Factors Influencing Nectar Plant Resource Visits by Butterflies on a University Campus: Implications for Conservation

Abstract

Floral attributes are well known to infl uence nectar-feeding butterfl ies. However, very little information is available on butterfl y species and their nectar host plant relationships from north central India. The present study was carried out on Amravati University Campus from July 2004 to January 2005. A total of 48 butterfl y species was recorded belonging to fi ve families and included fi ve species previously unrecorded on the campus. Nineteen nectar host plants were identifi ed belonging to 12 plant families. Visits of butterfl ies were more frequent to fl owers with tubular corollas than to non tubular ones, to fl owers of herbs and shrubs rather than trees, to fl owers coloured red, yellow, blue and purple than those coloured white and pink, and to fl ower sources available for longer periods in the year. Flower abundance, fl owering period, fl ower colour and fl ower shape correlate signifi cantly with plant habit, trees having sparser fl owers generally with shorter fl owering periods, less bright colours and non tubular fl ower shapes. A number of butterfl ies were observed to visit more (Danaus chrysippus, Tirumala septentrionis) or fewer fl ower (Zizula hylax) sources than expected and one plant (Bauhinia purpurea) had fewer visiting butterfl y species than expected. The observations support the value of the university campus in providing valuable resources for butterfl ies.