Polymorphism of Butterflies in Ekiti State University

ABSTRACT
Butterflies, of the order Lepidoptera are winged insects characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings, which often folds together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. Polymorphisms, the presence of multiple distinct, genetically-determined phenotypes within a single interbreeding population, offer a number of key opportunities to study how selection shapes phenotypic diversity. This present study was aimed at studying the polymorphism of butterfly in Ekiti State University. A total of 120 butterfly species were collected from three study area within the campus for the study. The result of the study indicated that the presence of 9 species across the sample location (College of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Sciences) belonging to 5 families with different colour patterns. Among the 9 species discovered, Junonia oenone and Danaus plexippus are found in all the sample location with characterized colour patterns. Based on abundance of species by number, the most abundance was Junonia oenone (Nymphalidae) with 55 individuals at a percentage occurrence of 45.8%, while Morpho menelaus (Morphidae) and Papilio palinurus (Papilionidae) occurred with the least number (1) at 0.8% frequency of occurrence. Notably, the Nymphalidae family emerged as the most abundant group in this study, comprising 41% of the total collection, possibly due to their specific host plant requirements and migration patterns. Conversely, families like Lycaenidae and Papilionidae, represented by fewer species, suggest sensitivity to environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, influencing their distribution and abundance. Seasonal variations also play a crucial role in shaping butterfly polymorphism. Furthermore, migratory behaviors observed in species like Junonia oenone and Danaus plexippus enable them to thrive across diverse habitats, highlighting the adaptive significance of their wing