Butterfly diversity at suburban green patch: A sustainable approach towards conservation

Abstract

Butterfly diversity at Serampore, West Bengal, India, was studied on the post monsoon season and the habitat includes tree canopy, shrub, herbs, climbers and grasses. Permanent line transect counts were used to record species richness and abundance of butterfly communities. A total of 38 butterfly species belonging to the families of Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae were identified in the present investigation. Quantification of butterfly diversity and species richness was prime objective of this study. This study revealed that even a small natural green patch of a highly populated suburban riverside may hold a high species richness and evenness of butterfly diversity.