A SURVEY OF NYMPHALID SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES IN ABRAKA CAMPUS OF DELTA STAT-1

ABSTRACT

Nymphalid butterflies are excellent ecological indicator and portray a good picture of the ecological status of an area. Study on Nymphalid butterflies were carried out in the Delta state University, Abraka campus from five (5) different habitats (Grassland, Farmland, Riverside, Flowering shrub and Moderately disturbed habitat), for the period of four (4) months (May-August, 2015) using baited traps and Pollard sampling method. A total of 167 individuals of Nymphalid butterflies belonging to 20 species and 5 subfamilies were recorded during the study period. Subfamily Heliconiinae was the most dominant subfamily with six (6) species (30% of total species and 44.91% of individuals collected), while subfamily Limenitidinae was the least dominant with one (1) species (5% of total species and 0.60% of individuals collected). The maximum diversity was in the Moderately disturbed habitat (H=1.991). Nymphalid species were more evenly distributed in the Riverside habitat (J=0.829). The highest species richness was recorded from the moderately disturbed habitat (2.52). Of all the species collected Acraea serena (subfamily Heliconiinae) was the most dominant. Species composition of Nymphalid butterflies communities was different among the five habitats and similar among some habitat. Diversity and abundance of Nymphalid butterflies were different among the different habitats and among the subfamilies represented in this study, therefore showing that some species of Nymphalids prefer some habitat more than others due to difference in vegetation and ecological conditions.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

3. Materials and Method

4. Result

5. Discussion

6. Conclusion

7. Reference