Study of Butterfly Diversity In Mulshi Tahsil, Pune District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Mulshi Tahsil of Pune District, Maharashtra, India, during August 2007 to August 2009. A total of 71 species of butterflies belonging to 48 genera under five families were recorded from Mulshi Tahsil. Out of 71 species, 10 species of butterflies are scheduled species. Family Nymphalidae is dominating in study area, followed by Lycaenidae, Hesperiidae, Pieridae, and Papilionidae. The seasonal pattern in the abundance of butterflies, their biotopes and nectar food plants were also studied. Mud- puddling is also observed among some butterflies. Forest biotope is found to be rich for butterfly species. Thirty two Nectar food plants were identified belonging to 15 plant families. Plants of Asteraceae family were found to be preferred by Butterflies as nectar food plants. Visits of Butterflies were more frequent to flowers with tubular corollas than to non-tubular ones, to flowers coloured yellow and to flowers with a bloom for longer period in the year. Highest species abundance was observed in the months during August to November. A decline in species abundance was observed from the months of December to January and continued up to the end of May. These findings are important with respect to monitor butterfly and plant diversity and to define conservation strategies in the Mulshi Tahsil.