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<p>Lepidoptera, comprising butterflies and moths, are ecologically vital insects functioning as pollinators, bioindicators, and components of food webs. This study explores the diversity and ecological roles of fruit-feeding Lepidoptera across two contrasting habitats: primary forest and agroforestry (coffee plantations) in the Koraput district of southern Odisha, a key agrobiodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Ghats. Bait traps using fermented banana-sugar-beer mixtures were deployed from November to April 2019. A total of 172 individuals representing 12 species (7 butterflies and 5 moths) were recorded. The primary forests supported a higher lepidopteran species richness (S = 9), whereas agroforestry plantations exhibited higher butterfly abundance. Four moth species were recorded for the first time during the study. Shannon Diversity Indices revealed greater species evenness and overall diversity in primary forests (H = 1.466) compared to agroforestry plantations (H = 0.644), despite the latter showing higher abundance. Significant positive correlations were found between species richness and canopy cover (<i>r</i> = 0.733, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), and species abundance and canopy cover (<i>r</i> = 0.792, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), while herb density negatively affected abundance (<i>r</i> = -0.838, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). The findings underline importance of primary forests and also emphasize the role of semi-natural coffee agroforests in supporting lepidopteran (butterfly and moth) assemblage. Overall, the study highlights the significance of habitat heterogeneity and microclimate in shaping Lepidoptera communities and reinforces their utility as bioindicators in monitoring ecological health across diverse land-use systems.</p>

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Comparative diversity of Fruit-Feeding lepidoptera in primary forests and agroforestry environments of Koraput, Southern Odisha, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月22日

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  • Anil Kumar Jena,
  • Anirban Mahata,
  • Ayusmita Naik,
  • Prasad Kumar Dash,
  • Sharat Kumar Palita

摘要

Lepidoptera, comprising butterflies and moths, are ecologically vital insects functioning as pollinators, bioindicators, and components of food webs. This study explores the diversity and ecological roles of fruit-feeding Lepidoptera across two contrasting habitats: primary forest and agroforestry (coffee plantations) in the Koraput district of southern Odisha, a key agrobiodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Ghats. Bait traps using fermented banana-sugar-beer mixtures were deployed from November to April 2019. A total of 172 individuals representing 12 species (7 butterflies and 5 moths) were recorded. The primary forests supported a higher lepidopteran species richness (S = 9), whereas agroforestry plantations exhibited higher butterfly abundance. Four moth species were recorded for the first time during the study. Shannon Diversity Indices revealed greater species evenness and overall diversity in primary forests (H = 1.466) compared to agroforestry plantations (H = 0.644), despite the latter showing higher abundance. Significant positive correlations were found between species richness and canopy cover (r = 0.733, p < 0.05), and species abundance and canopy cover (r = 0.792, p < 0.05), while herb density negatively affected abundance (r = -0.838, p < 0.01). The findings underline importance of primary forests and also emphasize the role of semi-natural coffee agroforests in supporting lepidopteran (butterfly and moth) assemblage. Overall, the study highlights the significance of habitat heterogeneity and microclimate in shaping Lepidoptera communities and reinforces their utility as bioindicators in monitoring ecological health across diverse land-use systems.