A Checklist of Butterfly Species Visiting Host Plant Tridax procumbens in Rathinam Nagar, Theni Taluk, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India

The plant Tridax procumbens is a wide spread and easily available host plant for butterflies and this plant species is preferred by a wide range of butterflies from an ecological perspective, the plant Tridax procumbens helps to maintain the diversity of the butterflies. The present study was conducted from June, 2024 to December, 2024. The primary intention of the present scientific study was to understand the nexus between butterflies and the host plant Tridax procumbens in Rathinam Nagar, Theni Taluk, Theni District, Tamil Nadu. In the present study, 500 m transect line was chosen and Pollard walk method was employed to observe and record the butterflies on both sides of the transect line with 5 m distance between the observer and the butterflies. In the present study, 44 species of butterflies aggregate belonging to five families were recorded feeding on the host plant Tridax procumbens. Out of which, 16 species belong to Nymphalidae family, 15 species belong to Lycaenidae family, 9 species belong to Pieridae family, 3 species belong to Hesperiidae family and 1 species belong to Papilionidae family. The present study reported that the plant Tridax procumbens serves as a good nectaring plant and food source for various butterfly species and this significant nexus between the insects and the plant and this helps to increase the biodiversity of butterflies.