Community structure and diversity of butterfly of Kondajji Forest, Harihar Taluk, Davanagere District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Butterflies were enumerated during February 2007 to January 2008 using Pollard walk method to assess the species diversity in the scrub jungle habitats of Kondajji forest, Harihar, Davanagere District, Karnataka. A total of 53 butterfly species belonging to Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae families were recorded. Six species of butterflies recorded from this region have a protected status under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Habitat destruction in terms of anthropogenic activities can be a potential threat to this area and is suggested to be the reason for the reduction of species richness and abundance of butterflies in the study site.