated using the Shannon Weiner, Simpson was from horticultural ecosystem and 9.92 per cent was diversity indices, evenness index given by Pielou (1975) from agricultural cum Horticultural Ecosystem. However, and Anne Magurran (1988). a major share (45.04%) was belonging to non categorized group. Most of the lepidopterans, especially the moths, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION are crop pests in their larval stage. The food plants of Karaikal enjoys a tropical climate and receives an average moths and butterflies larvae are furnished in tables 1 and rainfall of 1388.27 mm. The beneficial monsoon is North- 2. None of the moth collected was recorded as a pollinator. East monsoon, which accounts for 900.5 mm rainfall, However, a few species under butterfly group are involved received during October-December. The South-West in pollination but their role is not of any economic monsoon contributes 347.4 mm during June-September. importance. The moths, in their adult stage, are almost Winter rain (January-February) accounts for 66.5 mm while positively phototrophic and hence the species that were summer rain (March-May) accounts for 68.4 mm of rainfall. collected in light traps and light sources are also indicated The normal cropping system was rice (Kuruvai / Kharif )- in tables 1 and 2. Pheromones were also used to study the rice (late Samba / Rabi)-rice fallow crops (pulses / cotton / occurrence of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera gingelly). Other vegetable crops like bhendi, brinjal, raddish, litura. tomato and greens are usually sown during August (Adipattam) and January (Thaipattam) in this region. Fruit Diversity tree crops like mango, sapota, annona, guava, amla, papaya, The families Noctuidae (30) and Pyralidae (20) followed coconut and tamarind are being maintained in this region. by Lymantridae (8) constituted maximum number of species The climate of Karaikal region is humid throughout the year in case of moths and maximum number of species were except December and January, which are the coolest months. recorded by Lycaenids (8) followed by Nymphalids (7) in The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in this case of butterflies. Similar results with maximum number region are 33.38° C and 24.63° C respectively. of species with respect to moths belonging to the family Lepidopteran diversity in Agri-Horticultural ecosystem 3 , , spp spp and Tridax procumbens Nerium oleander Calotropisgigantea Crotalaria and Pillepesara Crotalaria Loranthusdendrophthoe Cassia siamea, C. hybrida March, May-November -November -November Pillepesara November November November Lemon PansyPeacock PansyYellow Pansy December, February-March, May- February -March, June-October May-November Brown November Rice (Linn.) Plain Tiger December-November (Fabr.) Common Rose December, March-November (Fabr.) Common Pierrot Lycaenidae (8) May-July, September-November (Fabr.)* Small Branded Swift December-November Rice (Cr.) CommonBanded Awl July-October (Gmelin) Blue Tiger December-March, May-November (Brem.)* Rice December-November Rice (Cramer) Common Castor February - November Castor (Moore) Dark Palm Dart Hesperiidae (5) July-November (Cantlie)* Indian Cupid December, February- (Moore) Common Grass Yellow Pieridae (5) December-November Daincha, Kolingi Agathi, (Fabr.) Common Gull March-April, July (Linn.) Danaid Eggfly December, June, August, October- (Linn.) Common Mormon Papilionidae (4) December, March-May, July- (Fabr.) Crimson Tip May-June (Fabr.) Indian Skipper April-July, September-October (Swinhoe)*(Fabr.) Pale Grass Blue Anar Butterfly September-November Guava (Linn.) Mottled Emigrant December-November (Fabr.)