9
NeBIO Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012, 93-101 Author for correspondence D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna Email: [email protected] © NECEER, Imphal Diversity and richness of butterfly fauna in a Home Garden habitat, and its vicinity, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna 1 , Anushka Kumarasinghe 2 , Majintha B. Madawala 2 , M.A.J. Saman Navaratne 1 and Dinesh E. Gabadage 3 1 Nature Exploration & Education Team, No: B-1 / G-6, De Soysapura, Morauwa 10400, Sri Lanka 2 Young Zoologists’ Association, Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka 3 Taprobanica Nature Conservation Society, 150/6, Stanly Thilakaratne MW, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka ABSTRACT This paper describes probably the first ever study of butterflies in the Puttalam area, in the Northwestern coastal in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out over a period of one year and observations were made over 92 field days covering both the wet and dry seasons. We categorized five different habitat types within the home gardens. A variety of butterfly fauna was recorded in a 600 m 2 home garden habitat in an urban area. A total of 3569 individuals belonging to 66 species of butterflies were documented. Among the species recorded in the study site, three are categorized as Vulnerable and six as Near Threatened. Migrations of some butterfly species were observed for the first time in the Northwestern dry zone. Further detailed studies on managed landscapes such as home gardens may be useful towards the conservation of butterfly fauna. Keywords: Conservation, Butterflies, Decline, Dryzone, Microhabitats, Sri Lanka The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka comprise one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world (Bossuyt et al., 2004; Meegaskumbura et al., 2002). But unfortunately natural forests in the island are rapidly diminishing as a result of the expansion of human settlements and agricultural land, creating numerous adverse impacts on the rich biodiversity (Bambaradeniya et al., 2003; Senanayake et al., 1977). The total extent of natural forest cover in Sri Lanka constitutes over 12% of the total land area (Tan, 2005). As they are visibly attractive and colorful, the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) form an easily recognizable biotic component of the ecosystem (Asela et al., 2006). The role of the butterflies in an ecosystem is not limited only as herbivores, but also as important pollinators (De Vries, 1979). Besides their attractiveness, butterflies are of interest because they can also be used to monitor environmental conditions including climatic changes (Tati-Subahar et al., 2007). Changes in abundance of butterflies may indicate change in habitat conditions and also the type of elevation (Kunte, 2006).The contribution of butterflies, as well as of other insects, to the rich biodiversity in the island has been relatively underestimated or neglected over the past. The butterflies are an extremely diverse group of charismatic insects in Sri Lanka, which forms a major component in island’s biodiversity (Asela et al., 2009). In Sri Lanka there are 244 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families; out of them 20 (8.19%) species are endemic, and more subspecies are also unique to Sri Lanka (D’abrera, 1998; Perera and Bambaradeniya, 2006; Van der Poorten, 2009; Woodhouse, 1952). Of the total butterfly species in the island, 21 are categorized as critically endangered, while 29 endangered, 16 vulnerable and 53 near threatened in the national list of threatened fauna and flora (IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007). Furthermore, conservation status of 29 species of butterflies has not been evaluated, due to the lack of adequate data. The butterfly fauna in the Puttalam area has not been studied previously. Consequently, the main objective of the present study was to identify the butterflies in Puttalam area.

Butterfly species richness pattern in Puttalam (Sri Lanka)

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Page 1: Butterfly species richness pattern in Puttalam (Sri Lanka)

NeBIO Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012, 93-101

Author for correspondence

D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna

Email: [email protected]

© NECEER, Imphal

Diversity and richness of butterfly fauna in a Home Garden habitat, and its vicinity,

Puttalam District in Sri Lanka

D.M.S. Suranjan Karunarathna1, Anushka Kumarasinghe2, Majintha B. Madawala 2, M.A.J. Saman

Navaratne1 and Dinesh E. Gabadage3 1 Nature Exploration & Education Team, No: B-1 / G-6, De Soysapura, Morauwa 10400, Sri Lanka 2 Young Zoologists’ Association, Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka 3 Taprobanica Nature Conservation Society, 150/6, Stanly Thilakaratne MW, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT

This paper describes probably the first ever study of butterflies in the Puttalam

area, in the Northwestern coastal in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out over a

period of one year and observations were made over 92 field days covering both

the wet and dry seasons. We categorized five different habitat types within the

home gardens. A variety of butterfly fauna was recorded in a 600 m2 home

garden habitat in an urban area. A total of 3569 individuals belonging to 66

species of butterflies were documented. Among the species recorded in the study

site, three are categorized as Vulnerable and six as Near Threatened. Migrations of

some butterfly species were observed for the first time in the Northwestern dry

zone. Further detailed studies on managed landscapes such as home gardens

may be useful towards the conservation of butterfly fauna.

