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ActaBiologicaSibirica, 2019, 5(3), 188-198, doi:https://doi.org/10.14258/abs.v5.i3.6593
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Butterflies of Athgarh Forest Division, Odisha, Eastern India, with notes on some significant records
Arajush Payra1, Suraj K. Dash1, Udit P. Das2, Himanshu S. Palei3*, Arun K. Mishra4
1 Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation, North Orissa University, Odisha, India 2Department of Zoology, North Orissa University, Odisha, India 3Aranya Foundation, 625/12, Mars Villa, Panchasakha Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India 4Divisional Forest Office, Athgarh Forest Division, Cuttack, Odisha, India * Corresponding author E-mail: arajushpayra@gmail.com
The present paper deals with first annotated list of butterflies from Athgarh Forest Division, Odisha, India. A total of 136 species belongs to six families were recorded during January 2015 to September 2015. Notes on some of the significant record of butterflies for the region, were provided along with their distribution. Among the recorded 136 species of butterflies, 14 species are legally protected under Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Key words: Balikiari Reserve Forest; Tersing; butterfly; checklist; distribution
Introduction
Butterflies occupy vital position in natural ecosystem as their adults are very good pollinators and larvae act as primary herbivores (Choudhury et al., 2012). They directly depend on plants for their entire life span from larval host plant to nectar of flowers and their diversity may serve as a surrogate for plant diversity (Harisha & Hosetti, 2013). Due to their attractive coloured wings and fluttering flight, butterflies always attract the attention of naturalists, researchers, and conservationists. There are about 1501 species of butterflies in Indian subcontinent (Kunte et al., 1999), out of which 150 species have been recorded from Eastern Ghats (Gunathilagaraj et al., 1998), 334 species from Western Ghats (Tiple et al., 2009) and 962 species from North East region (Evans, 1932). In Odisha, first faunistic study on butterfly fauna presented by Taylor & de Niceville (1888). They reported a list of butterflies from Khurda district. Later, Crawford (1921) noted some butterflies from Meghasani hills of Mayurbhanj district and at the same time, Annandale & Dover (1921) published a list on butterflies from the Barkuda Island of Chilka. Afterwards, many noticeable woks on butterflies have been carried out by several workers in different parts of the state (Mandal & Nandi 1984; Mandal & Moulik 1991; Sahu et al. 2006; Sethy et al. 2006; Sethy & Jana 2009; Nair, 2007, 2011; Das & Sahu 2011; Mohapatra et al. 2012; Palei & Rath, 2014; Payra et al. 2016; Paria et al. 2018; Boruah et al. 2019). As there is no literature available on butterfly diversity in Athgarh Forest Division, an attempt was made to strengthen the information on diversity and distribution of butterflies in Odisha through this present study.
Materials and Methods
Athgarh Forest Division situated in Cuttack district comprises of five Ranges i.e. Athgarh, Baramba, Khuntuni, Narasinghpur East and Narasinghpur West over an area of 1510 Km2 (Fig. 1). It is located between latitude 20°21'19.2MN to 20°40'27.6"N and longitude 85°52'0.72" E to 84°55'42.8"E. There are 37 Reserve Forests in Athgarh Division. This division is surrounded by Satkosia Tiger Reserve in the West, Cuttack Forest Division and City Forest Division in the East, Chandaka Wild Life Sanctuary, Nayagarh Forest Division and some part of Mahanadi Wildlife Division in the South and Dhenkanal Forest Division in the North. In Athgarh Forest Division, forest types are mainly Peninsular Sal forest, Dry Mixed-deciduous Forest, small patches of Semi-evergreen forest and Scrub forest (Champion & Seth, 1968). The climate condition of the area experiences three distinct seasons: monsoon (July to September), winter (October to February) and summer (March to June). The area receives an average annual rainfall of 1400 mm to 1500 mm and the temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 42°C in summer.
Fig. 1. Location map of study sites in Athgarh Forest Division, Odisha, Eastern India
Five sites were surveyed for the documentation of butterflies in Athgarh Forest Division.
