Butterfly Diversity Research Articles

STUDY OF DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLIES IN BHAGALPUR DISTRICT OF BIHAR IN INDIA

The butterflies are a vital ecosystem component, acting as pollinators, food sources, and good indicators of ecological changes. The present study mainly focuses on identifying butterfly species and their diversity in India?s Bhagalpur district of Bihar. During the survey, 48 butterfly species were recorded. Among these, 19 species were recorded for the first time from Bihar. The surrounding rural areas had rich butterfly diversity comprising 48 species belonging to 5 families compared to the town area, where only 32 species were recorded. A maximum of 16 species were recorded from the nymphalidae family (33.33%). The most abundant species in the target area were Ariadne ariadne, Danaus chrysippus, Euploea core, Junonia almana, Junonia iphita, Leptosia nina nina, Lerodea eufala, Melanitis leda ismene, Papilio demoleus demoleus, and Ypthima huebneri. However, a few species, such as Cigaritis vulcanus, Curetis acuta, Iambrix salsala, and Spialia galba, were rarely found. Maximum diversity was observed in winter, whereas minimum diversity was observed in summer.. KEYWORDS :Butterfly, Diversity, New Records, Nymphalidae

Diversity of Butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Kasur District, Punjab, Pakistan

Diversity of Butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Kasur District, Punjab, Pakistan

Butterfly Diversity of Veerappampalayam Area at Idappadi in Salem District, Tamilnadu, India

A study of butterfly diversity was carried out at Veerappam palayam village, Idappadi Taluk, in Salem District, Tamilnadu, India. The study was carried out from June 2022 to November 2022 except for the rainy seasons. A number of 21 butterfly species that belong to 5 families were recorded through visual observations of their wing patterns, colour and also referring to field guides. The butterflies belonging to five families, Nymphalidae (38%), Papilionidae (24%),Lycaenidae (19%), Pieridae (14%) and Hesperiidae (5%) were observed. The butterfly diversity was observed areas from Veerappam palayam Melvalu, Paal sosite and Karattukatu. The area has cultivated more lands in village side and which serve as host plant for laying the eggs and plants for nectar. The most of the butterflies are sitting plants as Tephrosia Purpurea, Euphorbia hirta, Pueraria phaseoloides, Stachytarpheta indica, Lantana camara, Tagetus, Cosmos and several species of grasses.

Effects of food availability on butterfly diversity and network specialization across altitudinal levels in a Mediterranean landscape

Effects of food availability on butterfly diversity and network specialization across altitudinal levels in a Mediterranean landscape

Larval Host Plants of the Butterflies under Papilionidae Family of the Western Ghats, India

Butterflies are flying jewels of nature. They are very diverse and has a great role the ecosystem maintenance. Butterflies are widely used as model insects in various studies related to evolution, ethology, insect - plant interactions and distribution (Settele & Kühn, 2009; Rayalu et al,, 2013). Butterflies are among the most studied group of insects in relation to the selection of larval food plants and egg laying patterns and behavior. In relation to the larval food plant selection, considerable amount of database is available on the butterflies and their behavior. These studies have been carried out in almost all geographic regions of the world. (Wilkund, 1984; Kelly & Debinski, 1998; Settele et al., 2009; Curtis et al., 2015; Nitin et al., 2018; Robinson et al., 2001; Rayalu et al., 2013, Hill et al., 2018). Butterflies are one of the most interesting and fascinating insect groups. Butterflies widely appreciated for their aesthetic value are important as ecological indicators [1]. One fifth of the world’s total butterflies are available in India. The butterflies are selective in their choice of flowers and plants they visit. Butterflies and their caterpillars are dependent on specific host plants for foliage, nectar and pollen as their food. Selection of food plants for the immature stages by the adult females is a well-known fact in butterflies and other group of insects. Thus, butterfly diversity indirectly reflects overall plant diversity, especially that of herbs and shrubs, in the given area

Diversity Analysis and Dry Preservation of Butterflies to Understand Future Strategies in CGU Campus, Odisha, India