Keywords: Conservation, Butterflies, Decline, Dryzone, Microhabitats, Sri Lanka

The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka comprise one of

the biodiversity hotspots of the world (Bossuyt et al.,

2004; Meegaskumbura et al., 2002). But

unfortunately natural forests in the island are rapidly

diminishing as a result of the expansion of human

settlements and agricultural land, creating numerous

adverse impacts on the rich biodiversity

(Bambaradeniya et al., 2003; Senanayake et al.,

1977). The total extent of natural forest cover in Sri

Lanka constitutes over 12% of the total land area

(Tan, 2005). As they are visibly attractive and

colorful, the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)

form an easily recognizable biotic component of the

ecosystem (Asela et al., 2006). The role of the

butterflies in an ecosystem is not limited only as

herbivores, but also as important pollinators (De

Vries, 1979). Besides their attractiveness, butterflies

are of interest because they can also be used to

monitor environmental conditions including climatic

changes (Tati-Subahar et al., 2007). Changes in

abundance of butterflies may indicate change in

habitat conditions and also the type of elevation

(Kunte, 2006).The contribution of butterflies, as well

as of other insects, to the rich biodiversity in the

island has been relatively underestimated or

neglected over the past.

The butterflies are an extremely diverse group of

charismatic insects in Sri Lanka, which forms a major

component in island’s biodiversity (Asela et al.,

2009). In Sri Lanka there are 244 species of

butterflies belonging to 5 families; out of them 20

(8.19%) species are endemic, and more subspecies

are also unique to Sri Lanka (D’abrera, 1998; Perera

and Bambaradeniya, 2006; Van der Poorten, 2009;

Woodhouse, 1952). Of the total butterfly species in

the island, 21 are categorized as critically

endangered, while 29 endangered, 16 vulnerable and

53 near threatened in the national list of threatened

fauna and flora (IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007).

Furthermore, conservation status of 29 species of

butterflies has not been evaluated, due to the lack of

adequate data. The butterfly fauna in the Puttalam

area has not been studied previously. Consequently,

the main objective of the present study was to

identify the butterflies in Puttalam area.

Page 2: Butterfly species richness pattern in Puttalam (Sri Lanka)

Diversity and richness of butterflies in a Home-garden, Puttalam District in Sri Lanka Karunarathna et al

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 94

Study Area

The study was conducted in a home garden (70 59`

43.52``N and 790 50` 31.46`` E) which is located in

outer periphery of the Puttalam municipality, in

Puttalam District (Figure 1). The Puttalam city is in

the Dry Zone of the northwestern lowlands of Sri

Lanka, and has a moderately hot and dry climate. The

vegetation in this region has been classified as

Tropical dry mixed evergreen forest areas

(Gunatilleke and Gunatilleke, 1990). The mean

annual temperature recorded at the Puttalam

observatory is ~29 0C. The average relative humidity

is 55% and is highest in December. The annual

rainfall for the area is around 1000 – 1500 mm. The

home garden is approximately 600m2 in size, and the

elevation is 5m above the mean sea level. Vegetation

is mainly composed of tree species such as

Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk), Muntingia calabura

(Jam), Mangifera indika (Ambä), Feronia limonia

(Diwul), Syzygium cumini (Mádan), Cocos nucifera

(Pol) and Sesbania grandiflora (Katuru-murunga).

