Biodiversity of Butterflies at Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District,

Tamil Nadu
Keywords:
Butterflies, Species, Relative Abundance, Crop Ecosystem, Ambasamudram.
ABSTRACT:

The present study has been aimed to explore the existing diversity of
butterflies from Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. A total of
19 genera and 23 species belonging to eight families were recorded. Out of these,
Nymphalidae were dominant with 7 species, followed by Papilionidae (5 species),
Pieridae (5 species), Danaidae (3 species), Acraeidae (1 species), Hesperiidae
(1 species), Lycaenidae (1 species), and Satyridae (1 species). Nymphalidae was found
to be the most dominant members with 30.43% followed by Papilionidae (21.74%),
Pieridae (17.39%) and Danaidae (13.04%). The minimum number of species found in
this habitat was from the families such as Acraeidae (4.35%), Hesperiidae (4.35%),
Lycaenidae (4.35%) and Satyridae (4.35%).
099-107 | JRA | 2012 | Vol 1 | No 2

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www.jagri.info
Journal of Research in
Agriculture
An International Scientific
Research Journal
Authors:
Elanchezhyan K
1
,
VinothKumar B
2
,
Madhu Sudhanan E
3
.

Institution:
1. Assistant Professor
(Agrl. Entomology),
Rice Research Station,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Ambasamudram-
627 401, Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu, India.

2. Assistant Professor
(Agrl. Entomology),
Hybrid Rice Evaluation
Centre, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University,
Gudalur - 643 212,
The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu,
India.

3. Research Scholar,
Dept. of Agricultural
Entomology, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University,
Coimbatore - 641 003,
Tamil Nadu, India.






Corresponding author:
Elanchezhyan K.



Email:
drchezhiyanphd@gmail.com


Web Address:
http://www.jagri.info
documents/AG0025.pdf.
Dates:
Received: 12 Jul 2012 Accepted: 25 Jul 2012 Published: 31 Jul 2012
Article Citation:
Elanchezhyan K, VinothKumar B, Madhu Sudhanan E.
Biodiversity of Butterflies at Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107
Original Research
Journal of Research in Agriculture
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An International Scientific Research Journal


INTRODUCTION
Insects are extremely important components of
the bioindicators of the world (Chakaravarthy et al.,
1997; Jana et al., 2009). Butterflies are one of the most
amazing and magnificent elements of bio-diversity.
They are most beautiful and attractive than most other
insects and have fascinated human imagination and
creativity. They are valuable pollinators in the local
environment and help to pollinate more than
50 economically important crops (Borges et al., 2003)
and are one of the important food chain components of
birds, reptiles, spiders and predatory insects. They are
also good indicators of a healthy environment and
healthy ecosystems because they are sensitive to changes
in microclimate, temperature, solar radiation and the
availability of host plants for oviposition and larval
development (Thomas et al., 1998; Fordyce and Nice,
2003).
Though there are number of records of butterflies
in various places of India (Mani, 1986; Haribal, 1992;
Mehta et al., 1999; Murugan et al., 1999; Pai and Priya,
2001), due to the typical eco-climatic and geographic
features, Western Ghats is considered as one of the most
diversified areas containing a wide variety of species of
butterflies. Out of 1501 species of butterflies recorded
from the Indian region so far (Kunte, 2000), 350 species
are from Peninsular India, 331 species from the Western
Ghats and 313 species of butterflies from South India
(Gaonkar, 1996). The butterfly fauna of the southern part
of the Peninsular India is very rich and diverse compared
to the other parts of the peninsula due to the availability
of diverse habitats, a wide range of altitudinal gradients
and associated microclimate regimes.
India has a rich butterfly fauna, but due to
various reasons such as increased urban features
including roads and buildings, habitat destruction, fire,
use of pesticides and illegal collection for trade, many
species have become very rare and some are on the verge
of extinction. Therefore, the present study makes an
attempt to explore the existing diversity of butterflies
from Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District,
Tamil Nadu.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
The study on the biodiversity of butterflies was
carried out in Ambasamudram and nearby areas.
Ambasamudram is located in the foothills of Western
Ghats of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.
The area receives good rainfall during both the north-east
and south-west monsoons. The location is situated
at 842 latitude and 7728 longitude at an altitude of
64.8 m above MSL. The mean annual rainfall of the area
during the study period was 652.4 mm.
Methodology Adopted
The study on the biodiversity of butterflies was
carried out in different crop ecosystems at
Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
The area under study includes cultivated crops viz., rice,
black gram, cotton, sugarcane, vegetables, Lime, flowers
and forest trees besides weeds such as Calotropis sp.,
Leucas aspera, Lantana camera and Tridax procumbens.
The adult butterflies were carefully collected from
different ecosystems, killed, preserved and stored in
insect storage boxes, using naphthalene as repellent, to
prevent secondary infection to the stored specimens.
100 Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Fig 1. Dominant butterfly species at
Ambasamudram Taluk

Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107 101
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Common Name Scientific Name
Family: Acraeidae
Tawny Coster Acraea violae Fabricius

