Butterfly Abundance Research Articles

Assessment of the Diversity and Abundance of Butterfly Fauna in and around Choolanur Peafowl Sanctuary in Palakkad, Kerala, India

This study investigates the diversity and abundance of butterflies in two selected sites, Choolanur (protected area) and Pazhambalakkode (an area close to sanctuary) of Palakkad district of Kerala, India. The study was done only in and around the peafowl sanctuary and Choolanur forest premise and the diversity of butterfly was found to be a little high at Site 1(Choolanur), with Nymphalidae family being most abundant. The number of butterflies from the Papilionidae and Lycaenida family was recorded to be in less numbers as compare to the Nymphalidae. The diversity of butterflies at at Site 2 (Pazhambalakkode) the diversity was almost similar to the diversity of Site 1, which may be due to the immigration of species. The butterflies were sampled by direct search method and photographs were identified with the help of keys and specialists. The species belonging to Nymphalidae family was seen to be high, followed by species of the Lycaenidae family, Pieridae family and the species of the Papilionidae family was recorded to be least. Our results not only confirm the importance of protected sites for protecting biodiversity within a particular area but also highlight their beneficial effects in their surroundings.

Alteration in butterfly community structure along urban–rural gradient: with insights to conservation management

BackgroundEcosystem services rendered by the butterflies are important for the sustenance of community interaction. Butterfly species have also coevolved with the host and nectaring plants. In the adult condition, they mostly rely on nectar, while in the larval condition, they feed on the leaves of their host plants. Butterfly species are sensitive to changes in environmental parameters and are considered excellent indicators of ecosystem health. The study of species diversity and richness indices aids in better ecosystem management. The present study's goal was to determine butterfly diversity in the urban–rural gradient of Purulia district, West Bengal, India, a part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. We aim to complement crucial information on butterfly conservation management in Purulia, West Bengal, India, and other similar geographical areas with the findings of this study.ResultsIt was found that out of 3809 sampled butterflies, the individual contribution of the family Nymphalidae was the highest (51.24%), followed by Lycaenidae (18.40%), Pieridae (17.32%), Papilionidae (9.74%), and Hesperiidae (3.12%). A total of 54 butterfly species were observed in the urban–rural gradient, out of which the urban region contained 49 species, the suburban region had 32 species, and the rural region had 30 species. Significant differences were observed in butterfly abundance for the sites, seasons, and families during the study period. PERMANOVA and ANOSIM for species abundance and species presence-absence data show that all three sites are significantly different. Results Both PCoA and NMDS revealed clear differences among sites (groups) in terms of species abundance and presence-absence data. According to the findings of this study, the urban region has the highest species richness, followed by the suburban and rural regions. We discovered that urban areas have the highest butterfly abundance, followed by suburban and rural areas. Numerous butterfly species prefer the bushes dominated by Lantanacamara in the urban region with the highest species richness. Aside from this invasive weed, the site also contains Tridaxprocumbens, Catharanthusroseus, Synedrellanodiflora, and Ocimumamericanum, which are well known for being butterfly nectaring plants. In the case of the suburban region, members of the Lycaenidae family contributed the highest percentage after Nymphalidae, which was dominated by Tridaxprocumbens and Sphagneticolatrilobata, which was preferred by the members of the Lycaenidae family observed during the survey, this site also contained Ixoracoccinea, Catharanthusroseus, and Lantanacamara. This site, in terms of nectaring plants, remains homogeneous in a rural region.ConclusionsOut of 3809 butterfly individuals, the family Nymphalidae contributed the most, followed by Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Papilionidae, and Hesperiidae. Both species richness and butterfly abundance were highest in urban regions, followed by sub-urban and rural regions. The current study has shown that this particular geographic location can sustain a variety of butterfly species. However, it is important to note that conservation planning is necessary not only for the butterfly species but also for the nectaring plant species that contribute to the diversity of these insects. The conservation of butterfly species can also lead to the achievement of ecosystem services they provide.

Low-intensity urbanisation alters community composition across multiple trophic levels on Lipsi Island, Greece.