* Gram Blue December, February Pods of Pulses (Linn.) Pea Blue December, Feb-Nov. Pods of Pulses (Fabr.) Zebra Blue (Drury)*Evening Common Satyridae (2) December-March, June- (Cr.) Striped Tiger December-November (Cramer) Common Crow Danaidae (4) December-February, April, June (Moore)* Bush Tamil Brown February-March, June-November (Linn.) Crimson Rose December, February- November (Drury) Common Jezebel December-January, March-November (Cramer) Indigo Flash Lycaenidae September-November Guava (Cramer)* Chocolate Pansy December, March, June, November (Fabr.) Tawny coster Acraeidae (1) December-November (Linn.) Blue Pansy Nymphalidae (7) March-November (Linn.)Lime (Linn.)Lime Butterfly Papilionidae December-November Butterfly fauna recorded from Karaikal region during December 2003-November 2004 and their period of activity with host plants Zizeeria maha ossa Syntarucus plinius Virachola isocrates Rapala varuna Lampides boeticus Teliota ancilla bambusae Spialia galba galba Hasora chromus chromus Pelopidas mathias mathias Parnara guttatus guttatus Castalius rosimon rosimon Everes lacturnus syntala Table 1. Scientific NameAcraea violae Euploea core core Danaus chrysippus chrysippus D. genutiagenutia Common NameTirumala linniace exoticus Family Period of Activity Food PLANT Euchrysops cnejus P. hiertaP. hierta Papiliopolytes polytes Precis orithya iphitaP. iphita Ariadne merione merione Hypolimnas misippus lemoniasP. lemonias* almanaP. almana Mycaelsis subdita Figures in parentheses denote number of species * Attracted to light trap and light source Colotisdanae danae Catopsilia pyranthe Melanitis leda leda Cepora nerissa nerissa Delias eucharis P. demoleusP. Pachliopta hector aristolochiae P. aristolochiae Eurema hecabe simulata D. Adiroubane and P. Kuppammal 4 ) A. Abutilon Bhendi capsules S. tarvumS. Tabernaemontana Sesbania spp, Pods of cowpeaand blackgram, Pillepesara. melon viridis A.viridis, Gaillardia pulchella flower) (Blanket indicum November Rice November September-October October-November webber January, May-October Amaranth,Saranai, fruitborer February-May, August-November Brinjal, Tobacco cutworm Noctuidae(30) caterpillar Gram December-April,August- Cowpea,Castor, January-April,June, Cotton,Sunflower, . (Fabr.)* Amaranthusleaf (Faith.)* Cotton/Bhendi December-January,June (Guenee)*Leaffolder Rice (20) Pyralidae December-February,August- . (Duponchel)* Sesameleaf webber March-May,September-November Sesamum (D.)*borer stem potato Sweet August (Wlk.)*borer stem yellow Rice December-November Rice (Gn.)*Caseworm Rice January Rice (Gr.)*roller Leaf TMC August-November December-January, (Hubn.)* *Borer Stem October-November (Guenee)* Brinjalshootand (Fabr.)*roller JasmineLeaf December-January TMC( (B.)*rollerleaf Pulse August-September December-January, Cowpea leaves (Bradley)* Rice (Geyer.)* Spotted pod borer December-February Flowerredgram,budsof (Fabr.) (Fabr.) CottonLeaf roller February-November December, Cotton,Bhendi, Hibiscus (Wlk.)* MoringaLeaf webber August-November December-January, Moringa (Zell.)* Caseworm Pyralidae December-March,June Rice (Fabr.)* Spottedbollworm February-June, Cotton,Bhendi, (Guen.)* semilooperJuly December, *Caterpillar Pumpkin August-Novemberwater Pumpkin, cucumber, Mothsrecorded in Karaikalbetween December 2003 and November 2004 and theirperiod activityof withhost plants Diaphania (=Eudioptes indicus) (Saunders) Omphisaanastomosalis Unidentified1* Unidentified2* Unidentified3* Unidentified4* Spodoptera litura December-February December October-November Marucatestulalis Antigastra calalaunalis Nymphuladepunctalis fluctuosalisN. recurvalis (=Spolodea) Hymenia Glyphodesglauculalis Noorda blitealis Scirpophaga incertulas Scirpophaga innotata Leucinodes orbonalis Table 2. Table NameScientific Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Marasmia patnalis Sylepta derogata Glyphodesunionalis Name Common Family Period ofActivity Food Plant Helicoverpaarmigera Anticarsia irrotata Acontia (=Xanthodes) graellsi A.intersepta Eariasvittella Lepidopteran diversity in Agri-Horticultural ecosystem 5 sp, sp Echinochloa Cyperus August April,June-November Labalab Horsegram, November December-January, September-November December-January, caterpillar November caterpillar December-January,November Sunhemp caterpillar August (Walker)folder Brinjalleaf January-April,August-November Brinjal (W.)