~ 258 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2015; 3(3): 258-264 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2015; 3(3): 258-264 © 2015 JEZS Received: 12-04-2015 Accepted: 17-05-2015 Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Junior Wildlife Researcher, Monitoring and Conservation of Wildlife in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh Project. Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Nasima Kabir Department of Zoology, Jagannath University, Dhaka- 1100, Bangladesh. Correspondence: Tahsinur Rahman Shihan Junior Wildlife Researcher, Monitoring and Conservation of Wildlife in Kaptai National Park of Bangladesh Project. Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Butterfly diversity in relation to Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and H.E. Robins as a nectar plant from two selected regions of Bangladesh Tahsinur Rahman Shihan, Nasima Kabir Abstract Butterflies use Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) flower as an important source of nectar. A survey was conducted to investigate the diversity of butterflies in relation to C. odorata (L.) in two selected geographically different areas namely Kaptai National Park and Jahangirnagar University Campus during the period of December 2011 to January 2015. A total of 55 species of butterflies belonging to 06 families were recorded during this survey period of which 35 species of 28 genera were recorded from Kaptai National Park and 26 species of 23 genera were recorded from Jahangirnagar University Campus. Six different species which include Acraea violae, Catopsilia pomona, Papilio demoleus, Eurema hecabe, Cethosia cyane and Tagiades japetus were identified in the both areas. Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, Butterflies, Nymphalidae, Nectar plant 1. Introduction Although a significant majority of butterflies have strong interactions with flowers, plants and other biotic components of any ecosystem but the information about butterfly species and their nectar-host plant relationships in Bangladesh are scanty [1, 2] . Floral attributes are well known to influence nectar-feeding butterflies. The diversity of butterflies for particular habitats is associated with the availability of larval host plants and adult nectar plants. Many of the flowering plants are used by butterflies as nectar plants and support a rich diversity of butterflies. Butterflies have been found to differ in the range of available nectar sources used [3, 4] . The Chromolaena odorata (L.) (Asteraceae) florets attract butterflies and an important nectar source for adult butterflies [5] . However, C. odorata (L.) is a scrambling perennial shrub, with straight, pithy, brittle stems which branch readily, bear three-veined, ovate-triangular leaves placed oppositely, and with a shallow, fibrous root system invasive plant found in the humid tropics and sub-tropics worldwide [6, 7, 8] . Capitula are borne in panicles at the ends of the branches and are devoid of ray florets. The corollas of the florets vary between plants from white to pale blue or lilac. Achenes are black with a pale pappus [7, 9] . In open-land situations, C. odorata grows to 2–3 m in height, but it can reach up to 5–10 m when supported by other vegetation. It shows marked morphological variability in terms of flower color, leaf shape and hairiness, smell of the crushed leaves and plant architecture. In some regions, several forms and their intermediates co-occur, while in others, the population appears homogeneous; the basis for this variability presently remains unexplained [10] . It flowers during October-February. The inflorescences consist of corymbs of cylindrical heads and the floral characteristics such as white to purple colour of florets, short-tubed narrow corolla with deep seated nectar, the morning anthesis and the flat-topped head inflorescence providing a standing platform are important attractants for visitation by butterflies [5] . However, this paper presents the diversity of butterflies in relation to C. odorata (L.) in two selected geographically different areas namely Kaptai National Park and Jahangirnagar University Campus 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study area 2.1.1 Kaptai National Park: Kaptai National Park (KNP) is a mixed evergreen forest with some areas of planted Tecktona grandis. It was declared as a National Park by the Government of Bangladesh in 1999. It is situated in the Kaptai sub district under Rangamati district in southeast Bangladesh (22 0 30.08´ N latitude and 92 0 16.02´ E longitude). It consists of 5464.8