Urbanisation has reduced the abundance and diversity of many taxonomic groups, and the effects may be more pronounced on islands, which have a smaller regional species pool to compensate. Green spaces within urban environments may help to safeguard wildlife assemblages, and the associated habitat heterogeneity can even increase species diversity. Here, total abundance and species diversity of butterflies, birds, and vegetation at nine rural and nine urban locations were quantified on Lipsi Island, Greece. Sites were assessed using Pollard walks for butterflies, point-count surveys for birds, and quadrats for vegetation. There was no significant difference in the abundance or species diversity of butterflies or vegetation among rural and urban locations, which could pertain to the low building density within urbanised areas and the minimal extent of urbanisation on the island. However, urban areas hosted a significantly greater abundance, richness, and diversity of birds compared to rural sites. The community composition of butterflies, birds, and vegetation also differed significantly between urban and rural locations, highlighting the impact of urbanisation on species across a broad range of trophic groups. This study contributes to ecological knowledge on the impacts of urbanisation across multiple trophic levels in island ecosystems, with comparisons across a gradient of island size and urbanisation intensity needed in future research.

Diversity, abundance and habitat association of butterflies at govt. Kamla Raja Girls College Campus, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Diversity, abundance and habitat association of butterflies at govt. Kamla Raja Girls College Campus, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Modelling decisions and density dependence in monarch butterflies: A comment on Meehan and Crossley (2023)

Abstract Decisions about which processes to include in a population model can have substantial impact on estimates of population trends and extinction risk. This is particularly important for species of conservation concern, whose conservation status is decided in part on the basis of these models. In their recent paper, Meehan and Crossley (2023) Insect Conservation and Diversity, 16, 566–573 revisit a time series of overwintering monarch butterfly abundances, which previous assessments had characterised as rapidly declining and at risk of extinction. The authors, in contrast, reported no evidence for declines in the past 10 years and characterised extinction risk as low. A primary reason for the difference between these conclusions was that Meehan and Crossley used a more complex model that included a parameter for density dependence. While negative density dependence may play a role in monarch population regulation, there are a variety of unresolved issues with how and if density dependence should be included in models of monarch populations, including widely known issues with separating observation error from density dependence in noisy time series and taxon‐specific issues with fitting models to data surveyed every fourth generation and pooled at continental scales. These issues make the conclusions of Meehan and Crossley about monarch population viability much less robust than implied in their article. They do not provide convincing evidence that density dependence reduces extinction risk in monarch butterflies. Our commentary supports their general conclusion that population viability projections depend on model assumptions, but the ways in which monarch butterfly populations are regulated remains an open question.

Development of insects in newly established grassland over six years: Increased conservation benefits through diverse plant communities

Agri-environmental schemes seek to mitigate the loss of biodiversity by subsidizing the restoration of grassland in Europe. However, little is known about the colonization of newly established grasslands by insects, especially over periods exceeding 1–2 years. Therefore, we investigated the development of species richness, abundance and species assemblages of wild bees, syrphids, butterflies, orthopterans and true bugs in two types of newly established grassland strips in an agricultural landscape in Austria over a six-year time span. We compared currently subsidized plant-species poor grassland strips (SG; Ecological Focus Areas) with newly established grassland strips (NG) that were created with a diverse, regionally adapted seed mixture, to find out whether diverse seed mixtures can ensure lasting improvements in the insect species richness of grassland strips over a 6-year period. We used permanent seminatural grasslands (old grassland OG) as reference habitat. From the first year after establishment, we found no differences in syrphid assemblages between OG and NG. In contrast, true bug assemblages in NG differed significantly from those in OG still five years after establishment. Wild bee, butterfly and orthopteran species composition differences between grassland strips (NG, SG) and permanent grasslands (OG) were decreasing over time. However, we found no evidence of a successional change in insect species assemblages in NG and SG. NG promoted a significantly higher wild bee richness and equivalent syrphid, butterfly, orthoptera and true bug richness compared with OG. Over the study period, NG showed sustained insect diversity, outperforming plant species-poor SG in promoting wild bee, syrphid and true bug richness. Therefore, we suggest that diverse and regional seed mixtures could enhance the effectiveness of grassland restoration for insect conservation and could make re-sowing within the first 6 years after establishment unnecessary.