* Pulseflower webber Noctuidae January,October-November Flower buds of pulses (Dr.)* September-November (G.)* Dainchasemilooper May-November *March-April, December-January, * August (Cram.)* December,October-November (L.)* Sunhemphairy (F.)*July-November December, (L.)*caterpillar Hairy December-January, July-August (F.)* July (L.)* Castorsemilooper October-November (F.)*hairyyellow Rice (8) Lymantridae December,August-May, Rice, (Walker)* Pinkstem borer December,February-September Sorghum Ragi, (Fabr.) Cottonsemilooper September-November (Linn.)* Fruitsucking moths December-Januaryand November (D&S)* Cutworm January-March,July (Fabr.)* Woolly bear Arctiidae(6) December-January,March- bean, Cluster Banana, * August-September * July-November (Linn.)* Castorsemilooper NoctuidaeSeptember-November December, Castor,Rose, (Gmelin) December-January (F.) Cottonsemilooper December,June-July Cotton,Bhendi * Safflower shoot (Cramer)* February-March,June, October- *September-November December, sp.*sp.* December,October-November December-January (Cramer)* Porthesia Euproctis C. interruptusC. Rajendra irregularis Rhodogastria astreas Psalis pennatula Achaeajanata EuphorbiaAchaea sp. Othreismaterna fullonicaO. Sesamiainferens Anomisflava Antoba(=Eublemma) olivacea Eublemmahemirrhoda Agrotissegetum Perigea capensis (=Prospalta capensis) A. Parallelia algira Trigonodeshyppasia Grammodesstolida Tarache nitidula Zalissa venosa Plusia orichalcea Pericymaglaucinans Eupithecia annulata Remigia undata Unidentified*5 Unidentified6* Unidentified7* Unidentified8* Pericallia ricini Creatonotus gangis Utethesiapulchella hirta Noctuidae October-November October-November O. ancillaO. D. Adiroubane and P. Kuppammal 6 (weed) spp spp Thespesia purpurea Boerhavia diffusa Crotolaria Crotolaria October-November August-September August-November November Amatidae(1) June-November Wasp moth Syntomidae/ (Crotolaria) HypsidaeJuly-September December, *September-November December-January, * Greenlooper November

(Linn.)* Pulsehorn wormJune-November December-January, Cowpea,Pillepesara (Rag.) Chickoomoth Phycitidae(1) July-August Sapota(New flush) * Nunasphingid Sphingidae(7) April-November December-January, Nuna * June-November * August-November, May-July (Guen.)* Brownlooper May-November December-January, (W.) (F.)* Sebaniastem borer Cossidae(1) July-September Agathi stems (W.)* Lymantridae October-November,September (Walker)*caterpillar hairy Eupterotidae (2) Moringa December,May-November Moringa, (Wlk.)* Lobstercaterpillar (1) Notodontidae August-September * Unidentified December-January,March-August (Linn.)*moth hawk Bird Humming March-April,July-September, (W.)* Redgramplumemoth (1) Pterophoridae December-January,July-November Red gram pods (Linn.)* Grapevinesphingid December (Cr.)* Agaristidae(1) November June-September, December, * Pungamsphingid December-November (Fabr.)*(4) Geometridae June, August-November (C.)*caterpillars Hairy (Westwood)*hornworm Sesamum April-November December-January, (Kollar)* December-February,May-June, (Fabr.)*moth Sphinx September-November (Cr.)*defoliator Teak Hyblaeidae(1) November June-September, December, Teak (Hb.)* Moon moth Saturniidae(1) September-NovemberBrinjal Sesamum, * Unidentified July-August (F.)*moth Fig Hypsidae (3)July-November December, * July-October (Blanch.)*caterpillar Hairy October-November, December, sp* Stemborer (1) Crambidae December-February,August, Chilo Clina basalis Bomolocha vestita Unidentified10* Unidentified11* Unidentified12* Unidentified13* Figures in parentheses denote numberof species,*Attracted to light trap and light source,.Attracted to pheromone trap August-September September August-September July-August Exelastis atomosa Macroglossum particolor convoluvuli (=Agrius) Herse Hippotioncelerio E.undata Gnamptoloma aventiaria Syntomis (=Amata) thoracica Laelia exclamationis (=L. adalia) Chaerotricha decussata xanthorrhoea P. Unidentifed9* Eupterotemollifera A.syringa Hyblaeapuera Aegoceravenulia