Diversity of Bees and Butterflies on Tridax Procumbens: A Study in Abu Road, Sirohi, Rajasthan

Mahendra Devanda, Dr. Santosh Kumar Charan

Abstract: The current study was conducted from April 2021 to November 2023 in Chandravati village and its surrounding agricultural areas and forest patches in Abu Road, Sirohi, Rajasthan. The main objective of study is to know about the diversity of bees and butterflies visiting the flowers of the coat buttons (Tridax procumbens) plant. A total of 39 insect species were documented, comprising 29 species from 05 families within the order Lepidoptera (butterflies) and 10 species from 03 families within the order Hymenoptera (bees). Members of the Lycaenidae family were found to be dominant with (10) number of species followed by Nymphalidae (9), Pieridae (5), Papilionidae (3) and the least Hesperiidae (2). Along with, A total 10 species of bees belonging to three families viz. with resepect number of species - Apidae (6 species), Halictidae (1 species), and Megachilidae (3 species) were observed on study plant. Bees like Apis florea (24 visits), Apis dorsata (19 visits), and Ceratina smaragdula (15 visits) were dominant in pollination during the study period because their visitation rates are higher. Among the butterflies, Spialia galba (7 visits), Catochrysops strabo (6 visits), and Danaus chrysippus (5 visits) show notable activity. Other species, like Amegilla fallax (7 visits), was demonstrated considerable visitation among the bees. The bees, especially honeybees were appeared to be more frequent visitors, which aligns their ecological role in pollination, whereas butterfly visits are more sporadic but still important for pollination.

Keywords: Bee Diversity, Butterfly Diversity, Tridax procumbens, Rajasthan