Traffic intensity and vegetation management affect flower‐visiting insects and their response to resources in road verges

Abstract Road verges can support high densities of flowers and could therefore provide new opportunities for the conservation of flower‐visiting insects. One way of optimizing road verges for vascular plant diversity is to adjust mowing regimes, but to date it is unclear how this affects flower‐visiting insects. Furthermore, for mobile organisms like wild bees and butterflies, there is a risk that the benefit of increased habitat quality in road verges is limited by the proximity to traffic, but this is poorly studied. In a crossed study design, we separated mowing time and frequency (early summer and autumn, or only late summer) from road verge habitat classification (valuable for biodiversity according to transport authority, or regular). We did so along a gradient of traffic intensity, to investigate if a mowing regime designed to enhance plant diversity can also benefit wild bees and butterflies, and if traffic limits the conservation potential of road verges. Road verges that were mown only in late summer had higher flower densities, and there was a positive relationship between flower density and wild bee abundance and species richness. Butterfly abundance and species richness only benefitted from a late summer mowing in valuable but not in regular road verges. Traffic intensity had a substantial negative impact on abundance and species richness of wild bees and butterflies. Higher traffic intensities limited the positive relationship between plant and butterfly species richness that we observed at lower traffic intensities. Increasing width of the road verges buffered negative effects of the traffic on wild bee as well as butterfly abundances, and on wild bee species richness. Synthesis and applications. Road verges can play a valuable role for the conservation of wild bees and butterflies, but there is a need to consider both traffic intensity and resource availability when implementing management strategies. To support wild bee and butterfly diversity, we recommend actions to enhance plant species richness and flower resource availability, and to focus these conservation efforts on roads with low traffic intensity, or on wide road verges.

Diversity and Abundance of Butterfly Species Complex in Two Diverse Habitats of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, India

Butterflies are important bio-indicators that should be protected to conserve the biodiversity and environment. They play an important role in the food chain and are valuable pollinators in the local environment. The present study investigated and compared the butterfly abundance and diversity within two different habitats (i) Undisturbed and (ii) Disturbed, in Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Campus, Jabalpur Madhya Pradesh. A total of 24 butterfly species were recorded during the study from June 2022 to July 2023 using transects with the aid of sweep nets. An overall total of 2537 butterflies were recorded, which spread across 05 families 17 genera and 23 species. The most abundant family of butterflies caught in undisturbed ecosystems was Pieridae 38% followed by Nymphalidae 27%, Lycaenidae 14%, Papilionidae and Hesperiidae 7%. In disturbed ecosystems butterflies were distributed as Pieridae being dominated with 52% followed by Lycaenidae at 22%, Nymphalidae at 16%, Hesperiidae at 7% and Papilionidae at 3%. The undisturbed habitat was more diversified (H’-1.59) in butterfly diversity than the disturbed habitat (H’- 1.20).

Rapid responses of bees and butterflies but not birds to targeted urban road verge habitat enhancements

Abstract Cities provide opportunities for biodiversity conservation through the design of urban greenspaces as wildlife habitat. A significant proportion of urban public land is narrow linear road verges, though their small size and harsh environmental conditions (e.g. high soil temperatures) may limit their ability to support plants and animals. We worked with a municipal government in a highly urbanised area to test whether conversion of standard road verges (e.g. lawn) to predominantly native understorey plants (forbs, grasses and shrubs) selected for their abilities to tolerate harsh growing conditions and provide habitat increased the abundance and richness of bees, butterflies and birds. We used a before‐after‐control‐impact experiment and characterised temporal dynamics of biodiversity responses 1 year prior to planting and 4 years post‐planting. We also tested whether traits known to influence species responses to urbanisation (body size and feeding specialisation) mediated responses to road verge plantings. Bee species richness and abundance increased at experimental plantings in the first post‐planting year and remained stable thereafter despite fluctuations at control sites. Butterfly abundance but not richness increased, and there was no evidence of bird responses to plantings. Larger bee species, which are known to be most negatively impacted by urbanisation, benefited more from the road verge plantings, while there was no effect of feeding specialisation. Bird and butterfly traits did not mediate responses to plantings. Synthesis and applications. Road verges comprise a significant proportion of urban green spaces, and our results suggest that despite their small sizes and harsh environmental conditions they can provide habitat for bees and to a lesser extent butterflies. We demonstrated that habitat value can be rapidly enhanced by converting standard road verges to native understorey plants and that these benefits may be greatest for the bee species most negatively impacted by urbanisation. Modifications such as additional plant species or wider verges may be required for urban road verges to provide habitat for a greater range of taxa including birds and butterflies.