Nephopteryx eugraphella Azygophlepsscalaris Stauropus alternus Macariafasciata December-February,May-September Thalassodus quadraria Semiothisa pervolgata Notolophus posticus Theretragnoma Ambulyx pagana Cephonodeshylax Acherontia styx Actias selene Hypsaficus Arginacribraria Lepidopteran diversity in Agri-Horticultural ecosystem 7 Noctuidae and Pyralidae was reported by Mathew and The chikoo moth, N. eugraphella is a specific pest of Rahamathulla (1995) from Silent Valley National park, sapota and A. scalaris (cossid) is a pest of S. grandiflora, Kerala and maximum number of butterfly species collected which were also reported by Gardner (1945). The other belong to the family Nymphalidae (Mathew and species recorded were pest of trees and weeds. Rahamathulla, 1993) from Silent Valley National Park, Kerala. Nymphalidae followed by Lycaenidae reported by Food plants of Moths Bhalodia et al. (2002a and 2002b) from Vansda National Pyralidae Park and Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat C. medinalis and M. patnalis larvae were recorded on rice which was also confirmed by the report of Rao et al. Crop pests (1969) and Mathew and Menon (1984) from Kerala. The Among the 131 species recorded, eight species of leaf roller S. derogata was recorded on cotton, bhendi butterflies were pest on agricultural crops viz., three and hibiscus, which was also reported on bhendi and balsa Hesperiids and one Satyrid on rice, one Pierid on green trees (Mathew and Menon, 1984) and cotton and manure and one Nymphalid on oilseed crop (castor), two Malvaceae plants (Sevastopulo, 1946a) which confirms Lycaenids on pulses. Four species were recorded as pests the report of the present study i.e., larvae are feeding on of horticulture crop viz., two Papilionids on citrus and Hibiscus leaves. G. glauculalis larvae were found feeding curry leaf and two Lycaenids on guava, whereas the others on the leaves of Tabernae montanae which was confirmed were found to feed on weed plants and others were as its food plant from the report of Mathew and Menon collected by sweep nets. The Pyralids recorded from the (1984) from Kerala. Similarly the food plant of N. blitealis study area have been reported to infest field crops. Among was confirmed as moringa by the report of Mathew and which six species were observed to be the pest of rice, Menon (1984). S. incertulas, a major pest of rice is in one each on cotton, sesame, pulse, amaranth, moringa, agreement with the reports of Mathew and Menon (1984). jasmine, cucurbits, sweet potato, brinjal and Tabernae- L. orbonalis was recorded in S. melongena and S. tarvum montanae, which were also reported to occur in Kerala as while Lall (1964) and Das and Patnaik (1970) reported it on observed by Mathew and Menon (1984). S. melongena as the host. A. catalaunalis and Among the 30 Noctuids recorded, many of them were H. recurvalis recorded in gingelly and amaranth found to infest more than a single crop i.e., seven species respectively which are in agreement with the report of common to both cotton and bhendi. S. inferens found to Mathew and Menon (1984). The weed plants Saranai and damage rice and other millets, which was also reported by A. viridis were found to be the hosts of H. recurvalis Pathak (1968) and Ragini et al. (2000). Two species viz., from the present study. E. indicus was found to feed on A. irrotata and E. hemirrhoda occurred on pulse, two pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, whereas cucumber was species viz., A. janata and P. algira found to damage reported as food plant by Mathew and Menon (1984) castor was also reported by Sevastopulo (1940b) and one (Table 1 and 2). species A. olivacea infested brinjal, also reported by Sevastopulo (1946b) and P. glaucinans on green manure. Noctuidae Similar findings were also reported by Sevastopulo S. litura was found feeding on cowpea, castor, amaranth, (1940b). Among the Arctiids, C. gangis is a pest of rice, A. viridis and bhendi. This is in confirmation with the which