The present study is based on host-ranges of butterflies, encountered in
and adjacent to the Gir National Park, Gujarat, India. The larval host plants
of 67 butterfly species were identified and their host ranges were recorded.
Out of 74 host-plants, 22 annuals, 3 biennial and 49 perennials. These plant
species are further categorised as to belong to different plant categories
which include 21 tree species, 22 herbs species, 24 shrubs specie, 6 species of
Climbers and one species of plant parasite. The findings revealed that the
plant species belonging to families Mimosaceae, Capparaceae and Caesalpiniaceae
were found most suitable food for butterfly species belonging to the 4
different families of butterflies in GNP. In addition, a number of significant
differences between butterfly families and their host use patterns such as
perination, host specificity etc. were studies and identified. Correlation
coefficient (r = 0.785) confirms a strong correlation between host plants and
butterflies and was found significant at 1% level (p = 0.01). Hence, more
number of host-plant species attracts significantly more species of
butterflies. -see more
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