A STUDY ON THE BIODIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLIES IN PEROOR LOCALITY,

KOTTAYAM DISTRICT

Rachel Susan Jacob

B.Ed. Student Natural Science

Mount Carmel College Of Teacher Education, Kottayam

ABSTRACT
The present study on Diversity of Butterflies were conducted during 28-10-2015 to 04-11-2015 in
Peoor locality..A total of eight species were recorded. There were seasonal variations observed among
species. In the beginning of the study the number of common grass yellow butterfly was less in number.
After certain days, it was found an increase in the number of this butterfly due to seasonal variations.
Photos of butterflies were taken using the digital camera and the data were analyzed using the bar
diagram. Psyche butterfly being the most abundant species found in Peroor locality.

INTRODUCTION

Butterflies are mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies
and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterflies life cycle consists of four parts; egg,
larvae, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly colored wing and
conspicuous fluttering flight. Butterflies comprise the true butterflies (super family Papilionoidea), the
skipper (super family Hesperioidea) and the moth-butterflies (super family Hedyoidea). All the many
other families within the Lepidoptera are referred to as moths.

Butterflies exhibit polymorphism, mimicry, and aposemation. Some butterflies like monarch
will migrate over long distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships
with social insects such as ants. Some species are pests in their larval stages because they can damage
domestic crops or trees, however some species are agents of pollination of some plants and caterpillars
of a few butterflies (harvesters) eat harmful insects. Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the
visual and literary arts.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

Butterflies have been recognized by the Government as the indicators of biodiversity. Their
fragility makes them quick to react to change so their struggle to survive is a serious warning about our
environment.Habitats have been destroyed on a massive scale, and now patterns of climate and weather are
 shifting unpredictably in response to pollution of the atmosphere but the disappearance of these beautiful
creatures is more serious than just a loss of color in the countryside.

Conservation of butterflies will improve our whole environment for wildlife and enrich the lives of
people now and in the future.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following objectives have been formulated under the particular study. They are:-
To document the number of butterfly in Peroor locality at Kottayam district.
To estimate the butterfly diversity using the statistical tool like bar diagram.

METHODOLOGY

Butterflies were observed in morning 6.30 A.M to 7.30 A.M and evening 5.00 P.M to 6 P.M from
28/10/2015 to 04/11/2015 in Peroor locality. They were collected using insect net. Features like
coloration, wing pattern, etc were noted down. Pictures were taken. The butterflies were released back
to the field itself without harming them. Books and various resources were used to identify the
observed butterflies. Abundance of different species was noted for different days.

I.1 METHOD ADOPTED

Butterflies were observed during morning and evening in the biodiversity rich places in Peroor
locality and the photos were taken using the camera.
I.2 MATERIALS USED
1) Insect net
Insect net is used to catch the butterflies for taking photos and released after the photo taken.
2) Field Guide
3) Field Book
Field book were used to write the external features of the collected butterflies and the names
of the butterflies were noted down.
4) Digital Camera

I.3 PROCEDURE

Butterflies were observed during morning and evening in the Peroor locality. Pictures were
taken using digital camera. Books and various resources were used to identify the observed butterflies.
Abundance of different species was noted for different days. Statistical tool like bar diagram was
applied for quantifying the data.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

 Butterflies were observed in Peroor locality, Kottayam district for a period of one week which starts
from 28/10/2015 to 04/11/2015.It was a slight rainy season. Because of this the number of butterflies
was slightly less. There were 10 species of butterflies were observed during the study period.

COMMON GRASS YELLOW

DARK BLUE TIGER

COMMON BLUE BOTTLE

PSYCHE

DAY B- C- BL- G- C- C.BL- C.G- JEZ C- PSY

TIGE MORAMON MORAMON MORAMON EMIGR BOTTL YEL EB SAI CHE
R ANT E LOW EL LO
R
 1 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 1 2 10

2 2 1 1 1 5 0 3 0 1 11

3 2 1 1 1 5 1 4 0 1 12

4 2 2 0 1 5 0 3 0 1 10

5 2 2 1 1 4 0 3 0 2 9

6 2 2 0 1 4 0 3 1 2 8

7 2 1 0 1 4 0 2 0 2 10

8 2 1 1 1 4 0 2 0 2 10

NUMBER OF BUTTERFLIES OBSERVED

FROM 28/10/2015 TO 04/11/2015

According to the above table which shows the number of butterflies observed from 28/10/2015 to
04/11/2015 in Peroor locality, a graph is drawn.
14

12

10

8 DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
6 DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
4 DAY 7
DAY 8

GRAPH SHOWING DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLY

FROM 28/10/2015 TO 04/11/2015

By analyzing the graph it is found that the number of Blue Tiger butterfly was same throughout
the period of study. But the number of Moramon butterfly showed variations in different days. Blue
Moramon butterfly was observed only in three days. Compared to Blue Moramon and Blue Tiger
butterflies, the Emigrant butterfly showed increase in its number. Blue Bottle and Jezebel butterflies
were observed only in two days during the present study .Common Grass Yellow and Sailor butterflies
were observed throughout the study. Psyche butterfly is the most abundant species observed throughout
the study in Peroor locality. From the graph it concluded that all the observed butterflies showed
seasonal variations in Peroor Locality.

CONCLUSION

A butterfly is mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies
and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterflies life cycle consists of four parts; egg,
larvae, pupae and adult.

Butterfly diversity in and around my house in Peroor, Kottayam District was studied for one
week (from 28/10/2015 to 04/11/2015). Ten species of butterflies were observed and are documented
in this study. Their behavior was also observed. The observations were mainly done in the morning
and evening hours when the butterflies are most active.

There were seasonal variations among butterflies observed. Psyche being the most abundant
species found throughout the study. Jezebels were seen less in number. Common blue bottle were
observed only in two days and that too merely 1%. Blue tiger also present throughout the period of
study. In some days the number of Common moramon was too low.

The number of Common emigrant was high in all the days. In the beginning of the study, the
number of common grass yellow was low and it found to increase the number and after certain days,
its number starts to decrease. The most common butterfly found throughout the period of study was
psyche.

REFERENCES

1. www.innspub.net/wp-content/uploads/.../JBES-Vol5No3-p328-339.pdf

2. mutagens.co.in/ijab/ijab/vol.02/1/01.pdf

3. www.academia.edu/.../DIVERSITY_AND_HABITAT_ASSOCIATION_...

4. www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?SL108-11
5. Thomas, Kehimkar, Isaac& Punetha J.C. (1992) Common Butterflies of India. WWF-India and
Oxford University Press, Mumbai, India