RESEARCH ARTICLE

BUTTERFLY SPECIES DIVERSITY IN A SEMI URBANIZED LANDSCAPE IN KURUNEGALA, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Butterfly species diversity was studied in a semi urbanized landscape in Thorayaaya area in Kurunegala district from March 2017 to February 2018. Sampling process was conducted on a randomly selected day per a week from morning 7am-11am, to evening 3pm-6pm following the “Pollard Walk” method, on two line transects of 500m each in length. All butterflies and preferred plant species were identified using taxonomic keys. Based on the frequency of individual sighting, butterfly species were divided into 3 categories as common (>30 sightings), uncommon (16 – 30 sightings) and rare (<15 sightings). Butterflies belonging to 51 species and 5 families were recorded. Highest butterfly species richness was recorded from family Nymphalidae with 19 species (38%), followed by family Lycanidae with 11 species (22%), family Pieriedae with 10 species (20%), family Papilionoidea with 6 species (11%) and family Hesperidae with 5 species (11%). Most frequently sighted families during this survey were Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae followed by Pieridae,Papilionoidae and Hesperiidae respectively. This include 2 endemic species: Sri Lanka lesser albatross (Appias galena) and Sri lanka pale six lineblue (Nacaduba sinhala) along with 25 migratory species, 1 vulnerable species: Sri Lanka pale six lineblue (Nacaduba sinhala) and two near threatened species: The Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis musicanos) and the Smallest swift (Parnara bada bada). At the study site 38 larval food plants were also recorded. The resulted high butterfly species diversity in the area can be attributed to the availability of flowering plants in the area and to the tendency of planting flowering plants in human modified landscapes. The present study reveals the fact that, though the landscape is becoming urbanized, butterfly fauna can be conserved and managed by simply providing plant species necessary for the survival and reproduction of butterflies in the associated land area.

Keywords: Butterflies, semi urbanized area, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

How to Cite: Nishshanke,N.L.W,Prabath,M.C, (2018). BUTTERFLY SPECIES DIVERSITY IN A SEMI URBANIZED LANDSCAPE IN KURUNEGALA, SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 6(3):Pages 133-146

Published On:2018-09-30

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