Studies on Relationship between Lepidopteron Species and Nectar Plants from Different Places of Chikhli City, Maharashtra, India
Author : RK Hushare and Dr. MT Nikam
Abstract :
Order Lepidoptera includes moths and butterflies which represents insects within the class Insecta and phylum Arthropoda. Both of these are good biodiversity indicators as well as pollinators of various plant species. They play a vital role in different food chains at different trophic levels in an ecosystem. The present survey was carried out to study about the interaction between lepidopteron species and nectar plants from different places of Chikhli City, Maharashtra, India during June 2024 to August 2024. The present study revealed 11 nectar plant species belonging to 6 families from the study area. Flowering plants belong to family Fabaceae, Apocynaceae and Verbenaceae followed by Asteraceae, Rutaceae and Cannaceae are most widely used by adult butterflies and some moth species in the form of nectar which provides sugary energy source in the form of food. Mostly butterflies of family Pieridae were observed at high rate visiting members to yellow and red flowers; followed by Nymphalidae, Papilionidae and some species of Lycaenidae family as well as some moth species of Sphingidae and Noctuidae. The objective of the present survey is focused on making the list of nectar plants which are essential nectar supplements for these individuals in the form of food. Understanding the importance of plants for such creatures become necessary and the management practices for conservation of lepidopteron diversity along with the conservation of herbs, shrubs and trees is needed.
Keywords :
Butterfly, Moth, Lepidopteron, Seasonal abundance, Biodiversity, Chikhli.
