Butterflies and Their Floral Hosts: A Survey from Alathur, Palakkad

Abstract

The present study on Documentation Of Butterfly- Plant Diversity In Alathur Area Near Palakkad documented 28 plant species which are belonging to 17 families and 29 genera were pollinated by various kinds of butterflies were observed. Among the 17 families documented the family Poaceae being attracted by higher number of butterflies with five species of butterfly followed by Rutaceae with 4 species Apocynaceae and Acanthaceae with 3 species Aristolachiaceae Asclepiadaceae, Zingerberaceae and Euphorbiaceae with 2 species and Rhamnaceae ,Arecaceae , Malvaceae ,Dioscoreaceae , Portulacaceae and Lauraceae with one species respectively. Life cycle of selected butterflies are also studied.

Introduction

Insects, especially butterflies, play a crucial role in ecosystems through their interactions with plants, primarily as pollinators. Butterfly abundance is closely linked to the availability of floral nectar, and these interactions support plant reproduction, community stability, and biodiversity. Butterflies also serve as biological indicators of habitat quality and overall environmental health, reflecting local plant diversity. Kerala, with its diverse habitats, hosts 327 butterfly species out of 1,501 recorded in India.

Study Area and Methods:
The study focused on the Alathur region near Palakkad, Kerala, conducted from July 2024 to January 2025. Field observations, photography, and literature review were used to document butterfly-plant interactions. Butterflies were identified with expert help and field guides, and plants were identified using regional floras. The lifecycle of some butterflies was also observed by rearing larvae collected from host plants.

Results and Discussion:

• Butterfly-Plant Interactions: 17 host plant species across 17 families were documented as being pollinated by butterflies.

  • Most attractive families: Poaceae (e.g., Mycalesis perseus, Melantis leda), Rutaceae, Apocynaceae, Acanthaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Fabaceae, Zingiberaceae, and others.

• Butterflies are drawn to vibrant flowers or plant parts for nectar and pollen. In doing so, they transfer pollen between plants, aiding cross-pollination and genetic diversity.

• Flower color, shape, and nectar availability influence butterfly visitation. Butterflies can remember and associate flower traits with nectar rewards, showing selective foraging behavior.

• Unsustainable resource use, deforestation, urbanization, pesticides, and pollution threaten both butterfly populations and floral diversity in the area.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Binumol M., Nisy S., Abilash E. S.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.