Family: Danaidae
Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus

Striped Tiger Danaus genutia Cramer

Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace Cramer

Family: Hesperiidae
Small Branded Swift Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius)

Family: Lycaenidae
Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius)

Table 1. List of butterfly species identified at Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli



102 Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Family: Nymphalidae
Peacock pansy Junonia almana Linnaeus

Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias Linnaeus

Grey pansy Junonia atlites Linnaeus

Danaid eggfly Hypolimnus misippus Linnaeus

Common castor Ariadne merione Cramer

Common Indian Crow Euploea core Cramer


Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107 103
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Rustic Cupha erymanthis Drury

Family: Papilionidae
Lime Butterfly Papilio demoleus Linnaeus

Common Mormon Papilio polytes Linnaeus

Crimson Rose Atrophaneura hector Linnaeus

Tailed Jay Graphium Agamemnon Linnaeus

Southern Birdwing Troides minos Cramer




104 Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Common gull Cepora nerissa (Fabricius)

Pioneer white Belenois aurota (Fabricius)

Common Jezebel Delias eucharis Drury

Common Emigrant (Male) Catopsilia Pomona Fabricius

Common Emigrant
(Female)
Catopsilia Pomona Fabricius

Family: satyridae
Common Evening Brown Melanitis ismene Linnaeus

Family: Pieridae
The specimens were identified with the help of standard
identification keys provided in the reference books
(Kunte, 2000; Kehimkar, 2008; Gunasekaran and
Balasubramanian, 2010; Singh, 2011; Hussain et al.,
2011; Alagumurugan et al., 2011; Guptha et al., 2012).
The butterfly species which were encountered during the
study period are listed in Table 1.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total of 19 genera and 23 species belonging to
eight families were recorded. Out of these, Nymphalidae
were dominant with 7 species (Fig. 1), followed by
Papilionidae (5 species), Pieridae (5 species), Danaidae
(3 species), Acraeidae (1 species), Hesperiidae
(1 species), Lycaenidae (1 species), and Satyridae
(1 species) (Table 1). The abundance of butterfly species
population in the selected area may be due to the
availability of ample food, optimum climate and a serene
atmosphere (Ravindra et al., 1996).
The relative abundance of butterflies was
calculated and presented in Table 2. Among the eight
families, Nymphalidae was found to be the most
dominant members with 30.43% followed by
Papilionidae (21.74%), Pieridae (17.39%) and
Danaidae (13.04%). The minimum number of species
found in this habitat was from the families such as
Acr aeidae ( 4. 35%), Hesper iidae ( 4. 35%),
Lycaenidae (4.35%) and Satyridae (4.35%) (Fig. 2).
The predominance of Nymphalidae from Western Ghats
has been reported by earlier workers also (Kunte, 1997;
Easwaran and Pramod, 2005; Padhye et al., 2006;
KrishnaKumar et al., 2008; Ramesh et al., 2010).
The reason for the increase in diversity might be due to
the favourable tropical climate conditions, availability of
more number of host plants, and vegetation cover of
herbs, shrubs and trees for nectaring of butterflies
(Tiple, 2009)
In India, Acraeidae represents only two species
and only one species in Sout h I ndia
(Wynter-Blyth, 1957). Subba Reddi et al., (2003)
reported that the rainfall conditions greatly influence the
butterfly numbers and species distribution. The
butterflies tend to avoid dry habitat and prefer moist
places. Moreover, factors such as scarcity of water, poor
nectar and dry vegetation results in less butterfly
abundance and lower survival ability of most species.
Journal of Research in Agriculture (2012) 1(2): 099-107 105
Elanchezhyan et al.,2012
Fig 2. Abundance of Butterfly Species at
Ambasamudram
S.No. Family Number of Genera Relative Abundance (%) Number of species Relative Abundance (%)
1. Acraeidae 01 5.26 01 4.35
2. Danaidae 02 10.53 03 13.04
3. Hesperiidae 01 5.26 01 4.35
4. Lycaenidae 01 5.26 01 4.35
5. Nymphalidae 05 26.33 07 30.43
6. Papilionidae 04 21.05 05 21.74
7. Pieridae 04 21.05 04 17.39
8. Satyridae 01 5.26 01 4.35
Total 19 100 23 100
Table 2. Relative abundance of butterflies at Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli


Clark et al., (2007) reported that the increased human
activities (i.e. urbanization) were associated with
decreased butterfly species as the rich and rare and
specialized species were the most affected. Urban
development is expected to have a deleterious impact on
butterfly populations, because, the construction of
buildings and concretes replaces or reduces the area or
natural and semi-natural habitats (Tiple and Khurad,
2009). Sudden occurrence of abiotic stress may lead to
substantial decline of the butterfly species and thus the
change in butterfly diversity can be used as an indicator
of environmental degradation (Hussain et al., 2011).
Thus, biodiversity of butterflies plays an important role
in the healthy environment as well as healthy
ecosystems.

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