is confirmed by the record made by Rao et al. (1969) report of Sevastopulo (1956a) who described this insect and U. pulchella on sunhemp confirmed by the report of as polyphagus. E. vittella recorded on host plant like Trehan (1957). Among the Lymantrids, P. pennatula was cotton, bhendi and Abutilon indicum which is in a pest of rice also reported by Rao et al. (1969). Laelia agreement with the reports of Sevastopulo (1940b) and exclamationis and P. xanthorrhoea also rarely damage Cherian and Kylasam (1946) who reported the same genera rice crop and the same was reported by Rao et al. (1969). viz., E. insulana and E. fabia on the above hosts. E. mollifera, the moringa hairy caterpillar is a defoliating A. irrotata was recorded on cowpea, A. janata larvae pest, the Pterophorid E. atomosa is a pest of redgram and was found feeding on castor, rose and E. hirta which is H. convoluuvli is a Sphingid pest of pulse, is in in agreement with Sevastopulo (1956 b) who reported it accordance with the earlier findings of Sevastopulo (1942). on castor, Pruthi and Mani (1945) on Dudhi E. hirta, A. styx is a pest of brinjal and sesame. This pest has Banyan and Ber (Tables 1 and 2). already been reported by Sevastopulo (1946a) on sesame H. armigera was found on bolls of cotton, bhendi fruits, and pulses. The Hypsids, A. syringa and A. cribraria are heads of sunflower and an ornamental flower G. pulchella. pests of crotolaria, also reported by Sevastopulo (1978). S. inferens a polyphagous Noctuid borer found to infest D. Adiroubane and P. Kuppammal 8 millets and also rice. This is in agreement with the report of From the above result, it is inferred that the occurrence of Pathak (1968) who stated it as polyphagous, whereas Ragini species of different families were highly diversified during et al. (2000) recorded it on rice. A. flava recorded on bhendi the month of August, followed by September, November, and cotton, whereas it was reported on malvaceous plant February , followed by October, June . The diversification viz., Kasthuri bhendi by Rajashe karagouda et al. (1984). A. of families had a similar trend during the months of olivacea a specific pest of brinjal recorded in this region December and July. The families showed least was in agreement with the report of Sevastopulo(1946b) diversification during the month of February, followed by (Table 2). P. glaucinans recorded on Sesbania spp whereas April, May, March which indicated that the evenness of Sevastopulo (1940b) reported it on a leguminous tree and species in the families. by Trehan (1957) on daincha. The diversity index for the months December 2003- November 2004 were 1.73, 1.56, 1.37, 1.32, 1.35, 1.51, 1.71, Lepidopterans attracted to light 1.79, 1.89, 1.82, 1.71 and 1.73. Among which the extent of Among the butterflies two Satyrids viz., M. subdita and diversification was high during August (1.89) followed M. leda leda. two Nymphalids viz., P. lemonias lemonias, by September (1.82), July (1.79). Same extent of P. iphita iphita, two Hesperiids P. mathias mathias, diversification was registered during December 2003 and P. guttatus guttatus and three Lycaenids viz., Z. maha November 2004. Least diversification was registered ossa, E. lacturnus syntala, E. cnejus were observed when during March (1.32), followed by February and January. they were attracted to lights (Table 1 and 2).This in There was a decreasing trend from December to March, accordance with Shull and Nadkerny (1964) who reported after which the diversified nature of the families were on five species of Satyrids and one Lycaenid attracted to the the increasing trend up to August, followed by a mercury vapour lamp light at Surat Dangs, Gujarat. Nair decreasing trend till October. The overall index value of (2001) has reported that E. cnejus was attracted to light at “H’ for the year was 1.89 ± 0.057 for the butterfly families Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. and 1.62 ± 0.053 in case of the diversity of moth families Among the moths 