STUDIES ON THE DIVERSITY, ABUNDANCE AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF BUTTERFLIES, IN AND IN AND AROUND THE DALMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY JHARKHAND, INDIA

Butterflies are the most important biota of the class Insecta, belonging to the order Lepidoptera. They are very sensitive and are severely affected by the slightest variations in the environment. They form Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured and conspicuous wings used for fluttering type of flight. They form an important part of food chain and are good bio-indicators for evaluation of habitat change and variations in landscape structures The objective of the present survey is focussed on the assessment of the diversity and seasonal abundance of butterfly with vegetation composition of habitat and conservation priorities in the study area. The diversity of butterfly species of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary during the study period which were conducted for one year (November 2018 to October 2019) a total of of 50 butterfly species belonging to 28 genera and Five families. Represented by 50 species followed by Papilionidae (8), Pieridae (10), Lycaenidae (12) , Nymphalidae (17) and Hesperiidae (3) Among all the individual Papilionidae contains 16%, Pieridae 20 % Lycaenidae 24% Nymphalidae 34 % and Hesperiidae 6% . This field work represent 20 species are Wide spread, 15 species are Common, 7 species found in Occasional and 8 species are Rare. The field study shows most of the butterfly active in the Monsoon and the Post Monsoon season, few members are active during winter.Monsoon represent 28 number of species, post monsoon contain 28 species Where in 18 species observe in summer, we notice 10 species in winter.