YEARLONG ASSOCIATION OF BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS WITH FLOWERING PLANTS IN MULTAN, PAKISTAN

The yearlong association of 14 butterfly species with 50 plant species was recorded in Multan, Pakistan. The most abundant Danaus chrysippus, Polymmatus eros and Anaphaeis aurota showed prolong phenologies (9 to 10 months) and also visited the maximum number of plant species. The abundance and richness of butterflies and flowering plants sharply increased from January to March and then gradually decreased until December. Butterfly assemblage (abundance and diversity) was positively related to the availability of floral resources (flowering plant species and floral abundance) and temperature while negatively related to relative humidity. Lantana camara and Trifolium alexandrinum were visited by the maximum number of butterfly species in the maximum abundance. Seven plant species had prolonged flowering phenologies (5 to 9 months) and held the maximum butterfly interactions. Three butterfly guilds exploiting the similar floral resources were also identified. Current study gives a baseline for future ecological studies and conservation programs in the region.