Butterflies are excellent markers of environmental evaluation because of their sensitive nature and changes in butterflies’ habitats have a direct impact on them. Increasing urbanization may have catastrophic repercussions on both regional and global levels by causing habitat loss. The current study was conducted from January to April during the morning and afternoon hours of the year, 2023 in the State of Odisha within the campus of C.V Raman Global University to explore the diversity of butterflies and ways towards the sustainable maintenance of butterfly species over the long term. Altogether, 108 individuals and 17 butterfly species belonging to 3 families, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, and Papilionidae were documented. Nymphalidae, one of the three families, was found to have the most diverse number of species, 11 (64.72%), followed by Pieridae with 4 species (23.52%), and Papilionidae with only 2 species (11.76%). An index of diversity (H’) for the butterfly family Nymphalidae is 1.944327 and Evenness is 0.810847 indicating the highest level of diversity and for the Papilionidae family Shannon diversity index is 0.529706 and Evenness is 0.764205 which shows the lowest level of diversity. The current study also suggests sustainable maintenance steps for the butterfly population on the campus.

A Report on Butterfly Diversity of Biodiversity Park, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

A Report on Butterfly Diversity of Biodiversity Park, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Microclimate and Vegetation Structure Significantly Affect Butterfly Assemblages in a Tropical Dry Forest

Understanding the factors that influence the diversity and distribution of butterfly species is crucial for prioritizing conservation. The Eastern Ghats of India is an ideal site for such a study, where butterfly diversity studies have yet to receive much attention. This study emphasized the butterfly assemblages of three prominent habitats in the region: open forests, riparian forests, and dense forests. We hypothesized that riparian forests would be the most preferred habitat for the butterflies, as they provide suitable microclimatic conditions for butterflies. The study collected samples for 35 grids of 2 × 2 km2 for each habitat during the dry months (December–June). We considered the relative humidity, temperature, light intensity, elevation, and canopy cover to assess their influences on butterfly richness and abundance. We also considered the impact of disturbances on their distribution. We used structural equation modeling and canonical correspondence analysis to quantify the correlation and causation between the butterflies and their environment. The study recorded 1614 individual butterflies of 79 species from 57 genera and 6 families. During the study, we found that temperature was the most significant factor influencing butterfly richness. Relative humidity was also important and had a positive impact on butterfly richness. Riparian forests, where daytime temperatures are relatively low, were the most preferred microhabitat for butterflies. Open forests had greater species diversity, indicating the critical significance of an open canopy for butterflies. Though riparian forests need greater attention concerning butterfly distribution, maintaining open and dense forests are crucial for preserving butterfly diversity.

Butterfly Diversity in the Campus area of University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India.

Butterflies play a crucial role as bio-indicators, signaling the health of ecosystems and biodiversity, making their conservation vital. The northern region of West Bengal in eastern India is renowned for its remarkable butterfly diversity. The University of North Bengal campus, spanning 315.99 acres at the Eastern Himalayan foothills (26°42′34.03″N; 88°21′14.96″E), is home to diverse flora and fauna. The surrounding area offers a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, tea gardens, and wetlands, which support numerous animal species. This study aimed to assess butterfly diversity in three distinct geographical sites within the university campus: the Tea garden area (dominated by tea and rubber plants), Salkunja (a forested area with a semi-perennial stream dominated by Sal trees), and Magurmari (an area with semi-perennial streams, ponds, ephemeral water bodies, paddy fields, and grasslands). Monthly butterfly observations were conducted from December 2021 to January 2023. The study documented 55 butterfly species from six families (Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Riodinidae), with Nymphalidae being the most prevalent and Riodinidae the least. Notably, the ecotone area of Magurmari exhibited the highest butterfly species diversity. Four species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, were also identified. This research aims to analyze butterfly diversity in relation to their habitats and conservation needs within the university campus, contributing to the development of a concise checklist specific to this district for effective conservation efforts. The study underscores the significant butterfly diversity found on the campus, emphasizing the urgent need for focused conservation actions.