Landscape-wide floral resource deficit enhances the importance of diverse wildflower plantings for pollinators in farmlands

Pollinators are declining rapidly, largely due to land conversion and intensification of agriculture. To mitigate their crisis, low-disturbance habitats, such as sown wildflower plantings, could promote pollinators by restoration of their resources. However, comprehensive knowledge is lacking on how landscape context, spatial configuration and age of wildflower plantings, seasonality and flower composition affect pollinator communities, especially from East-Central Europe. To understand these effects, we established diverse native wildflower plantings within heterogeneous and homogeneous agricultural landscapes, by two spatial configurations: one large field or three smaller strips, in Hungary. We sampled floral resources and wild pollinator insects (wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies), in early and mid-summer, for two years after establishment. Flower resources of the sown plant species increased continuously, and were complemented at high rate by flowering plant species from the soil seed bank, especially in the first year. Both flower abundance and diversity increased the abundance of pollinators, highlighting the important role of using diverse seed mixtures. Wild bee abundance and species richness increased year by year and season by season, while butterfly abundance also demonstrated a yearly increase after establishment. Hoverfly abundance and species richness, however, showed an opposite trend, possibly due to the inter-annual variation. Wild bee and butterfly abundance was higher in the heterogeneous than in the homogeneous landscapes. We did not observe any significant local effects of spatial configuration itself on pollinator populations. Wildflower plantings were particularly attractive for wild bees in flower-poor (homogeneous) landscapes during the flower-poor (mid-summer) period of the year. This can be explained by the increased contrast in flower resources between the wildflower plantings and the surrounding landscape, and highlights the importance of wildflower plantings in such conditions. Our results emphasise that to support pollinators effectively, future wildflower plantings should be maintained for multiple years, aim to maximise floral diversity and ensure continuously available flower resources throughout the entire season. They can be facilitated by i) using diverse seed mixtures of native flowering plants, ii) particularly focusing on plants that bloom during the crucial mid-summer period, iii) allowing the plant species to grow and bloom from the soil seed bank, and iv) using management techniques, which help to extend the flowering season. Further results from the upcoming years and similar long-term and landscape-scale experimental studies are needed to understand all the benefits and ecological processes of diverse native wildflower plantings especially in understudied European regions.

Diversity of bumble bees and butterflies in Minnesota roadsides depends on floral diversity and abundance but not floral native status

Abstract Habitat loss is an important driver in the rapid decline of many insects. The restoration of roadside habitat has been touted as an opportunity to support communities of bumble bees and butterflies, two insect groups of conservation concern. However, it is unclear how current roadside restoration methods translate to pollinator abundance and diversity. Here, we ask how the plant communities of roadsides seeded with native and non‐native seed mixes affect bumble bee and butterfly communities 2–20 years after planting. We found that bumble bee and butterfly abundance and diversity were positively correlated with floral abundance and diversity. However, the pollinator community in plots planted with diverse native seed mixes did not differ from that found in plots seeded with species‐poor non‐native mixes, likely because many forbs in the native seed mixes had poor establishment, and all plots were readily colonised by species that were never planted. While plots with more native flowers did not necessarily support higher pollinator diversity, we did find several native plants that established well in roadsides and supported pollinators, including goldenrods (Solidago spp.), milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Our data suggest that managing a more diverse and abundant floral community will benefit bumble bees and butterflies. Refining the composition of native seed mixes, adding more floral abundance to non‐native mixes and investing in management for native plant communities may increase the habitat value of roadsides for pollinator communities.