86 species were attracted to light, 18 which indicated the greater diversification of the butterfly were Pyralids, 27 were Noctuids, eight were Lymantrids, families. six were Arctiids, two were Eupteroptids, one species of each belonging to Pterophoridae, Saturniidae, Cossidae, Simpson’s index (a) Notodontidae, Crambidae, four were Geometrids, three The Simpson’s index (a) of diversity in respect of Hypsids, six Sphingids and four were unidentified species butterfly family was low during the month of January, (10,11,12,13) and two others were not grouped under any which indicated the least diversification among the family viz., B. vestita and C. basalis whereas Sevastopulo families. During May the Simpson’s index (a) was 0.130 (1935) reported 91 species of Pyralids from Calcutta that followed by October, June and July. During the months were attracted to light and 15 moths were attracted to of November and December the diversified nature of the light at Gopalpur by Sevastopulo (1940a), whereas butterfly families recorded and the same trend (0.116) Mathew and Rahamathulla (1995) recorded 318 species was observed during March, September and April. The belonging to the nineteen families from Silent Valley high degree of diversification was noticed during August National Park, Kerala and Mathew and Menon (1984) and February. reported that 108 species out of 155 species of Pyralid were attracted to light. The moth families were with registered diversity index, wherein there was a decreasing trend of the index values Shannon-Weiner index from February to June and a constant increase in the The diversity values of H’ during December 2003 was 1.95 values of diversity from July to October with a decline for butterfly families and which was lowered to 1.28 during during August month. The highest diversification was January 2004. Then an increased trend was recorded for registered during June. The diversification of families the month of February (1.98), which then showed a was low during February with an increase in decreasing trend till May (1.94). Then there was a sudden diversification from February to June. During December, increase during June with 1.96 and it showed a slight January and September diversification were higher than decrease of 0.01 during July. There was an increase during that compared to that of March and April. The overall the month of August with 1.99. During September, October, index of ‘a’ for the study period was 0.13 ± 0.009 for February the diversity indices were 1.98, 1.96 and 1.98 butterfly families and 0.29 ± 0.004 for moth families. respectively. The value of index is lower in case of butterfly families. Lepidopteran diversity in Agri-Horticultural ecosystem 9 Evenness index (E) Baskaran, S. and Solaiappan, A. 2002. Butterflies of The overall evenness (E) was 0.95 ± 0.004 and 0.72 ± Madurai City, Tamil Nadu. Zoos’ Print, 17(10): 913- 0.018 for butterfly and moth families. The less value 914. registered by moth families is close to zero than the Bhalodia, K., Bhuva, V. J., Dave, S. M. and Soni, V. C. 2002a. butterfly families which indicates higher degree of Butterflies of Vansda National Park, Gujarat. Zoos’ evenness in case of families of the Heterocerans. Print, 17(10): 903-904. The evenness index (E) of 0.96 was registered during the Bhalodia, K., Bhuva, V. J., Dave, S. M. and Soni, V. C. 2002b. months of April, May and August, which indicated that Butterflies of Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat. there was no evenness in the butterfly families. The Zoos’ Print, 17(10): 905-906. evenness of 0.95 was registered during February, Cherian, M. C. and Kylasam, M. S. 1946. Studies on the September and November and 0.94 during December, June, spotted bollworms of cotton- Earias fabia S. and July and October. The evenness was more during the E. insulana (B.). Journal of Bombay Natural History month of January (0.92) and March (0.93). There was an Society, 46(4): 658-666. increasing trend of evenness value from March to May