Butterfly diversity (Lepidoptera: Rhophalocera) associated with nectar feeding on Ziziphus mauritiana Lamarck (Rosales: Rhamnaceae) flowers in Chuadanga, Bangladesh

Abstract

A study was conducted during the flowering season of Ziziphus mauritiana from September 2015 to October 2015 in Belgachi Railgate Para, Chuadanga, Bangladesh. The study recorded 265 individuals of 39 butterfly species belonging to five families and 32 genera nectar feeding on Z. mauritiana flowers. Amongst the families, Lycaenidae was dominant with 33.33% (n=13). Amongst the species Parnara bada (Moore, 1878) (Hesperiidae) was the most dominant species followed by Ypthima baldus (Fabricius, 1775) (Nymphalidae). Virachola isocrates (Fabricius, 1793) (Lycaenidae) spent the maximum time (60–120 sec) nectar feeding on Z. mauritiana amongst the 39 species sampled.

Keywords

• chuadanga
• lycaenidae
• <i>parnara bada
• virachola isocrates
• ziziphus mauritiana</i>