Influence of flowering red clover on flower visitation in a sweet corn agroecosystem

Agricultural intensification and the conversion of natural landscapes into annual cropping systems have contributed to declines in pollinator abundance and biodiversity. Increasing the abundance of flowering plants within crop fields is an often-overlooked practice that may be used to help sustain and enhance pollinator populations. In this study, the influence of red clover (Trifolium pratense) used as an interplanted living mulch on pollinator richness and visitation rates was evaluated and compared with monoculture sweet corn habitats. Treatments included sweet corn interplanted with red clover or monoculture with or without cover crop residue. Weekly visual observations of foraging floral visitors revealed that multiple species of bumblebees and butterflies, as well as honeybees frequently visited red clover flowers. Observations of visitors foraging on sweet corn tassels during pollen shed revealed distinct insect communities were attracted by sweet corn and red clover plants. Findings provided evidence that the inclusion of red clover in crop fields can increase the diversity and abundance of bees and butterflies on arable lands by serving as an important food source.

Wildlife-friendly garden practices increase butterfly abundance and species richness in urban and arable landscapes

Insect declines are being reported worldwide and private, residential gardens could provide refugia for these species under increasing land use change. Interest in wildlife-friendly gardening has increased, but many management recommendations lack a scientific evidence-base. We used a large citizen science scheme, the Garden Butterfly Survey (GBS), with data from over 600 gardens across Great Britain (2016–2021) to determine how the surrounding landscape influences the abundance and species richness of butterflies in gardens and whether wildlife-friendly gardening practices, such as having long grass and providing nectar plants, benefit butterflies. First, we show that GBS provides reliable estimates of species abundances by comparing with results from standardised, long-term monitoring data. Garden size and surrounding land use had significant effects on butterfly abundance and richness in gardens, including positive relationships with garden size, woodland and arable farmland and negative relationships with urbanisation. Both the presence and area of long grass in gardens were positively related to higher butterfly richness and abundance, with the latter being driven by butterflies that use grasses as larval host plants. These effects differed depending on the surrounding landscape, such that long grass resulted in higher garden butterfly abundance in landscapes dominated by arable farming, and higher abundance and richness in highly urbanised areas. The presence of flowering ivy (Hedera spp.) in gardens resulted in higher abundance of Celastrina argiolus holly blue which uses ivy as a larval host, and of Vanessa atalanta red admiral and Polygonia c-album comma, which favour it as a nectar source. Our work provides evidence that undertaking simple wildlife-friendly garden practices can be beneficial for attracting butterflies, particularly in heavily modified areas. With over 728,000 ha of gardens in Great Britain, the cumulative effect of leaving areas of lawn uncut and providing nectar and larval host plants could be key for helping biodiversity.

How do management decisions impact butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia?

Abstract In the world's leading palm oil‐producing countries (Indonesia and Malaysia), smallholders make up about 40 per cent of total oil palm plantation area. Management in smallholdings can be highly variable, ranging from intensive monoculture to polyculture systems, especially in the earlier years of cultivation when open canopies allow a variety of understorey crop types to be grown alongside oil palm. Currently, many plantations in the region are mature and due to be replanted, which is likely to have substantial impacts on the ecosystems within them, but studies investigating the impacts of alternative post‐replanting management strategies in smallholder plantations are lacking. We investigated the impacts of replanting and choice of crop management following replanting (growing oil palm as a monoculture or polyculture) on habitat structure and complexity, and on the abundance, richness and composition of butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. We also assessed the direct effects of habitat structure and complexity on butterfly assemblages. Butterflies are likely to be a valuable indicator group for monitoring the impacts of management practices on biodiversity as butterfly species also show a range of sensitivities to habitat disturbance, with some being vulnerable to change, but others being common in plantations. They are also a functionally important group that pollinate wild plants, are prey for larger species and are common in tropical systems. Across 27 plantations, we recorded 1227 butterflies from 5 families, 46 genera and 56 species. Habitat structure and complexity differed between management decisions (mature monoculture, immature monoculture, immature polyculture), although many environmental parameters overlapped. We found no significant differences in species richness, density and assemblage composition of butterflies between management decisions. However, changes in local environmental conditions, such as an increase in the coverage of understorey vegetation, increased the abundance of butterflies. Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that replanting oil palm and choice of mono or polyculture have relatively few effects on butterflies, but management for specific features in plantations could benefit butterfly assemblages.

