Road Mortality of Migrant Butterflies [Nymphalidae: Danaiane] at National Highway–209 in Chamarajanagar District Of Karnataka, India

SANTHOSH S.; S. BASAVARAJAPPA

Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Road Mortality of Migrant Butterflies [Nymphalidae: Danaiane] at National Highway–209 in Chamarajanagar District Of Karnataka, India

Santhosh S. , S. Basavarajappa

Abstract :

Systematic survey was conducted to record the road kills of butterflies on the National Highway–209 located amidst agri–horticultural ecosystems by employing Visual Count Method during 2013 at Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. Total 2,843 butterflies traveled in west–east direction during 21 research hours. The swarm included mainly Tirumala septentrionis (79.2%), Euploea sylvester and E. core (20.8%). The light vehicles (e.g. Scooters and cars) claimed more butterfly life compared to heavy vehicles (e.g. Bus and lorry) due to catapulation and the death of butterflies indicated significant variation (F=6.48; P>0.01) during different hours of the day. In general, death of young adults and adult T. septentrionis, E. sylvester and E. core was in the ratio 1:0.58 that was followed by male, female and young adults 1:0.65:0.60 ratio. Chamarajanagar District has good road network, national highways located amidst agri–horticultural ecosystems have connectivity with Tamilanadu and Kerala states that could create a barrier during the normal movement of butterflies due to high vehicular traffic