Das, M. S. and Patnaik, B. H. 1970. A new host of the and declined during June and then an increase from June Brinjal shoot and fruit borer Leucinodes orbonalis to August. This indicated that the evenness of the families (Guen.) and its Biology.Journal of Bombay Natural was on a decreasing trend from March to May and more History Society, 67(3): 601-603. evenness during June and decrease of evenness from Gardner, J. C. M. 1945. Immature stages of Indian June to August. From September till October there was an (Cossidae: Indarbelidae). Journal of increasing nature of evenness. Bombay Natural History Society, 45(3): 390-395. Gay, T., Kehimhar, I. D. and Punetha, J. C. 1992. Common The evenness of the moth families had a decreasing trend butterflies of India. Oxford University Press. 67 PP. from December to April Evenness during January, February, Gunathilagaraj, K., Perumal, T. N. A., Jayaram, K. and March were 0.71, 0.76, 0.82 respectively. Low degree of Ganesh Kumar, M. 1998. Some South Indian Butter evenness was observed during April. There was a flies. Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association. decreasing trend of evenness value from April to November, Mytec Process Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore. 290 PP. which indicated that evenness was less during April, and Hampson, G. F. 1891. Ilustartions of typical specimens of increasing trend of evenness of families up to November. Lepidoptera Hetrocera in the collection of British The degree of evenness (E) of the moth families was high Museum. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural for the month of November. The evenness index (E) for History), London. Vol. 8. 144 PP. May, June, July, August, September, October were 0.78, Hampson, G. F. 1894. The Fauna of British India, Moths 2: 0.74, 0.68, 0.67, 0.66, and 0.65 respectively. The overall index 570. of evenness was 0.95 ± 0.004 and 0.72 ± 0.020 for the Hutchins, R. E. 1972. Insects. Prentice-Hall International, butterfly and moth families respectively. This indicated the Inc., Englewood., 324 PP. evenness of the occurrence of moth families was more even Khan, M. Q. 1946. Life history and binomics of castor than that of the butterfly families. semiloopers in Hyderabad (Deccan). Indian Journal of The Evenness index (E) of the families did not tend Entomology, 8: 111-115. towards zero during any of the month, which indicated Kirti, J. S. and Sodhi, J. S. 2003. Inventory of tiger moths of that there was no even occurrence of families. In case of Sikkim (Arctiinae: Arctiidae: Lepidoptera). Zoos’ family evenness of butterflies it was more or less similar Print, 18(7): 1143-1146. during all the months ranging between 0.92-0.96, whereas Lall, B. S. 1964. Vegetable Pests. Entomology in India. Pub. in case of the moths, it ranged between 0.64-0.84. The The Entomological Society of India. 182-211. least family evenness was observed during November, Lefroy, H. M. 1909. Indian Insect Life. Thacker and Co., since a maximum number of families of moths were Greed Lane, London, 516 PP. observed during the month of November, minimum number Levin, R. and Wilson, M. 1980. Ecological theory and pest of families during the month of April. On comparing the management. Annual Review of Entomology, 11: 287- evenness butterfly families exhibited less evenness than 309. the moth families. Ludwig, J. A. and Reynolds, J. F. 1988. Statistical Ecology. New York, Wiley and Sons publication, 337PP. REFERENCES Mathew, G. and Menon, M. G. R. 1984. The Pyralid fauna Anne Magurran, 1988. Ecological diversity and its (Lepidoptera: : Pyralidina) of Kerala (India). measurement. Fundy National Park, Alma. Journal of Entomological Research, 8(1): 5-13. D. Adiroubane and P. Kuppammal 10 Mathew, G. and Rahamathulla, V. K. 1993. Studies on the Sevastopulo, D. G. 1940b. On the food plants of Indian butterflies of Silent Valley National Park. Entomon, 18(3 Agaristidae and Noctuidae (Heterocera). 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