The shrub species such as Punica granatum (Delum),

Cassia auriculata (Ranawara), Psidium guajava

(Përa), Calotropis gigantea (Wara), Zizyphus rugosa

(Eraminiya), Anacardium occidentale (kaju),

Bryophyllum calycinum (Akkapana), Lantana camera

(Ganda-pana), Accacia leucophloea (Katu andara),

Citrus limon (Dehi) and Ixora coccinea (Ratmal)

were commonly found in the area. Some herbaceous

and vines plants include Trianthema portulacastrum

(Sãrana), Sida acuta (Bavila), Tylophora indica (Bin-

nuga), Derris scandens (Kalä wel), Leucas zeylanica

(Tumba), Oldenlandia umbellate (Saya), Tridax

procumbens (Wasu sudu), Sasbania bispinosa,

Synedrella nodiflora and Abrus precatorius (Olinda).

Figure 1. Map showing the urban area in Puttalama town

and study home gardens (source: google map, 2010).

Materials and Methods The study was carried out over a period of one year

starting from 4th

January 2009 to 28th

December

2009. Observations were made over 92 days (8 days

per month), spending six hours per day, consisting of

two sessions of 3 hours each; 0630 hr to 0930 hr in

the morning and 1430 hr to 1730 hr in the afternoon.

General area surveys were carried out in different

sub-habitat types within the home garden. The Shady

grassland (SGL), Open grassland mixed with vines

(OGV), Shady shrub and bushes (SSB), Open shrub

and bushes (OSB), and Tree tops >5m (TRT) were

identified as diverse micro habitats. Principal

methodology used during the assessment was Visual

Encounter Survey (VES) by random field visits. The

field examinations were evenly carried out during

both dry and wet seasons.

Identification of butterflies was done in the field, and

photographs were taken for further verification.

Smaller butterflies were caught using a hand net for

the purpose of taxonomic identification and the

specimens were released to the same habitat from

where it was caught. Importantly none of the

specimens were damaged during its classification

process. Also some tiny butterflies were closely

observed after placing them in a small clear glass

bottle. None of the specimens were collected or

preserved during the research as of conservation

precedence. The species were identified using

following published field guides; Banks and Banks

(1985), Gamage (2007), D’abrera (1998) and

Woodhouse (1952). Food plants and host plants of

butterflies were identified using Ashton et al. (1997),

De Vlas and De Jong (2008) and plant nomenclature

is based on Senaratna (2001). Threatened categories

follow the 2007 national red list (IUCN-SL and

MENR-SL, 2007).

Results and Discussions

During the survey 3569 individuals of butterflies

were recorded from the Puttalam study site over a

twelve-month period. The individual richness was

high in May 10.78% (n=361), June 10.33% (n=346)

and December 10.24% (n=342), where small showers

of rain occurred. But individual numbers are lower

in November 6.60% (n=221), October 6.75% (n=226)

and September 7.80% (n=261), probably due to the

dry climate conditions (Figure 2). Following

mentioned families have been recorded in under

mentioned percentages; Papilionidae 16.05%

(n=573), Pieridae 20.23% (n=722), Nymphalidae

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 95

24.29% (n=867), Lycaenidae 30.51% (n=1089) and

Hesperiidae 8.91% (n=318) respectively. These

families included 66 species and of them one was

endemic. The 66 species of butterflies recorded

during the study represents 27.16% of the total Sri

Lankan butterfly fauna described to date (Table 1).

The species diversity within the families such as,

Papilionidae 15.15% (n=10), Pieridae 15.15%

(n=10), Nymphalidae 34.85% (n=23), Lycaenidae

27.271% (n=18) and Hesperiidae 7.58% (n=5)

respectively. Among the species recorded, three are

listed as Vulnerable, while six species are considered

as Near Threatened. The endemic species recorded is

Troides darsius (Ceylon birdwing), which is known

as the largest butterfly in the island (Perera and

Bambaradeniya, 2006).

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

January

Febru

ary

Marc

h

April

May

June

July

August

Septe

mber

Octo

ber

Novem

ber

Decem

ber

Months

No

. o

f In

div

idu

als

Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Hesperiidae

Figure 2. Individual diversity of the Butterflies families in

twelve months period of 2009 in Puttalama.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

January

Febru

ary

Marc

h

April

May

June

July

August

Septe

mber

Octo

ber

Novem

ber

Decem

ber

Months

No

. o

f S

pecie

s

Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Hesperiidae

Figure 3. Species diversity of the Butterflies families in

twelve months period of 2009 in Puttalama.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Hesperiidae

Families

No

. o

f S

pecie

s

A B C D E

Figure 4. Species diversity of families within the

microhabitat (Abbreviation: A- Shady grassland, B- Open

grassland mixed with vines, C- Shady scrub and bushes, D-

Open scrub and bushes and E- Tree tops >5m).