Site 1 - Dhabaleswar Island (20.503°N, 85.805° E, 19 m a.s.l). It is a small island on Mahanadi River, comes under Khuntuni Range of Athgarh Forest Division. The frequently found plant species of this area are Ficus bengaiensis, Ficus religiosa, Cassia siamea, Sizigium cumuni, Poiyaithiaiongifoiia, Azadirachtaindicaetc. Besides the above, the composites of the shrub forest are Lantana camara, Sida spinosa, Justicia adhatoda, Caiotropisgigantea etc.
Site 2 - Ansupa Lake (20.459°N, 85.602°E, 30 m a.s.l). Ansupa lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes of Odisha spreading over 140 ha, situated at the left bank of Mahanadi River. It is surrounded by undulating plain and isolated hill ranges. The surrounding vegetation of the lake is mainly characterized by Cashew plantation, Agricultural land, patches of bamboo and hilly thorny scrub forest.
Site 3 - Balikiari Reserve Forest (20.552°N, 85.038°E, 233 m a.s.l.). With an area of 5217.87 hectare, this Reserve Forest (RF) is situated in Narsingpur West Range. Small streams flow within this RF mainly in rainy season, but mostly remain dry for rest of the seasons. Mangifera indica, Shorea robusta, Aegle marmelos, Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia latifolia, Diospyros sp, Azadirachta indica are dominated floral components of this region.
Site 4 - Tersing (20.582°N, 85.047°E, 435 m a.s.l.). This is the bordering area between Athgarh Forest Division and Satkosia Tiger Reserve. It lies at an altitude of about 450 m. The dominant trees are mainly Aegle marmelos, Terminalia tomentosa, Shorea robusta, Ficus religiosa, Diosspyros melanoxylon, Syzigium cumini, Cicus sp etc.
Site 5 - Deobhuin Reserve Forest (20.556°N, 85.179°E, 160 m a.s.l.). This reserve forest is situated in Narsingpur East Range with an area of 6082.23 ha. Slow flowing streams, and one waterfall is present within this reserve forest. The vegetation is dominated by Shorea robusta, Xilia xylocarpa, Terminalia tomentosa, Schleichera oleosa, Lagerstroemiaparviflora etc.
Data Collection and Identification
Butterflies were observed through opportunistic survey from January 2015 to September 2015. During this inventory all possible and suitable habitats of butterflies, like agricultural land, forest trails, streams, waterfall, nectaring plants were surveyed. All observations were mainly carried out between 7.00 am to 11.00 am and 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Most of the species were photographed in the field by using Nikon D3200 Camera with Tamron 70-300 mm lens. Coordinates and elevations of study sites were obtained by using Garmine eTrex and Google earth. An entomological net was also used for capturing butterflies, which were released immediately at the spot of capture without any harm. Butterflies were identified using available literature of Evans (1932, 1949), and photographic guidebooks of Haribal (1992) and Kehimkar (2008, 2016) together with website of Indian butterflies (https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/). Scientific names and common names presented according to Kunte et al. (2019), Varshney & Smetacek, (2015).
Results
A total of 136 species of butterflies belonging to six families were recorded in the study area (See Table 1). The most dominant family was Lycaenidae with 41 species (30.15%), followed by Nymphalidae (28.68%, 39 species), Hesperiidae (19.85%, 27 species), Pieridae (11.76%, 16 species), Papilionidae (8.82%, 12 species) and Riodinidae (1 species, 0.74%). Notes on some of the significant records of butterflies were provided below along with their distribution.
