Additional distribution records of the rare Nepal Comma Polygonia c-album agnicula (Moore, 1872) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from  Rara National Park, Nepal

Suwal, Sanej Prasad; Shrestha, Biraj; Pandey, Binita; Shrestha, Suraj; Nepali, Prithivi Lal; Rokaya, Kaashi Chandra; Shrestha, Bimal Raj

doi:10.11609/jott.4899.11.14.14902-14905

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Many studies of butterflies in the Western and Southern Himalayas have recorded a high diversity of butterflies (Arya & Dayakrishna, 2014; Kumar et al., 2017; Singh & Sondhi, 2016; Tyagi et al., 2011; Uniyal & Mathur, 1998) and a few more studies have examined butterfly‐plant interactions (Arya et al., 2020; Nimbalkar et al., 2011; Tiple et al., 2005, 2009). While there have been many studies on butterflies from different parts of Nepal (in the Central Himalayan region) (Bhusal & Khanal, 2008; Khanal, 2006; Khanal et al., 2013, 2014; Rai, 2017; Smith & Majupuria, 2006; Suwal et al., 2019), previous studies have focused on the diversity, taxonomy, and distribution of butterflies, and few studies have examined butterfly‐plant interactions (Nepali et al., 2018; Shrestha et al., 2020). However, extensive ecological studies to determine the factors that influence butterfly foraging choices are crucial to improve the ecological utility of butterflies and to preserve them as indicator taxa (Zhang et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal

Subedi

Stewart

Neupane

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Floral attributes often influence the foraging choices of nectar‐feeding butterflies, given the close association between plants and these butterfly pollinators. The diversity of butterflies is known to a large extent in Nepal, but little information is available on the feeding habits of butterflies. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland from January to December 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices. In total, we recorded 1535 individuals of 138 species representing all six families. For our examination of butterfly–nectar plant interactions, we recorded a total of 298 individuals belonging to 31 species of butterfly visiting a total of 28 nectar plant species. Overall, total butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral color (yellow white and purple preferred over pink), and corolla type (tubular preferred over nontubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers. Examining each butterfly family separately revealed that, for four of the families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae), none of the tested factors (flower color, plant category, and corolla type) were shown to significantly influence butterfly abundance at flowers. However, Hesperidae abundance was found to be significantly influenced by both flower color (with more butterflies observed at yellow flowers than purple) and flower type (with more butterflies observed at tubular flowers than nontubular flowers). Our results reveal that Rupa Lake is a suitable habitat for butterflies, providing valuable floral resources. Hence, further detailed studies encompassing all seasons, a greater variety of plants, and other influential factors in different ecological regions are fundamental for creating favorable environments to sustain important butterfly pollinators and help create balanced wetland ecosystems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal

Subedi

Stewart

Neupane

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While there have been many studies on butterflies from different parts of Nepal (Smith and Majupuria, 2006;Khanal, 2006;Bhusal and Khanal, 2008;Khanal et al, 2013;Khanal et al, 2014;Rai, 2017;Suwal et al, 2019), previous studies have focused on the diversity, taxonomy and distribution of butterflies, and few studies have examined butterfly-plant interactions (Nepali et al, 2018;Shrestha et al, 2020). However, extensive ecological studies to determine the factors that influence butterfly foraging choices are crucial to improve the ecological utility of butterflies and to preserve them as indicator taxa.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa wetland of Nepal

Subedi

Stewart

Neupane

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The diversity of butterflies is known to some extent in Nepal, but the study of their interactions with nectar plant sources and floral attributes is limited. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland, a Ramsar site, from February to November 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices at nectar plants. We assessed the number of butterfly species, their abundance, and their floral foraging behavior, from 28 linear transects (500 m long each) placed in a stratified and random manner throughout the study area. Five factors, i.e., category of plant, flower colour, corolla shape, corolla depth, and the proboscis length of butterfly species were taken into account to assess the nectar plant choices of butterfly families. Moreover, species diversity at the family level, and overall, were determined through several indices. When examining overall butterfly diversity and abundance, we recorded a total of 1,535 butterflies belonging to 138 species within six families. For our examination of butterfly-nectar plant observations, we recorded a total of 298 individuals belonging to 31 species of butterfly visiting a total of 28 nectar plant species. Among the recorded butterflies, Zemeros flegyas was found to be the most abundant (92 individuals), while only a single individual each of the species Troides helena, Gandaca herina and Belonois aurota were recorded. Of the 28 nectar host plant species, Biden pilosa was the most popular and was visited by 13 species of butterflies. Overall, total butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral colour (yellow, white, and purple preferred over pink), and corolla shape (tubular preferred over non-tubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.466) between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers (p<0.001).

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Additional distribution records of the rare Nepal Comma Polygonia c-album agnicula (Moore, 1872) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from Rara National Park, Nepal

Abstract: Nepal Comma is a rare butterfly species of Nepal. Here we provide new distributional locality range of Nepal comma Polygonia c-album agnicula Moore, 1872 from Rara. The butterfly species observed were photographed and identified in the field. Not any samples were collected.

Cited by 2 publications

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Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa Wetland of Nepal

Butterfly species diversity and their floral preferences in the Rupa wetland of Nepal

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