Figure 5. Front side view of the home gardens in

Puttalama.

Figure 6. Shady areas of the home gardens in Puttalama.

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 96

Table 1. Systematic list of the Butterflies recorded from the Home garden in Puttalama – 2009 (threatened categories were

given by according to IUCN-SL and MENR-SL, 2007). No. Species name Author citation Common name Local name Microhabitat Status

Family - Papilionidae

1 Troides darsius Gray, 1852 Ceylon birdwing Maha kurulu piya papiliya D,E NT

2 Pachliopta hector Linnaeus, 1758 Crimson rose Maha rosa papilia D

3 Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricius, 1775 Common rose Podu rosa papilia D

4 Papilio domoleus Linnaeus, 1758 Lime butterfly Kaha papilia B,D,E

5 Papilio polytes Linnaeus, 1758 Common mormon Kalu papilia B,D,E

6 Papilio polymnestor Cramer, 1775 Blue mormon Maha nilaya D,E

7 Graphium sarpedon Linnaeus, 1758 Blue bottle Nil papilia D,E

8 Graphium doson Felder,1864 Common jay podu papilia D,E

9 Graphium agamemnon Linnaeus, 1758 Tailed jay Kola papilia D,E

10 Pathysa nomius Esper, 1784 Spot swordtail Thith kaga-waligaya D NT

Family - Pieridae

11 Leptosia nina Fabricius, 1793 Psyche Kalu-thith sudda A,B,C,D

12 Delias eucharis Drury,1773 Jezebel Podu Maha-sudda C,D,E

13 Belenois aurota Fabricius,1793 Pioneer Thambiliwan sudana B,D,E

14 Cepora nerissa Fabricius, 1775 Common gull Podu Punduru-sudana B,D

15 Hebomoia glaucippe Linnaeus, 1758 Great orange tip Yoda sudana D,E

16 Catopsilia pyranthe Linnaeus, 1758 Mottled emigrant Thith-piya piyasariya C,D,E

17 Catopsilia pomona Fabricus, 1775 Lemon emigrant Kaha piyasariya C,D,E

18 Pareronia ceylanica Felder, 1865 Dark wanderer Anduru nil piyasariya D,E

19 Colotis amata Fabricius, 1775 Small salmon arab Punchi rosa sudana B,D NT

20 Colotis etrida Boisduval, 1836 Little orange tip Heen sudana B,D NT

Family - Nymphalidae

21 Eurema hecabe Linnaeus, 1764 Common grass yellow Maha kahakolaya B,C,D

22 Eurema blanda Boisduval, 1836 Three-spot grass yellow Thun-thith kahakolaya B,C,D

23 Tirumala limniace Cramer,1775 Blue tiger Podu nil-kotithiya C,D,E

24 Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus, 1758 Plain tiger Podu koti-thambiliya C,D