Table 1. List of the recorded butterflies from Athgarh Forest Division, Odisha, Eastern India
Sl.No Family / Scientific Name Common Name Study Sites Figure number
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Family Hesperiidae
1 Hasora chromus(Cramer, [1780]) Common Banded Awl + + + 2a
2 Hasora vitta (Butler, 1870) Plain Banded Awl + 2o
3 Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius, 1775) Brown Awl + + + 2b
4 Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Kollar, [1844]) Common Spotted Flat +
5 Coladenia indrani(Moore, [1866]) Tricolour Pied Flat + + + 2c
6 Tagiades litigiosa Möschler, 1878 Water Snow Flat + + + 2d
7 Tagiades japetus (Stoll, [1781]) Common Snow Flat + + + + +
8 Caprona ransonnettii(R. Felder, 1868) Golden Angle + + + + 2e
9 Sarangesa dasahara (Moore, [1866]) Common Small Flat + + + + 2f
10 Spialiagalba (Fabricius, 1793) Indian Skipper + +
11 Ampittia dioscorides(Fabricius, 1793) Bush Hopper + + + 2g
12 iambrixsalsala (Moore, [1866]) Chestnut Bob + + + + +
13 Suastus gremius (Fabricius, 1798) Indian Palm Bob + + + +
14 Zographetus satwa de Nicéville, 1884 Purple-and-gold Flitter + 2h
15 Udaspes folus(Cramer, [1775]) Grass Demon + + + 2i
16 Notocrypta curvifascia (C. & R. Felder, 1862) Restricted Demon + 2j
17 Notocryptaparalysos(Wood-Mason & de Nicéville, 1881) Common Banded Demon + +
18 Hyarotisadrastus(Stoll, [1780]) Tree Flitter +
19 Matapa aria (Moore, [1866]) Common Redeye + + + + +
20 Oriensgoloides(Moore, [1881]) Ceylon Dartlet + + +
21 Potanthus sp. Dart + 2k
22 Telicota sp. Palm Dart + + +
23 Parnara sp. Swift + + + +
24 Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius, 1798) Small Branded Swift + + + + 2n
25 Baoris farri (Moore, 1878) Paint-brush Swift + + + 2l
26 Halpeporus(Mabille, [1877]) Moore's Ace + + + 2m
27 Caltoris sp. Swift +
Family Papilionidae
28 Graphium doson (C. & R. Felder, 1864) Common Jay + + + + +
29 Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758) Tailed Jay + + + + +
30 Graphium nomius(Esper, 1799) Spot Swordtail + + + 3a
31 Graphium antiphates(Cramer, [1775]) Five-bar Swordtail +
32 Papilio polymnestor Cramer, [1775] Blue Mormon + + + + + 3b
33 Papilio crino Fabricius, 1793 Common Banded Peacock + + + + + 3c
34 Papilio nephelus Boisduval, 1836 Yellow Helen + +
35 Papilio polytes Linnaeus, 1758 Common Mormon + + + + + 3d
36 Papilio clytia Linnaeus, 1758 Common Mime + + + + + 3f, 3g
37 Pachliopta hector(Linnaeus, 1758) Crimson Rose + + 3j
38 Pachliopta aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775) Common Rose + + + + 3i
39 Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 Lime Butterfly + + + + + 3h
Family Pieridae
40 Selene/isaurota Fabricius, 1793 Pioneer + + 4a
41 Cepora nerissa Fabricius, 1775 Common Gull + + + + + 4b
42 Delias eucharis Drury, 1773 Common Jezebel + + + + +
43 Delias hyparete Linnaeus, 1758 Painted Jezebel + 4c
44 Appias olferna Swinhoe, 1890 Eastern Striped Albatross + + + +
45 Leptosia nina Fabricius, 1793 Psyche + + + + +
46 Ixias marianne(Cramer, [1779]) White Orange-tip + 4d
47 Ixias pyrene (Linnaeus, 1764) Yellow Orange-tip + + +
48 Pareronia hippia Fabricius, 1787 Common Wanderer + + + + + 4e
49 Catopsiliapomona Fabricius, 1775 Lemon Emigrant + + + + + 4f
50 Catopsiliapyranthe Linnaeus, 1758 Mottled Emigrant + + + + +
51 Eurema brigitta Stoll, 1780 Small Grass Yellow + + + + +
52 Eurema laeta Boisduval, 1836 Spotless Grass Yellow + + +
53 Eurema blanda Boisduval, 1836 Threespot Grass Yellow + + + + 4i