Diversity, Seasonal Dynamics and Host Plants of Butterflies in Forest Research Centre, Siddipet, Telangana, India

Aim: This study aims at bringing out butterfly diversity through species richness, seasonal distribution and suitable host plant preferences of identified butterflies in Forest Research Centre, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
 Study Design: Line Transect Method is followed.
 Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Forest Research Centre (FRC), Siddipet, Telangana, India during 2021-2022.
 Methodology: Five line transects are laid across the research centre which are surveyed both in morning and afternoon at 9-11AM and 4-6PM respectively across the season viz., rainy, winter and summer seasons. Species identification was done based on the visual and photographical observations.
 Results: The study revealed a butterfly species richness of 53, spanning 39 genera and distributed across five families. These families included Nymphalidae (23 species), Pieridae (12 species), Lycaenidae (10 species), Papilionoidae (6 species), and Hesperiidae (2 species). When it came to host plant preferences, the butterflies showed a preference for families such as Fabaceae (23%), Malvaceae (16%), Capparaceae (12%), Acanthaceae (11%), and Poaceae (8%). Additionally, several other families, including Apocynaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Rhamnaceae, and Rutaceae, were found to host a few butterfly species. Regarding seasonal distribution, the study noted that butterfly species were more abundant during the winter season, followed by the rainy season, with the summer season exhibiting a significant difference in distribution and occurrence compared to the other two seasons.
 Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that FRC reported a diverse range of butterflies distributed across all the seasons making it potential site for preservation and conservation of butterflies and its host species.

Preliminary Assessment of Butterfly Diversity in a Coal Block Area of Pakur District, Jharkhand, India

Preliminary Assessment of Butterfly Diversity in a Coal Block Area of Pakur District, Jharkhand, India

KEANEKARAGAMAN KUPU-KUPU DI DESA SANGEH, KABUPATEN BADUNG, PROVINSI BALII

Butterflies have a biological function that can be used as a bioindicator of health assessment in an environment. This is because butterflies are insects or organisms that are very sensitive to changes in an environment so they are suitable as a study of conservation biology studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the type or diversity of butterflies in Sangeh Village. Butterfly sample data collection was carried out using the roaming method and was carried out for 3 months. Butterfly sampling was carried out on 8 lines called stations and sampling was repeated 4 times. Butterfly identification was carried out in two ways, namely in situ (at the research site) and ex-situ (outside the research location). The results of the research in Sangeh Village found 41 types of butterflies. The results of calculating the diversity index of butterflies at all stations were 3.18 with the highest diversity index at station II (3.02), while the lowest was at station VI (2.54).

Butterfly Diversity in Kakrebihar Forest Area, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Nepal

Butterfly diversity changes with habitat and meteorological factors. They are facing threats due to many environmental and anthropogenic causes so need their diversity and status investigation to initiate conservation programs. The butterfly diversity study was conducted at Kakrebihar protected forest, the first government protected forest, during January to December 2021. The data was collected using Ocular Point Observation Method. Capture and release method along with photography was used for butterfly identification. Total of 431 individuals of 33 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 24 genera and 7 families. Among recorded families of butterflies, Nymphalidae was dominant family followed by family Hisperiidae. Among recorded butterfly species, 17 species were very common, 15 were common and one was rare. The total butterfly diversity and evenness were recorded to be high in the study area. 
 The butterfly diversity was found to be high during post-monsoon season followed by monsoon and pre-monsoon season and its lowest during winter season.

A Review On The Diversity Of Butterfly (Insecta: Lepidoptera) Fauna From Bangladesh

Butterflies are widely regarded as the most reliable bioindicators of a healthy terrestrial ecosystem. This insect belongs to the order Lepidoptera of the class Insecta and plays an important role in preserving ecological dynamics. The objective of this paper is to review the species diversity of butterflies in Bangladesh. The data is based mainly on published records and field sampling. IUCN Bangladesh (2015) evaluated the threat status of 305 species of butterflies in 2015. The overall number of butterfly species in Bangladesh is now 421, with another 116 having just been added to the IUCN-Bangladesh list. Lycaenidae has the most species (124), followed by Hesperiidae (87), Nymphalidae (79), Satyridae (35), Pieridae (36), Papilionidae (32), Danaidae (19), Riodinidae (4), Amathusiidae (4), and finally Acraeidae, which has only one species. In the present review, it is shown that the family Lycaenidae has the highest percentage of butterfly species (29.45%) among the ten families. The number of Lycaenid butterflies is influenced by various factors, one of which is their ability to inhabit a diverse array of habitats. In contrast, Danaidae account for only 4.51% species of butterflies in Bangladesh, where only one Critically Endangered (CR) and endemic taxon, Euploea crameri nicevillei (Sundarban Crow) resides. Larval host plant documentation in the Sundarbans is essential for the conservation of this species, while the molecular data (COI gene) has already been sequenced and submitted to Genbank (MH269417). Finally, the data obtained from this paper is important for future planning and management of the conservation of the butterflies and their habitat in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Zool. 51(1): 03-34, 2023