25 Danaus genutia Cramer, 1779 Common tiger Iri Koti-thambiliya C,D

26 Euploea core Cramer, 1779 Common crow Podu kaka-kotithiyaya C,E

27 Ariadne merione Cramer,1777 Common castor Podu pathan-sariya A,B,C,D NT

28 Cethosia nietneri Felder, 1867 Ceylon lace wing Lanka seda-piyapatha B,C,D NT

29 Junonia lemonias Linnaeus, 1758 Lemon pansy Dumburuwan alankarikya B,D

30 Junonia atlites Linnaeus, 1758 Grey pansy Aluwan alankarikya B,D

31 Junonia iphita Cramer, 1779 Chocolate soldier Podu alankarikya B,C,D

32 Junonia almana Linnaeus, 1758 Peacock pansy Monera alankarikya B,D

33 Hypolimnas bolina Linnaeus, 1756 Great eggfly Maha alankarikya D

34 Hypolimnas misippus Linnaeus, 1758 Danaid eggfly Kela alankarikya D

35 Neptis hylas Linnaeus, 1758 Common sailor Gomara selaruwa D,E

36 Euthalia aconthea Cramer, 1777 Baron Achchilaya C,E

37 Acraea violae Fabricius, 1807 Tawny costor Thambily panduru-boraluwa A,B,C,D

38 Melanitis leda Linnaeus, 1763 Common evening brown Podu dumburuwa A,C

39 Orsotriaena medus Fabricius, 1775 Nigger Maha-iri panduru-dumburuwa A,C

40 Mycalesis perseus Fabricius, 1775 Common bushbrown Podu panduru-dumburuwa A,C

41 Nissanga patnia Moore,1857 Gladeye bushbrown Visithuru panduru-dumburuwa A,C

42 Ypthima ceylonica Hewitson, 1864 White four-ring Podu heen-dumburuwa B,D

43 Elymnias hypermnestra Linnaeus, 1763 Common palmfly Podu thal-dumburuwa A,C

Family - Lycaenidae

44 Spalgis epeus Westwood, 1851 Apefly Wanduru nilaya C,D

45 Curetis thetis Drury, 1773 Indian sunbeam Maha hiru-nilaya D,E

46 Arhopala amantes Hewitson, 1862 Large oakblue Maha gas-nilaya C,D,E

47 Zesius chrysomallus Hubner, 1819 Redspot Rathu-thith gas-nilaya D,E

48 Loxura atymnus Stoll, 1780 Yamfly Kaha gas-nilaya A,B,C,D

49 Rathinda amor Fabricius, 1775 Monkey-puzzle Visituru vanduru nilaya C,D

50 Spindasis vulcanus Fabricius,1775 Common silverline Podu ridee-nilaya B,D

51 Rapala manea Hewitson, 1863 Slate flash Anduru kiranaya B,D VU

52 Jamides bochus Stoll, 1782 Dark cerulean Anduruwan seru-nilaya B,C,D

53 Jamides celeno Cramer, 1775 Common cerulean Podu seru-nilaya B,D,C

54 Lampides boeticus Linnaeus, 1758 Pea blue Maha iri mal-nilaya B,D

55 Syntarucus plinius Fabricius, 1793 Zebra blue Raja iri-neelaya B,D

56 Castalius rosimon Fabricius, 1775 Common pierrot Podu mal-nilaya B,D

57 Freyeria trochilus Freyer, 1845 Grass jewel Ran thruna-nilaya A,B

58 Talicada nyseus Guerin, 1843 Red pierrot Rathu panduru-nilaya C,D

59 Euchrysops cnejus Fabricius, 1798 Gram blue Maha panu-nilaya B,D

60 Chilades lajus Stoll, 1780 Lime blue Podu panu-nilaya B,D

61 Abisara echerius Stoll, 1790 Plum Judy Kela rathambalaya A,C

Family - Hesperiidae

62 Badamia exclamationis Fabricius Brown awl B,D VU

63 Hasora chromus Cramer Common banded awl D,E VU

64 Suastus gremius Moore Indian palm bob A,B,C,D

65 Spalia galba Fabricius Indian skipper B,D

66 Telicota colon Evans Pale palmdart B,D,E

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 97

Figure 7. A. Common rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), B. Lime butterfly (Papilio domoleus), C. Psyche (Leptosia nina), D.

Jezebel (Delias eucharis), E. Pioneer (Belenois aurota), F. Common cerulean (Jamides celeno), G. Mottled emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe), H. Small salmon arab (Colotis amata), I. Little orange tip (Colotis etrida), J. Three-spot grass yellow (Eurema

blanda), K. Blue tiger (Tirumala limniace), L. Common crow (Euploea core), M. Ceylon lace wing (Cethosia nietneri), N.

Peacock pansy (Junonia almana), O. Tawny costor (Acraea viola).

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 98

Figure 8. A. Common bushbrown (Mycalesis perseus), B. White four-ring (Ypthima ceylonica), C. Common palmfly (Elymnias

hypermnestra), D. Large oakblue (Arhopala amantes), E. Yamfly (Loxura atymnus), F. Monkey-puzzle (Rathinda amor), G.

