Diversity of Caterpillars (Order Lepidoptera) in Community Forest Development Project of Ang-Et Village (The Chaipattana Foundation) Khlung District, Chantaburi Province

Abstract

            Lepidopteran in Thailand is a highly diverse taxon. However there were few studies on larval stage. Purpose of this research was to investigate the species of caterpillar in Ban Ang-Et community forest, Chantaburi Province. Caterpillars and host plants were collected every 3 months during January– December 2012 from 220 plots in area 160 Rai (256,000 m²). Each plot was 10 ×10 m. and 40 m. distance. Caterpillars were collected from host plants at ground surface to 2 meters above and reared in plastic boxes until develop to imago. Among 1,884 specimens comprised of 23 families 78 genera and 98 species were identified. According to the results, the most diverse species was Noctuidae (9 genera, 12 species ) The least diversity were Amathusiidae, Drepanidae, Notodontidae Hyblaeidae and Saturniidae which each found only one genus and one species. Seventy two host plant species were identified and nine morphotypes can not identified to any genus and species. A species diversity was higher in wet season (H’ = 3.93) but total abundance was lower than dry season.

Keywords: Species Diversity, Caterpillars, Community Forest