Species diversity, relative abundance and status of butterflies of Betul district, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Butterflies have great economic, cultural and aesthetic value and are sensitive to fractional variation in climatic factors. They form an important biota of the class Insecta, belonging to the order Lepidoptera. The present investigation on species diversity and abundance of butterfly was carried out in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh during April-2017 to December-2019. In the present survey a total number of 35 species belonging to 24 genera falling under six different families were observed and identified. The highest number was recorded from family Nymphalidae (15 species, 43%) followed by Pieridae (7 species, 20%) Danaidae and Papilionidae (4 species each with 11%) however, Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae recorded 3 and 2 species with 9% and 6% of relative abundance, respectively.