Common Silverline (Spindasis vulcanus), H. Slate Flash (Rapala manea), I. Dark Cerulean (Jamides bochus), J. Pea Blue

(Lampides boeticus), K. Zebra Blue (Syntarucus plinius), L. Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon), M. Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochilus), N. Red pierrot (Castalius rosimon), O. Gram Blue (Euchrysops cnejus), P. Lime Blue (Chilades lajus), Q. Common

Banded Awl (Hasora chromus), R. Indian Palm Bob (Suastus gremius), S. Pale Palmdart (Telicota colon).

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 99

Table 2. Number of species and families of the Butterflies in different micro habitat types in Putalama (Abbreviations:

SGL - the Shady grassland; OGV - open grassland mixed with vines; SSB - shady shrub and bushes; OSB - open shrub

and bushes and TRT - tree tops). Microhabitats No. of Species No. of Individuals No. of Families No. of Endemics

SGL 12 (7.89%) 641 (17.96%) 4 (80%) 0 (0%)

OGV 32 (21.05%) 905 (25.36%) 5 (100%) 0 (0%)

SSB 29 (19.08%) 752 (21.07%) 4 (80%) 0 (0%) OSB 57 (37.50%) 852 (23.87%) 5 (100%) 1 (100%)

TRT 22 (14.47%) 419 (11.74%) 5 (100%) 1 (100%)

Table 3. Number of Individuals were recorded each families of the Butterflies in different micro habitat types in Putalama

(Abbreviations: SGL - the Shady grassland; OGV - open grassland mixed with vines; SSB - shady shrub and bushes; OSB

- open shrub and bushes and TRT - tree tops). Microhabitats Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Hesperiidae Total Proportion

OSB 153 223 212 189 75 852 23.87

SGL 106 151 173 155 56 641 17.96

SSB 129 144 135 277 67 752 21.07

TRT 37 89 129 132 32 419 11.74 OGV 148 115 218 336 88 905 25.36

The species richness become high in May 10.15%

(n=53), June 9.77% (n=51), August 9.39% (n=49)

and stream to the July and April, then after that it

decreases gradually (Figure 3). But individual

numbers are lower in December 6.51% (n=34),

November 6.70% (n=35) and March 7.28% (n=38)

we believe it could be dry condition and wind speed.

Usually, a large number of butterfly species can be

seen in the month of May and typically soon after the

short spells of rain. Months from February to May

are the flowering and fruiting season in the region. In

such months occasional showers are common.

Several larval food plants of the butterfly Family

Danaidae and Papilionidae recorded for the first time

by Van der Poorten and van der Poorten (2011a,b)

were present in this home garden. The species such

as Papilio domoleus, Papilio polytes, Graphium

doson, Leptosia nina, Delias eucharis, Catopsilia

pyranthe, Colotis amata, Eurema hecabe, Danaus

chrysippus, Junonia atlites, Acraea violae, Melanitis

leda, Ypthima ceylonica and Telicota colon to

mention a few were commonly seen, while Troides

darsius, Pathysa nomius, Hebomoia glaucippe,

Pareronia ceylanica, Cethosia nietneri, Syntarucus

plinius and Badamia exclamationis were very rare or

found to be seasonal. The diversity and abundance of

species is highly correlated with the availability of

food plants in the surroundings (Kunte, 2000) and

therefore, more studies will help the management and

conservation of biodiversity in home gardens.

The highest species richness occurred in open shrub

and bushes 37.50% (n=57) followed by open

grassland mixed with vine 21.05% (n=32), shady

shrub and bushes 19.08% (n=29) and tree tops

14.47% (n=22) respectively. Whereas, shady

grassland habitats had the lowest species diversity

7.89% (n=12) (Figure 4). Representation from the

family Hesperiidae was very less compared to the

proportion of Sri Lankan hesperid butterflies (Table

2). It could be partly due to the sampling bias, since

hesperids exhibit crepuscular habit. Hesperiidae

butterflies are active early morning and to a lesser

extent in the evening (Woodhouse, 1952). They are

also seen active in daytime under the shade of the

jungle or out in the open during cloudy weather

(Kunte, 2006). Highest number of hesperids 100 %

(n=5) was recorded in open shrub and bushes habitat,

while lowest hesperids 20 % (n=1) were recorded in

two different habitats (shady grassland / shady shrub

and bushes habitat). A good butterfly garden must

therefore carry a mix of larval host plant that can be

grown successfully in a given geographical area (van

der Poorten and van der Poorten, 2008). In many

instances, agricultural plantations have replaced

indigenous vegetation with monoculture plantations

and it has been found that butterfly species diversity

is considerably lower in such areas compared to

natural forests (Karunarathna et al., 2011).

