Diversity, abundance and habitat association of butterflies at govt. Kamla Raja Girls College Campus, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

A study has been carried out in Government Kamla Raja Girls College, Gwalior (KRGC) to estimate the diversity and abundance of butterflies and their habitat association. The college campus serves suitable habitat for butterflies in the form of so many small and big green patches, mowed lawn, scrubland and shady bushy areas. The KRGC campus consists of 10 gardens and open grounds which are enriched in varieties of herbs, shrubs and trees. The current investigations yielded a total of 36 species of butterflies which belongs to five families found in the campus of Govt. K.R.G. College, Gwalior. Out of 36 species, family Nymphalidae dominated with 13species (36%) followed by Pieridae 10 species (28%), Lycaenidae 6 species (17%), Papilionidae 4 species (11%) and Heperiidae 3 species (8%). Among these species, 11 species were very common, 15 species were common, 6 species were uncommon, 3 species were rare and 1 species was very rare occurring. It was also noted that out of 36 species of butterflies, 33 species were recorded in post monsoon season which was heights in numbers, 31 species were recorded in summer season, 27 species were observed in winter and 21 species were found in monsoon season.