 |
Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
This paper deals with 23 species, under 15 genera of butterfly caterpillars, belonging to family Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae and Pieridae, associated with 33 species of food / host plant species (agricultural crops and economically important plant species), covering 14 families. The highest number of caterpillar species i.e. 8 (Lycaenids, Pierids) has been found on medicinal plants, followed by 6 spp. (Hesperiids, Pierids) on vegetable crop species. The food crops, fruit crops and ornamental plant species, served as food / host plants for 4 spp. each, pertaining to family Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae and Pieridae. The lowest number of caterpillar species i.e. 2 (Lycaenid, Pierid), is known to be on forest / timber trees. An-up-to date systematic checklist of butterfly caterpillar species, with food/ host plant species, have been provided. Besides, species diversity of caterpillar-fauna on host plant species has been discussed.
Butterfly caterpillar,Diversity Food plants,Hesperiids,Lycaenids,Pierids
