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<p>Butterflies exhibit selective mud puddling behaviour, yet substrate preference remains understudied beyond mineral content and nutrient acquisition. This study investigated substrate use across 63 butterfly species from six families over a two-year period in Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (TVWS), Arunachal Pradesh, India. Patterns were analysed across species, families, puddling affinity levels, seasons, and puddling duration. Nymphalidae showed the highest diversity and frequency of mud puddling, while Riodinidae was least represented. Species displayed distinct substrate preferences, with wet sand, rocks, stream puddles, and wild animal dung being most frequently used, whereas bird faeces, wet soil, and plant decay were rarely used. Low-affinity species primarily used mineral-based substrates (e.g. rocks, wet sand, wet soil), moderate-affinity species were more frequently associated with water sources (e.g. rainwater puddles, stream puddles), and high-affinity species exhibited broader substrate use across organic (e.g. wild animal dung), water, and mineral sources. Substrate usage also varied seasonally, with water sources dominated during monsoon and post-monsoon, while organic matter increased in winter. Puddling duration tended to be longer on substrates such as wet soil, rainwater puddles, and wild animal dung. These findings highlight the ecological significance of substrate selection and underscore the need for habitat conservation to maintain diverse moisture-and nutrient-associated microhabitats for butterflies.</p>

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Substrate preferences and puddling behaviour of butterflies from Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月6日

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  • Tajo Kamra,
  • Sudhanya Ray Hajong

摘要

Butterflies exhibit selective mud puddling behaviour, yet substrate preference remains understudied beyond mineral content and nutrient acquisition. This study investigated substrate use across 63 butterfly species from six families over a two-year period in Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (TVWS), Arunachal Pradesh, India. Patterns were analysed across species, families, puddling affinity levels, seasons, and puddling duration. Nymphalidae showed the highest diversity and frequency of mud puddling, while Riodinidae was least represented. Species displayed distinct substrate preferences, with wet sand, rocks, stream puddles, and wild animal dung being most frequently used, whereas bird faeces, wet soil, and plant decay were rarely used. Low-affinity species primarily used mineral-based substrates (e.g. rocks, wet sand, wet soil), moderate-affinity species were more frequently associated with water sources (e.g. rainwater puddles, stream puddles), and high-affinity species exhibited broader substrate use across organic (e.g. wild animal dung), water, and mineral sources. Substrate usage also varied seasonally, with water sources dominated during monsoon and post-monsoon, while organic matter increased in winter. Puddling duration tended to be longer on substrates such as wet soil, rainwater puddles, and wild animal dung. These findings highlight the ecological significance of substrate selection and underscore the need for habitat conservation to maintain diverse moisture-and nutrient-associated microhabitats for butterflies.