Abstract

DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF LEPIDOPTERAN ORDER IN THRUCHENCODE TALUK, NAMAKKAL DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

A. Raja Rajeswari, Dr. S. Umamaheswari*, M. Ashok Kumar and M. Shanmuga Priya

ABSTRACT

Biological diversity is the variety of life on earth across all the different levels of biological organizations. High diversity of insects provides potentially high resolution and important changes in the ecosystem. Lepidoptera is the second largest order in the class insect. In view of these facts the present study was designed to diversity and distribution of insects in Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District. Insects were collected during November 2015- April 2016. A total of 33 genera and 42 species belonging to 05 families were identified. Out of these, Nymphalidae was found to be most dominant family with 12 species under 09 genus. Some of the butterfly species were identified as indicators of disturbance of some area. The study may be helpful to known the diversity of butterflies in selected area. The increased human activities, unfavourable climatic condition, complete eradication of host plants and lack of food influence the diversity and distribution of an insect. There is an urgent need to conserve the insects that are seen thrive natural environment.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Lepidoptera.