Diversity of butterflies and their habitat association in four different habitat types in Kanha-Pench corridor, Madhya Pradesh, India

The study was carried out in four different habitat types in Kanha - Pench corridor in Central India during months of October and November, 2014. A total of 1092 individuals of 59 species belonging to six families – Hesperiidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae - were recorded in the survey. The relative abundance was highest for Nymphalidae (26 species, 44.1%) and lowest for Riodinidae (1 species, 1.7%). Nymphalidae was found to be the dominating family in study area with maximum individuals (465) and species (26) registered under this family. 7 species were found to be listed under different schedules in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Shannon-Weiner index was used for calculating diversity of butterflies which was found to be highest in forest area (3.87), and least was recorded from human affected area (3.09). For understanding their population status and ecological needs, it’s important to conduct studies on monitoring of species diversity and their association with habitat.