This home garden is a paradise for butterflies;

because, they do not apply any agro-chemicals and

do not create fires in this home garden. Lowest

number of Pierids 10% (n=1) were observed in shady

grassland, lowest Nymphalids 17.39% (n=4) and

Lycaenids 16.66% (n=3) were recorded in tree tops.

Even though, highest number of Nymphalids 69.56%

(n=16) were recorded from two habitats (shady shrub

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NeBIO I www.nebio.in I Vol. 3, No. 3, September 2012 I 93-101 100

and bushes / open shrub and bushes), and highest

number of Lycaenids 88.88% (n=16) observed only

in open shrub and bushes habitat. Most common

flowering plants and herbs species recorded in the

site were Syzygiun cumini (Mádan), Muntingia

calabura (Jam), Mangifera indika (Ambä), Derris

scandens (Kalä wel), Leucas zeylanica (Tumba),

Oldenlandia umbellate (Saya), Trianthema

portulacastrum (Sãrana), Tridax procumbens (Wasu

sudu), Sasbania bispinosa, Lantana camera (Ganda-

pana), Sida acuta (Bavila), Synedrella nodiflora,

Ixora coccinea (Ratmal) and Bougainvillea.

According to microhabitats and individual

relationship presented in Table 3, the highest

individuals richness occurred in open grassland

mixed with vines 25.36% (n=905), open scrub and

bushes 23.87% (n=852), shady scrub and bushes

21.07% (n=752) and the lowest individuals recoded

from tree top 11.74% (n=419).

Comparison of species richness with several other

available data in the island (e.g., Asela et al., 2006,

2009; Bambaradeniya and Ekanayake, 2003;

Bambaradeniya et al., 2006; Karunarathna et al.,

2008; Perera et al., 2005) reveals that current study

site has a moderate diversity of butterflies, second

only to forest habitats. It is important to mention that

some butterfly species were observed during its

migration towards south. Further they are only

recorded as small groups of 10-20 individuals. Such

species includes Papilio domoleus (Lime butterfly),

Graphium sarpedon (Blue bottle), Hebomoia

glaucippe (Great orange tip), Euploea core (Common

crow), Catopsilia pyranthe (Mottled emigrant) and

Catopsilia Pomona (Lemon emigrant). Despite a

very small area, this home garden is rich in butterfly

fauna, representing all the families of butterflies

recorded in the island. Conservation at national level

requires a legal framework, within which it can be

enforced and furnish comprehensive understanding of

the ecology of butterflies (Van der Poorten and Van

der Poorten, 2008). The air pollution and pesticides

usage of the area may cause the decline of the

diversity of butterflies compared to the forest

habitats. Several records of butterflies and cocoon

smuggling were recorded in Sri Lanka (Gunasekara,

2002). Hence, enhancing the awareness of general

public on butterfly conservation will be crucial.

Many 'common' butterfly species have undergone

serious declines and are in need of greater attention.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Channa

Bambaradeniya for reviewing this manuscript and

valuable ideas provided to us; Mr. Naalin perera, Mr.

Sarath Ekanayake, Mr. Dilup Chandranimal, Mr.

Prasanna Samarawickrama (IUCN Sri Lanka) and

Mr. Himesh Jayasinghe and Mr. Niranjan

Karunarathna (YZA) for their kind help during the

butterfly and floral identification. Also we would like

to thanks Mr. Asanka Udayakumara, Mr. Panduka

Silva, Mr. Tiran Abeyawardane (YZA) and Mr.

Mendis Wickramasinghe (HFS) for their kind support

during the field visits and other courtesies.

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