54 Eurema hecabe Linnaeus, 1758 Common Grass Yellow + + + + + 4g
55 Eurema andersonii(Moore, 1886) Onespot Grass Yellow + + + 4h
Family Riodinidae
56 Abisara bifasciata Moore, 1877 Double-banded Judy + + + 5a
Family Lycaenidae
57 Spalgis epeus (Westwood, [1851]) Apefly + +
58 Curetis thetis(Drury, [1773]) Indian Sunbeam + + + +
59 Prosotasnora Felder, 1860 Common Lineblue + + + +
60 Prosotas dubiosa Semper, 1879 Tailless Lineblue + + + + 5c
61 Petreaaea dana (de Niceville, [1884]) Dingy Lineblue 5b
62 Caleta decidia (Hewitson, 1876) Angled Pierrot + + + 5d
63 Jamides bochus Stoll, 1782 Dark Cerulean + + + + + 5e
64 Jamides celeno Cramer, 1775 Common Cerulean + + + + +
65 Catochrysops Strabo (Fabricius, 1793) Forgetmenot + + + + 5f
66 Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) Pea Blue + + + +
67 Leptotes plinius (Fabricius, 1793) Zebra Blue + + + + 5g
68 Castalius rosimon (Fabricius, 1775) Common Pierrot + + + + +
69 Tarucus sp. Pierrot + + + + 5h
70 Tarucusananda(de Niceville, [1884]) Dark Pierrot + 5i
71 Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) Dark Grass Blue + + + +
72 Pseudozizeeria ma ha Kollar, 1844 Pale Grass Blue + + + + +
73 Zizina otis Fabricius, 1787 Lesser Grass Blue + + + + +
74 Zizula hylax (Fabricius, 1775) Tiny Grass Blue + +
75 Everes lacturnus Godart, 1824 Indian Cupid + + + 5j
76 Neopithecopszalmora Butler, 1870 Quaker + + + + +
77 Megisba malaya (Horsfield, [1828]) Malayan + + + 5k
78 Acytolepispuspa (Horsfield, [1828]) Common Hedge Blue + + + 5l
79 Euchrysops cnejus(Fabricius, 1798) Gram Blue + + + +
80 Chi/ades lajus(Stoll, [1780]) Lime Blue + + + + +
81 Chilades pandava (Horsfield, [1829]) Plains Cupid + + + + +
82 Chilades parrhasius Fabricius, 1793 Small Cupid + 5m
83 Freyeria putli(Kollar, [1844]) Grass Jewel + + + +
84 Anthene emolus(Godart, [1824]) Ciliate Blue + + + +
85 Anthene lycaenina (R. Felder, 1868) Pointed Ciliate Blue +
86 Spindasis vulcanus(Fabricius, 1775) Common Silverline + + + + +
87 Spindasis syama (Horsfield, [1829]) Club Silverline + + 5n
88 Spindasis lohita (Horsfield, [1829]) Long-banded Silverline + 5o
89 Arhopaia atrax(Hewitson, 18e2) Indian Oakblue + + + +
90 Arhopaia amantes Hewitson, 18e2 Large Oakblue + + +
91 Ambiypodia anita Hewitson, 18e2 Purple Leaf Blue + + + +
92 Loxura atymnus Stoii, 1?80 Yamfly + + + + +
93 Chiiaria othona (Hewitson, 186S) Orchid Tit + Sp
94 Virachüia isocrates (Fabricius, 1?93) Common Guava Blue + + Sq
9S Rapaia varuna Horsfieid, 1829 Indigo Flash + + Sr
9e Rapaia manea Hewitson, ^3 Slate Flash + + + +
9? Rapaia iarbus (Fabricius, 1?8?) Indian Red Flash + +
Famiiy Nymphaiidae
98 Parantica aglea Stoll, 1782 Glassy Tiger + + ea
99 Tirumala limniace Cramer, 1775 Blue Tiger + + + + +
100 Danaus genutia Cramer 1779 Common Tiger + + + + +
101 Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus, 1758 Plain Tiger + + + + +
102 Euploea core (Cramer, [1780]) Common Indian Crow + + + + + eb
103 Melanitisleda Linnaeus, 1758 Common Evening Brown + + + + +
104 Elymnias hypermnestra Linnaeus,1763 Common Palmfly + + + + +
10S Lethe europa(Fabricius, 1775) Bamboo Treebrown + + +
10e Lethe rohria Fabricius, 1787 Common Treebrown + 6c
10? Mycalesis perseus Fabricius, 1775 Common Bushbrown + + + + + ed
108 Orsotriaena medus Fabricius, 1775 Nigger + +
109 Ypthima huebneri Kirby, 1871 Common Fourring + + + + +
110 Ariadne ariadne Linnaeus, 1763 Angled Castor + + + + +
111 Ariadne merione Cramer, 1777 Common Castor + +
