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Online ISSN : 2349-8080 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorinchiefijcrbp@gmail.com |
This paper deals with 38 species under 25 genera of butterfly caterpillars, belonging to family Papilionidae and Nymphalidae, feeding on more than 35 host plant species, under 28 genera of 18 families. The food / host plants of caterpillars include agricultural crops and other economically important plant and tree species. The Papilionid caterpillars covered a total of 9 species, associated with 9 species of food/ host species. The 30 species of Nymphalid caterpillars, were found to be having 25 species as their food plants. The highest number of Nymphalid caterpillar species i.e. 9, are associated with family Poaceae (grasses, cereal). This is followed by Papilionids (6 spp.), feeding on aromatic and ornamental plants, and fruit crops (Rutaceae). The highest number of caterpillar species i.e., 15 Nymphalids, Papilionids), is found to be feeding on medicinal plants (18 spp.). An up-to-date systematic checklist, with host plants, has been provided. Besides, species diversity of caterpillar-fauna on food / host plant species has been studied.