Butterfly Abundance and Diversity in Different Habitat Types in the Usangu Area, Ruaha National Park

Insects are key fauna species that respond quickly to disturbances and environmental changes. They act as good indicators of habitat, community, or ecosystem quality. Among the great diversity of insects, butterflies stand as ideal bio-indicators for ecosystem function and are sensitive to changes in habitat composition and structure. This study was carried out to examine the diversity and abundance of butterflies across the restored habitats in Usangu area part of Ruaha National Park (RUNAPA) from May 2022 to June 2022 using the walking transect method supplemented by sweep nets and butterfly baited traps. A total of six transects of 1 km in length were laid in the four main habitat types selected in Usangu area including grassland, Miombo woodland, Vachellia/Commiphora woodland, and riverine forest. Searches were conducted in the morning and evening. The Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats exhibited relatively higher species diversity, richness, evenness, abundance, and a higher number of habitat-restricted species, while Vachellia/Commiphora woodland and grassland habitats recorded the lowest diversity and abundance as well as the lowest number of habitat-restricted species. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant followed by Pieridae while Papilionidae and Hesperiidae were scarce in the study area. This study clearly shows the importance of Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats in sustaining rich butterfly diversity and abundance in Usangu area. The two habitats must be effectively managed and conserved for sustaining ecological health and integrity of Usangu area. The Usangu area’s Miombo woodland and riverine forest habitats have immense potential for butterfly tourism and they can offer an excellent opportunity to promote conservation efforts and raise public awareness. However, it is crucial to monitor these habitats closely as any environmental changes that may occur could harm the butterfly diversity and abundance in the area. Preserving this wilderness to maintain a thriving butterfly population is of utmost importance.

A comparison of butterfly communities in irrigated and non-irrigated Mediterranean farmlands

Irrigation is considered a form of agricultural intensification and is of significant importance in arid and semi-arid regions, such as those in the Mediterranean basin. This region differs substantially from temperate ones, in terms of climate, land-use policies and types of agricultural systems. Therefore, how biodiversity is affected by agricultural intensification may also differ substantially from countries in north-western Europe. We investigated the effect of irrigation on butterfly diversity and abundance at two different spatial scales in an agricultural region in northern Cyprus, an area representative of typical lowland agricultural practices of the Eastern Mediterranean. We investigated how local field-scale management (irrigated vs rain-fed) and the proportion of irrigated land at a larger scale of 0.25 km2 affected the abundance and diversity of butterflies and herbaceous plant species. Butterflies and herbaceous plants were surveyed in field boundaries adjacent to agricultural fields located in paired plots that had contrasting levels of irrigation. Butterflies in the field boundaries along agricultural fields were strongly positively affected by irrigation in the adjacent fields both in terms of abundance and species diversity, whereas the effect of irrigation at the larger scale of the 0.25-km2 plot was less prominent. Species composition of butterflies and plants did not correlate. However, plant abundance and alpha diversity of the vegetation in the field boundaries correlated with both abundance and alpha diversity of the butterflies when the abundance of plants was relatively low, in particular, when grasses were omitted from the data set. Crop species associated with irrigated fields contributed to the observed patterns. Comparing the results of this study with those reported for temperate regions in northwestern Europe reveals that the effectiveness of management schemes on biodiversity depend on biogeographical region, highlighting the risk of making broad assumption on the effectiveness of management strategies on biodiversity.

Seasonal Dynamics of Butterfly Communities in Different Habitats of Ranchi, Jharkhand