112 Phalantaphalantha Drury, 1773 Common Leopard + + + + +
113 Vanessa cardui Linnaeus, 1758 Painted Lady + +
114 Junonia hierta Fabricius, 1798 Yellow Pansy + + + +
11S Junonia orithya Linnaeus, 1758 Blue Pansy + + + +
11e Junonia lemonias Linnaeus, 1758 Lemon Pansy + + + + +
11? Junonia almana Linnaeus, 1758 Peacock Pansy + + + + +
118 Junonia atlites Linnaeus, 1763 Grey Pansy + + + + +
119 Junonia iphita Cramer, 1779 Chocolate Pansy + + + + +
120 Kallima inachus Doyere, 1840 Orange Oakleaf + + +
121 Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) Danaid Eggfly + 6e
122 Hypolimnas bolina Linnaeus, 1758 Great Eggfly + + + + +
123 Cyrestis thyodamas Doyère, 1840 Common Map + +
124 Neptis hylas Linnaeus, 1758 Common Sailer + + + + +
12S Neptissappho Pallas, 1771 Pallas Sailer + + + 6f, 6g
12e Pantoporia hordonia Stoll, 1790 Common Lascar + + + eh
12? Athyma perius Linnaeus, 1758 Common Sergeant + + +
128 Moduza procris Cramer, 1777 Commander + + + + +
129 Tanaecia lepidea Butler, 1868 Grey Count + + + + 6i
130 Symphaedra nais (Forster, 1771) Baronet + + + ej
131 Euthalia aconthea Cramer, 1777 Baron + + + + 6k
132 Euthalia lubentina Cramer, 1777 Gaudy Baron +
133 Polyura athamas (Drury, [1773]) Common Nawab + + + 6i
134 Charaxessolon Fabricius, 1793 Black Rajah + +
13S Charaxes bernardus Fabricius, 1793 Tawny Rajah +
ne Acraea terpsicore(Linnaeus, 1758) Tawny Coster + + + + +
Hasora wtta(Butler, 1870) - Plain Banded Awl (Hesperiidae) (Fig. 2o)
A single individual was photographed at 11:25 (here and below local time, UTC+05:30) on 04.10.2015 in Deobhuin Reserve forest. This hesprid butterfly was perching under the leaf, at about 2 m height from the ground, along the forest trail. This butterfly ranges from Sikkim to Northeast India; Maharashtra to Goa up to Kerala (Varshney & Smetacek, 2015). From Odisha, previously it was recorded from single locality, Mundasaru in Kandhamal District by Vivek Sarkar on 08.06.2013
(Kunte, 2019). Most recently this species has been reported from Maredumill, and Jalatarangini area of the adjoining state, Andhra Pradesh (Goswami et al., 2018). Apart from the record of Vivek Sarkar from Kandhamal District, no such decisive record of this butterfly is available from Odisha.
Fig. 2. Photographs of Hesperidae butterflies: a - Hasora chromus, b - Badamia exclamationis, c - Coladenia indrani, d -Tagiadeslitigiosa Moschler, 1878; e - Capronaransonnettii, f - Sarangesa dasahara; g - Ampittia dioscorides, h - Zographetus satwa; i - Udaspes folus, j - Notocrypta curvifascia; k - Potanthus sp.; l - Baoris farri, m - Haipe porus, n - Peiopidas mathias, o - Hasora vitta
Zographetussatwade Nicéville, 1884 - Purple and Gold Flitter (Hesperiidae) (Fig. 2h)
We have recorded this species several times from different places of Balikiari Reserve Forest, during September 2015. On 01.09 we recorded two individuals. First, we spotted it at 11:50, near a stream. It was perching on shrubs at about 1m above the ground. Later it was recorded during 15:05, at about 1km distance from the first place of observation. It was perching on shrubs under dense canopy cover. On 02.09, we have encountered this species twice, Near the Sishupathra dam. This butterfly ranges from Uttarakhand to Northeast India (Varshney & Smetacek, 2015). Previously, from Odisha only single record was available from same locality, i.e., Balikiari Reserve Forest, by Vivek Sarkar during September 2012 (Anonymous, 2019).