Diversity and Abundance of Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural College and Research Foundation, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, South India

Butterflies play a vital role in the ecosystem, acting as pollinators, pollution indicators, pests, predators, weed killers, a good source of food and being of aesthetic, economic and ecological importance. World-wide butterfly populations are on the decline due to habitat destruction and deforestation. This study was taken with the prime objective of preparing the checklist of butterflies at Sethu Bhaskara Agricultural College and Research Foundation, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, from April 2023 to July 2023. A total of 976 individuals of 76 species belonging to 5 families have been recorded in the survey. For this study, the college was mapped into four different habitats: botanical garden area, agricultural field area, horticultural field area and grassland area. Results revealed that the family Nymphalidae showed the maximum number of species (22.0 species) from 12 genera (29.0%), followed by Lycaenidae (20.0 species) from17genera (26.5%), Pieridae (18.0 species) from 9 genera (24.0%), Hesperiidae (12.0 species) from 11 genera (16.0%) and the least being Papilionidae (4.0 species) from 2 genera (5.5%). Among the four sites, the botanical garden area ranks first with the highest number of butterflies (140 species, N =280), followed by the horticultural field area (129 species, N = 258), the agricultural field area (115 species, N = 230) and the grassland area (104 species, N = 208). According to the monthly distribution of butterflies, the maximum number of species and abundance were recorded in the months of July (307 species, N = 332), followed by June (141 species, N = 282), April (112 species, N= 224) and least in May (69 species, N = 138). The overall Shannon-Weiner diversity index was H = 1.50, Pielou’s evenness index was E = 0.60 and Margalef’s index was R = 13.30. This study illustrated useful information on butterfly diversity in the study region, which serves as a baseline for future monitoring programs.

Study on Butterfly Diversity in the Campus of Government College Quepem, Goa, India

Butterflies belonging to the class Insecta and the order Lepidoptera make the second largest order after Coleopterans. They are one of the best environmental indicators due to their short life cycle and quick response to the changes in the environment. Moreover, they play vital roles in nutrient cycling and food chain in the ecosystems. No published documentary evidences are available on the butterfly diversity of Quepem at the foothills of Western Ghats in Goa. Present study was designed to generate the preliminary checklist of butterflies at the campus of Government College, Quepem. Field survey on butterflies was carried out from September 2021 to January 2022, in the selected sites comprising of botanical garden, butterfly garden and specific sites in the college campus rich in vegetation. 40 butterfly species belonging to five families spread over 30 genera were recorded during the study period. Family Nymphalidae dominated the college campus with 18 species followed by Lycaenidae (9 species), Papilionidae (5 species), and Hesperiidae and Pieridae with 4 species each. The dominance exhibited by family Nymphalidae was mainly due to the rich landscape and the availability of larval host and nectar plants in the campus.

Butterflies are not a robust bioindicator for assessing pollinator communities, but floral resources offer a promising way forward