This research investigates the seasonal dynamics of butterfly communities across various habitats in the Ranchi district of Jharkhand. Butterflies, being sensitive indicators of environmental changes, offer valuable insights into the health and biodiversity of ecosystems. The study aimed to understand the habitat preferences, seasonal distribution patterns, and factors influencing butterfly diversity in different landscapes within the Ranchi region. Butterflies play a crucial role in ecosystems as pollinators and are considered bioindicators of environmental health. The diversity and distribution of butterflies are influenced by various factors, including habitat type, climate, and vegetation. Ranchi, located in the state of Jharkhand, offers a diverse range of habitats, from urban green spaces to forested areas and wetlands. This research seeks to contribute to the understanding of how these diverse habitats influence the seasonal dynamics of butterfly communities. The primary objective of this study was to assess the seasonal variations in butterfly communities across different habitats in Ranchi. Specific goals included identifying key habitat preferences of butterflies, documenting seasonal changes in species composition, and exploring potential factors influencing butterfly diversity. By achieving these objectives, the research aimed to provide valuable information for conservation and management efforts in the region. Field surveys were conducted over a period of 12 months, covering distinct seasons in Ranchi. Sampling sites were selected to represent various habitats, including urban parks, forested areas, wetlands, and rural landscapes. Standard butterfly survey techniques, such as transect walks and netting, were employed to collect data on species composition and abundance. Additionally, environmental variables, including temperature, humidity, and vegetation cover, were recorded to analyze their potential impact on butterfly communities. The study revealed significant seasonal variations in butterfly diversity across different habitats. Urban green spaces exhibited higher butterfly abundance during the warmer months, with a dominance of common urban-adapted species. In contrast, forested areas showcased a diverse community throughout the year, with distinct species assemblages in each season. Wetland habitats exhibited specific butterfly preferences during the monsoon season, highlighting the importance of these ecosystems for certain species. Environmental variables played a crucial role in shaping butterfly communities. Temperature and vegetation cover were identified as key factors influencing species richness, while humidity levels correlated with the presence of specific moisture-dependent species. The observed results suggest that habitat heterogeneity and microclimatic conditions contribute to the varied patterns of butterfly diversity in Ranchi. This research provides valuable insights into the seasonal dynamics of butterfly communities in Ranchi's diverse habitats. The findings contribute to the development of effective conservation strategies by identifying key areas for preservation and restoration. Moreover, understanding the factors influencing butterfly diversity enhances our ability to predict and mitigate the impacts of environmental changes on these important pollinators. The outcomes of this study emphasize the importance of maintaining diverse habitats for sustaining butterfly populations and, by extension, the overall health of ecosystems in the Ranchi region.

Impacts of Human Activities and Season on Species Diversity and Abundance of Butterflies in Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve and Surrounding Farmlands, Tanzania

Impacts of Human Activities and Season on Species Diversity and Abundance of Butterflies in Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve and Surrounding Farmlands, Tanzania

Insecticides, more than herbicides, land use, and climate, are associated with declines in butterfly species richness and abundance in the American Midwest.

Mounting evidence shows overall insect abundances are in decline globally. Habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides have all been implicated, but their relative effects have never been evaluated in a comprehensive large-scale study. We harmonized 17 years of land use, climate, multiple classes of pesticides, and butterfly survey data across 81 counties in five states in the US Midwest. We find community-wide declines in total butterfly abundance and species richness to be most strongly associated with insecticides in general, and for butterfly species richness the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds in particular. This included the abundance of the migratory monarch (Danaus plexippus), whose decline is the focus of intensive debate and public concern. Insect declines cannot be understood without comprehensive data on all putative drivers, and the 2015 cessation of neonicotinoid data releases in the US will impede future research.

Winter Rains Support Butterfly Diversity, but Summer Monsoon Rainfall Drives Post-Monsoon Butterfly Abundance in the Arid Southwest of the US.

Butterfly populations are declining worldwide, reflecting our current global biodiversity crisis. Because butterflies are a popular and accurate indicator of insect populations, these declines reflect an even more widespread threat to insects and the food webs upon which they rely. As small ectotherms, insects have a narrow range of habitable conditions; hence, extreme fluctuations and shifts caused by climate change may increase insects' risk of extinction. We evaluated trends of butterfly richness and abundance and their relationship with relevant climate variables in Arizona, U.S.A., using the past 40 years of community science data. We focused on precipitation and temperature as they are known to be influential for insect survival, particularly in arid areas like southwestern U.S.A. We found that preceding winter precipitation is a driver of both spring and summer/fall butterfly richness and spring butterfly abundance. In contrast, summer/fall butterfly abundance was driven by summer monsoon precipitations. The statistically significant declines over the 40-year period were summer/fall butterfly abundance and spring butterfly richness. When controlling for the other variables in the model, there was an average annual 1.81% decline in summer/fall season butterfly abundance and an average annual decline of 2.13 species in the spring season. As climate change continues to negatively impact winter precipitation patterns in this arid region, we anticipate the loss of butterfly species in this region and must consider individual butterfly species trends and additional management and conservation needs.