ARCHIVES
VOL. 8, ISSUE 12 (2023)
A Preliminary report on the Diversity and Abundance of Butterfly (Insecta: Lepidoptera) fauna in Rock Garden, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Authors
Mousumi Das, Srija Gan, Madhurima Sen, Sneha Jha, Mainak Mukherjee
Abstract
Butterflies are the prettiest insects due to their attractive and
diverse wing colours and patterns. A
short-term survey on the diversity of butterfly species in the Rock Garden,
Ranchi, Jharkhand, from 7th December to 10th December,
2023, revealed the record of 76 butterfly species belonging to 53 genera and 5
families, namely Papilionidae (2 genera, 7 species), Nymphalidae (23 genera, 34
species), Pieridae (12 genera, 16 species), Lycaenidae (11 genera, 14 species)
and Hesperidae (5 genera, 5 species) were recorded. Twelve of these species are
legally protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Nymphalidae
was found to be the most dominant family (39.69%), followed by Pieridae
(37.16%), Lycaenidae (17.90%), (3.70%), Papilionidae (3.70%) and then Hesperidae
(1.56%). Recorded butterflies were classified as very common (20.82%), common
(30.74%), not rare (30.16%), rare (13.04%) and very rare (5.26%). The
butterflies those showed high occurrence were Eurema hecabe (Pieredae)
and Junonia lemonias (Nymphalidae). Shannon diversity score was noted
highest in the family Nymphalidae (H’=2.96) and lowest in the family Hesperidae
(H’=1.49). Shimpson’s diversity index (Ds) showed an inverse tendency. All the
studied different diversity indices and Whittaker plot showed a high diversity prevailed
in the butterfly community of this study area. This study will be useful in
making long-term conservation strategies for this fragmented forest patch to
ensure the conservation of butterfly fauna as well as biodiversity protection
and ecosystem integrity.
Download
Pages:81-89
How to cite this article:
Mousumi Das, Srija Gan, Madhurima Sen, Sneha Jha, Mainak Mukherjee "A Preliminary report on the Diversity and Abundance of Butterfly (Insecta: Lepidoptera) fauna in Rock Garden, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 8, Issue 12, 2023, Pages 81-89
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.