Monitoring pollinators is crucial for the evaluation of biodiversity and potential pollination services. Yet, efficiently monitoring multiple taxa over large areas can be costly. An alternative approach is using simple species bioindicators that represent the entire pollinator community. One of the requirements of a good bioindicator is that it can be easily identified to lower taxonomic levels and be sensitive to changes in habitat. This is the case for butterflies, a taxon for which many countries have a country-wide long-term monitoring scheme. We tested whether butterfly diversity can be used to predict diversity of bees and hoverflies both spatially and temporally. We surveyed 42 transects of the Dutch Butterfly Monitoring Scheme in 2020, to record species richness and abundance of butterflies, bees and hoverflies. We also recorded flower area and richness in the pollinator transects. To test whether pollinators with similar functional traits are more closely correlated than the entire pollinator community, we categorized bee and butterfly species according to their diet breadth (polyphagous vs. non-polyphagous), nitrogen-affinity (nitrophobous vs. nitrophilous larval resources) and body size. We used the same methods to test for temporal correlations over seven years for one site in Spain. Butterfly richness was not spatially correlated with bee richness (Pearson's r = 0.13), nor were the two taxa temporally correlated (Pearson's r = 0.02). Interestingly, hoverfly richness was spatially correlated with butterfly richness (Pearson's r = 0.43) and with bee richness (Pearson's r = 0.36) in the Netherlands and, hence, hoverflies might be slightly more suitable as a bioindicator of pollinator diversity in this area. Abundance of all three taxa showed no significant inter-correlation, except for correlations between diet specialist bees and butterflies (Pearson's r = 0.39). Importantly, all three taxa were strongly correlated with flower richness, but they varied in their preferences for host plant families. This is in line with 75% of the plant-pollinator studies finding significant positive relations. For monitoring schemes to be effective in informing better pollinator conservation, they should expand to include bees and hoverflies as well as simple indicators of habitat quality such as floral resources.

How Biodiversity, Climate and Landscape Drive Functional Redundancy of British Butterflies.

Biodiversity promotes the functioning of ecosystems, and functional redundancy safeguards this functioning against environmental changes. However, what drives functional redundancy remains unclear. We analyzed taxonomic diversity, functional diversity (richness and β-diversity) and functional redundancy patterns of British butterflies. We explored the effect of temperature and landscape-related variables on richness and redundancy using generalized additive models, and on β-diversity using generalized dissimilarity models. The species richness-functional richness relationship was saturating, indicating functional redundancy in species-rich communities. Assemblages did not deviate from random expectations regarding functional richness. Temperature exerted a significant effect on all diversity aspects and on redundancy, with the latter relationship being unimodal. Landscape-related variables played a role in driving observed patterns. Although taxonomic and functional β-diversity were highly congruent, the model of taxonomic β-diversity explained more deviance than the model of functional β-diversity did. Species-rich butterfly assemblages exhibited functional redundancy. Climate- and landscape-related variables emerged as significant drivers of diversity and redundancy. Τaxonomic β-diversity was more strongly associated with the environmental gradient, while functional β-diversity was driven more strongly by stochasticity. Temperature promoted species richness and β-diversity, but warmer areas exhibited lower levels of functional redundancy. This might be related to the land uses prevailing in warmer areas (e.g., agricultural intensification).

Butterfly Diversity in Sal Forests of Kharsawan Region of Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Kolhan Division, Jharkhand, India

Butterfly Diversity in Sal Forests of Kharsawan Region of Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Kolhan Division, Jharkhand, India

Temporal distribution pattern of butterflies in an unfenced location at Serampore, Hooghly, West Bengal, India

The same niche cannot support two species. To avoid negative interactions, species adapt their presence and utilize different types of resources according to different time periods. Many factors, including temperature, influence insect communities. Butterfly species utilize similar habitat types or even microhabitats with other co-species and share the same daytime if the resources are plentiful. However, they follow a certain ecological pattern of temporal distribution by using different intervals of the same time frame. With the use of the Modified Pollard Walk Method, the present study explores butterfly presence, species exclusivity, and commonality in an area situated in Jolkol, Serampore, West Bengal. The presence of reliable sources of nectar, a plentiful supply of food plants conducive to egg-laying, ample sunlight in open spaces, minimal pesticide usage, and limited human interference within the examined region have all contributed to a diverse array of butterfly species in the area. Butterfly species are susceptible to changes in landscape and vegetation, and the loss of habitats caused by urbanization and environmental degradation threatens butterfly diversity. Many butterfly species function as ecological indicators and provide numerous ecosystem services. As a result, conservation and preservation of butterfly diversity are important, particularly in urban habitats.