Observations on the butterflies feeding on non-nectar sources in the district Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

This study aimed to collect seasonal data on butterfly species that feed on various nonnectar sources. The photographic records of 67 butterfly species from six families, which feed on nutrients from six different non-nectar food sources, including dung, bird droppings, caterpillar excreta, ripened fruit, plant exudates, plant oozing sap, and mud, are provided. Among these 67 butterfly species, the Nymphalidae family were the most speciose with a total of 39 species, followed by the Lycaenidae with 10 species, Hesperiidae with seven species, Papilionidae and Pieridae with five species each and Riodinidae with a single species. Seasonal observations showed that the highest number of species was observed consuming food components during the summer season (43 species), followed by the rainy (14 species) and winter (12 species) seasons. The present study highlights the importance of all these non-nectar food sources of butterflies for their survival. Additionally, the findings of this study would be crucial in framing conservation strategies of butterflies.