BUTTERFLIES OF SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK, JUNAGARH, GUJARAT AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH THE DIFFERENT HOST-PLANTS SPECIES.

The present study is based on host-ranges of butterflies, encountered in and adjacent to the Gir National Park, Gujarat, India. The larval host plants of 67 butterfly species were identified and their host ranges were recorded. Out of 74 host-plants, 22 annuals, 3 biennial and 49 perennials. These plant species are further categorised as to belong to different plant categories which include 21 tree species, 22 herbs species, 24 shrubs specie, 6 species of Climbers and one species of plant parasite. The findings revealed that the plant species belonging to families Mimosaceae, Capparaceae and Caesalpiniaceae were found most suitable food for butterfly species belonging to the 4 different families of butterflies in GNP. In addition, a number of significant differences between butterfly families and their host use patterns such as perination, host specificity etc. were studies and identified. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.785) confirms a strong correlation between host plants and butterflies and was found significant at 1% level (p = 0.01). Hence, more number of host-plant species attracts significantly more species of butterflies.