SPECIES DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLY OF PAUNI TOWN, BHANDARA, MAHRASHTRA, INDIA

Abstract

: A study was conducted to record the diversity of butterflies, and its status in the Pauni Town, Bhandara, Maharashtra, India, from June 2021 to May 2022. A total of 49 species of butterflies belonging to Papilionidae (05 species), Pieridae (08 species), Nymphalidae (20 species), Lycaenidae (12 species) and Hesperiidae (04 species). Most species were observed from the monsoon (hot/wet season) to early winter (cool/wet season) but thereafter butterfly population was declined in early summer (March). Among the butterflies recorded, 06 species come under the protection category as per the Indian Wild Life Protection Act 1972.