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Butterfly species composition and diversity in a protected area of Karnataka, India

Field investigations were made to record the diversity of butterflies at six forest ranges in Nagarahole National Park (NNP), Karnataka during 2014 to 2015. 138 butterfly species were recorded from 94 genera, which belong to five families such as Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae. Species composition varied significantly (F = 93.85; P < 0.05) among forest ranges in NNP; 113 butterfly species were common at different forest ranges in NNP, but 25 species were confined to specific forest ranges. Nymphalidae had the highest (47) species composition compared to other families. The genus Junonia was represented by six species, followed by Papilio and Eurema with five species each. The Shannon diversity index ranged between 4.49 and 4.59 and the Fisher alpha value ranged between 20.88 and 22.92. The Simpson and Shannon ‘J’ (Equitability) indices were 0.98 and 0.94, suggesting evenness between the six forests ranges. Thus, the present investigation provided insight into the butterflies of NNP and has instigated further research for restoration of forest habitats in NNP. 
 
   
 
 Key words: Diversity, butterflies, protected area, Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka.