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

Abstract

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.