The preference of butterflies for nectarine food plants

• Main Authors: Nacua, Alma E., de Guzman, Gerard Q., Alejandro, Grecebio Jonathan D.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2014
• Subjects: Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11656
• Institution: De La Salle University

Objectives: This study surveys the nectarine food plants (NFPs) available at the butterfly sanctuary of the La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG) and evaluate their interaction with butterflies acting as pollinators. Methodology: A total of 158 butterfly species in 8 families were identified as to their preference for specific families of NFPs. The 77 NFPs were assessed in terms of abundance, diversity, butterfly visits, nectar production and its sugar compositions. Lengths of proboscis and pistils were correlated to nectar production as well. Results: In terms of abundance, diversity and density of butterfly visits, the families Rubiaceae and Asteraceae were the most predominant NFPs. This could be explained by high nectar productions in these families with sucrose being the most concentrated sugar. Among the pollinators, the families Danaidae, Nymphalidae and Papilionidae are the common denominators of all the NFPs of plants from the families Rubiaceae and Asteraceae. The plants Ixora sp., Cosmos sulphurreius and Chromolaena odorata are all pollinated by butterfly species distributed in 9 families. There appears to be a correlation between proboscis length (but not pistil length) and nectar production. Conclusions: This study was able to provide evidence on the preference of butterflies at LUBG for Rubiaceae and Asteraceae flowering NFPs.