Fig 3. Photographs of Papilionidae butterflies: a - Graphium nomius, b - Papilio polymnestor, c - Papilio crino, d - Papilio polytes, f - Papilio clytia (form dissimilis); g - Papilio clytia (form clytia); h - Papilio demoleus, i - Pachliopta aristolochiae; j -Pachliopta hector
Fig 4. Photographs of Pieridae butterflies: a - Belenoisaurota, b - Cepora nerissa, c - Delias hyparete, d - Ixias marianne, e -Pareronia hippia, f - Catopsilia pomona, g - Eurema hecabe, h - Eurema andersonii, i - Eurema blanda
Potanthussp. - Dart (Hesperiidae) (Fig. 2k)
One individual was photographed near Tersing on 03.09.2015 at 09:35 it was perching on the small shrubs, near the fast-flowing hill stream. Until this date, no record is available of Potanthus sp. from Odisha. Recently the Genus has been reported from adjacent state Andhra Pradesh (Goswami et al., 2018). As Goswami et al. (2018) mentioned, without examination of genitalia species the identification is very difficult in this butterfly group. Further examination of specimen is required to validate the occurrence of this species in Odisha. Tarucusananda(de Nicéville, [1884]) - Dark Pierrot (Lycaenidae) (Fig. 5i)
On 03.09.2015, a single individual of Dark Pierrot Tarucusanandawas sighted from Tersing (Site 4) at 11:40. It was puddling on pond side sandy soil, along with other butterflies such as Common Mormon Papiliopolytes, Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia and Common Nawab Polyura athamas. The distribution of this tiny butterfly is mainly from South-West India to North Maharastra, Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh, Central Nepal, North East India and Burma to Dawnas (Evans, 1932; Kehimkar, 2008; Varshney & Smetacek, 2015). In Odisha previously Vivek Sarkar recorded it during June 2013 from Balgaon Range of Khordha district (Churi, 2019). Our present record confirms its occurrence in Odisha. Chliaria othona (Hewitson, 1865) - Orchid Tit (Lycaenidae) (Fig. 5p)
Single individual was recoded from Balikiari Reserve Forest, on 05.03.2015, at 11:35. It was puddling on sandy streambed. Place was covered by dense canopy cover. According to Varshney & Smetacek (2015), this species ranges from Uttarakhand to Northeast India, Maharashtra to Karala. In Odisha previously Vivek Sarkar recorded it during June 2013 from Balgaon Range of Khordha district. Most recently, Subhajit Roy records it during June 2019 from Similipal National Park of Mayurbhanj District (Ogale et al., 2019).
Neptissappho Pallas, 1771 - Pallas Sailer (Nymphalidae) (Fig. 6f & 6g)
Fig 5. Photographs of Riodinidae and Lycaenidae butterflies: a - Abisara bifasciata, b - Petrelaea dana, c - Prosotas dubiosa, d - Caleta decidia, e - Jamides bochus, f - Catochrysops Strabo, g - Leptotes plinius, h - Tarucus sp, i - Tarucus ananda, j -Everes lacturnus, k - Megisba malaya, l - Acytolepispuspa, m - Chiladesparrhasius, n - Spindasis syama, o - Spindasis lohita, p - Chliaria othona, q - Virachola isocrates, r - Rapala varuna
Fig. 6. Photographs of Nymphalidae butterflies: a - Parantica aglea b - Euploea core; c - Lethe rohria d - Mycalesisperseus e - Hypolimnas misippus ; f - Neptis Sappho (upper side); g - Neptis Sappho (under side); h - Pantoporia hordonia ; i -Tanaecia lepidea j - Symphaedra nais k - Euthalia aconthea l - Polyura athamas
Fig. 7. Photographs of some butterfly congregation: a - Papilio polytes, Graphium doson, Papilio demoleus and Polyura athamas at Deobhuin Reserve Forest feeding on crab carcass and crab carcass mixed water; b - Eurema blanda, Eurema hecabe, Eurema andersonii, Caleta decidia and Castalius rosimon at Deobhin Reserve Forest puddling on forest trail; c - E andersonii feeding on tree trunk sap; d - Catopsiliapomona, Catopsiliapyranthe and Ixias marianne puddling on mud at Ansupa Lake; e - Prosotas dubiosa, Petrelaea dana, C. decidia, Leptotes plinius, Megisba malaya and Chilades pandava puddling at Balikiari Reserve Forest; f - P. demoleus and C. pomona puddling on mud, near Sishupathra dam of Balikiari Beat
So far, this species has been known to distribute from Indian Himalaya and Northeastern India (Varshney & Smetacek, 2015). Recently, the species has been recorded from Araku Valley and Maredumilli of Andhra Pradesh (Goswami et al., 2018). We spotted two individuals near Tersing on 03.09.2015 at 09:40. As Goswami et al. (2018) mentioned, this species can be differentiated from closely relative N. hylas, by "the veins in under-hindwing is not blackened and, in the forewing not blackened at least till cell" (Evans, 1932). Hence, our present record confirms its occurrence in Odisha for the first time.
