LEPIDOPTERAN FAUNA OF AGRI-HORTICULTURAL ECOSYSTEM IN KARAIKAL REGION

Abstract

ABSTRACT The lepidopteran fauna in the Karaikal region was recorded from December 2003-November 2004. The lepidopterans collected were categorized into 36 butterflies and 95 moths. The family diversity index H’, was higher during the rainy periods (August-November) for both butterflies and moths. The diversity index a was lower during February-April in case of butterflies and in respect of moths, there was higher diversification during June (South West Monsoon). The evenness index (E) was more or less similar in case of butterfly families, which indicated less evenness of the families, whereas in case of moth families, more evenness was found during November, October, September, August and December with minimum number of families.