Ecobiological interaction between the Pierides and their floral associates: An estimate of native environmental hygiene

Abstract

The abundance of lepidopterans over a continuum of successional stages in terrestrial landscapes acts as a potential measure of environmental hygiene and conservational urgency. Butterflies, often threatened with risks of alteration at the landscape matrices may be chosen as bioindicator due to their well-known ecology and the existing standard tools for methodical documentations. Present study area, located in a small township at North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, represents habitats with multiple vegetation profile and anthropogenic interventions. Ecological and ethological associations of two moderate to highly abundant pierids, the Whites and Yellows, to their nectar and non-nectar host plants providing nutritional, reproductive and developmental resources in these habitats are documented. Seasonal variations are considered as underlying factors shaping up the community structure. On basis of minute and detailed field observations, both species are documented to show periodic co-occurrences, habitat co-existence and similarity in host preferences. Whereas specificity reported in case of host dependence, flight profile and basking activities and scavenging pattern. The main objective is to figure out the functional role of the host and nectar plants to maintain the local pierid populations.