Understanding the seasonality of butterflies in maragamuwa regenerating forest

Abstract

Butterflies are important faunal group in eco-tourism, because of their attractiveness and occurrence throughout the country. A study was carried out to identify the seasonal variation in abundance of butterflies and correlation between climatic factors and temporal variation, therefore, selecting a suitable period to observe butterflies with regards to ecotourism. Research was carried out in a regenerating forest at Maragamuwa in Naula in Matale district, which is in intermediate zone and has a long dry period and a short wet period per year. Dry season spans from May to November, and wet period from December to April. The study was conducted for one year from June 2013. Butterfly abundance and climatic data were collected once in every week. Line transects were used to sample butterflies. Five, 100m long transects were established. All the visible butterfly species, their abundance, and climatic factors were recorded. Total of 58 butterfly species belonging to six families were recorded. Their abundance per visit was calculated. April had the highest abundance of individuals (103±19.0) with three families having the highest abundance (Family Nymphalidae, Piridae, Lycaenidae). April and June had the lowest abundance (26.5±5.3) with four families (Family Papilionidae, Piridae, Hesperiidae, Riodinidae) having the lowest abundance in July. Two periods namely March to April, at end of wet season, and from November to December, beginning of the wet season high butterfly abundance was recorded. Comparatively wet season had the highest abundance and number of species. The highest day time mean temperature of 33.6°C was recorded in May and the lowest was recorded in December (26.8°C). Findings infer that butterfly abundance in Maragamuwa forest increases during wet season, and most suitable period for butterfly observation is beginning of wet season and end of wet season from December to April.