Discussion
The dominant occurrence of Lycenidae and Nymphalidae butterflies in the study area might be due to the availability of host plants and nectaring plants (Mimosaceae, Acanthaceae, Poaceae, Malvaceae, Fabaceae), as the habitat association of butterflies can be directly related to the availability of larval host plants, vegetation cover of herbs, shrubs and trees for nectaring (Thomas, 1995; Kunte, 2000).
Among the recorded 136 species, 113 species of butterflies were found from Balikiari Reserve Forest (Site 3), 105 species from Deobhuin Reserve Forest (Site 5), 88 from Ansupa Lake (Site 2), 84 from Tersing (Site 4) and 78 species from Dhabaleswar Island (Site 1). Result of high number of species in Balikiari and Deobhuin Reserve Forest compare to other sites like Tersing and Dhabaleswar Island, may be due to the longer period of surveys rather than true species richness. As site Tersing also endowed with pristine habitats, which can be suitable for many butterfly species those are yet to explore. Out of 136 species of butterflies, 14 species are legally protected under Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (see Table 2).
Table 2. Legally protected butterflies of Athgarh Forest Division under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA).
WPA Schedule Family Scientific Name
Schedule I Papilionidae Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus, 1758)
Schedule I Lycaenidae Chliaria othona (Hewitson, 1865)
Schedule II Lycaenidae Euchrysops cnejus(Fabricius, 1798)
Schedule II Lycaenidae Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767)
Schedule II Lycaenidae Rapala varuna Horsfield, 1829
Schedule II Lycaenidae Spindasis lohita (Horsfield, [1829])
Schedule II Nymphalidae Tanaecia lepidea Butler, 1868
Schedule II Nymphalidae Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)
Schedule IV Hesperiidae Hasora vitta (Butler, 1870)
Schedule IV Hesperiidae Hyarotis adrastus (Stoll, [1780])
Schedule IV Hesperiidae Baoris farri (Moore, 1878)
Schedule IV Lycaenidae Tarucus ananda (de Niceville, [1884])
Schedule IV Nymphalidae Euthalia lubentina Cramer, 1777
Schedule IV Nymphalidae Euploea core (Cramer, [1780])
In Athgarh Forest division various anthropogenic activities (e.g. wood cutting, grazing, logging, looping, herb collection etc.) by local villagers is a matter of concern, which leads to the destruction of suitable habitats of Butterfly fauna around Athgarh Forest Division. Butterflies are very sensitive insects. A little change in environmental condition and habitat alteration can influence their distribution and abundance (Wynter-Blyth, 1957). Therefore, habitat fragmentation, vegetation loss, grazing pressure, human settlement or any other damaging activities are mainly responsible for loss of diversity of both butterflies and plants in the study area must be regulated. Public awareness is also very important to conserve the suitable habitats of these ecologically important invertebrate organisms. However, the present study provides the baseline information of butterfly fauna of Athgarh Forest Division and enriches the butterfly checklist of Odisha. Further studies on Butterfly fauna is very necessary to understand the seasonal variation and population dynamics of butterflies in this precise geographical area.
Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to Mr. Isaac Kehimkar (Director of INaturewatch Foundation, India), Mr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi (Scientist-A, BNHS, India), and Mr. Gaurab Nandi Das for their valuable suggestions during identification. Authors are thankful to the Forest staffs of Athgarh Forest division for their kind assistance during survey period.
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Citation:
Arajush Payra, Suraj K. Dash, Udit P. Das, Himanshu S. Palei, Arun K. Mishra (2019). Butterflies of Athgarh Forest Division, Odisha, Eastern India, with notes on some significant records. Acta BioOgica Sibirica, 5 (3), 188-198. Submitted: 17.07.2019. Accepted: 23.09.2019. erossrcf http://dx.doi.org/10.14258/abs.v5.i3.6593
© 2019 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
