Species diversity and habitat association of butterflies around 30 km radius of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant area of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A detailed study on the butterfly species diversity was carried around 30 km radius of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant area, Tirunelveli, India during 2011-2013. The survey yielded 6347 individuals of 64 species, belonging to the families Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Papilionidae and Hesperiidae. A total of 64 species of butterflies belonging to 47 genera were recorded. The relative abundance was high for Nymphalidae (27 species) (41.93%) followed by Pieridae 15 (24.19%), Lycaenidae 11 (16.12%), Papilionidae 7 (11.29%) and Hesperiidae 4 (6.45%). The Nymphalidae were found to be the dominant family in terms species, general and individual relative abundance. Eight species of butterflies are listed as endangered in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Such studies on monitoring the species diversity and abundance of butterflies offer valuable information on their population dynamics. A detailed study on ecologically important local butterfly fauna in various habitats is in progress to construct a various habitat survey around 30 km radius of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant area.