Influence of Abiotic Factors, Causing changes in Natural Population of Butterflies, with Particular Reference to Climate changes, Food Habits and Habitat in Gir Protected Areas of Gujarat

Abstract

A maximum of 4693 individuals belonging to all the four families of butterflies were collected during the months September to November when the temperature and relative humidity ranged from 27oC to 34oC and 63 to 84 % respectively from Gir Protected Area of Gujarat during two continuous years. Whereas, a minimum count of 1448 individuals belonging to all these four families were noticed during March to May when the temperature and relative humidity ranged from 34oC to 36oC and 42 to 65 % respectively. This fact established that the most favourable and suitable condition of abiotic factors for population build up prevails during September to November when there is a availability of optimum environmental conditions which are required for better growth and development of butterfly species available in the vicinity of the GPA. The study revealed that almost all the butterfly species exhibited their feeding preference towards nectar of their food plants and for that they frequently visit the flowers several times during morning and afternoon times. The butterflies of almost all the families (Pieridae, Papilionidae, Nymphalidae etc.) having their food preference towards different food sources, along-with the nectar of flowers. Mud-puddling behaviour of different species of butterflies and their feeding on various other food sources like animal dung and rotten fruits gives more feeding opportunities and reduces inter and intra-specific competition between them.

Keywords: Abiotic factors; Climate change; Mud puddling; Population fluctuations