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VOL. 10, ISSUE 6 (2025)
A preliminary assessment of butterfly diversity in Suti, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India
Authors
Dr. Mousumi Das, Rabiul Hoque, Avishikta Ghosh, Somdutta Basu Thakur, Tumpa Khatun
Abstract
To assess the diversity and abundance of
butterfly community in Suti Block II, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, a
study was conducted in twelve points namely Bhabki, Parulia, Khidirpur,
Hassanpur, Arungabad, Bajitpur, Kayadanga, Mahendrapur, Hafania, Dafahat, Suti
and Mahesail, using line transect method, from February, 2024 to January, 2025.
A total number of 67 butterfly species, belonging to six different families and
51 genera were recorded from the selected study sites in which family
Nymphalidae was dominant with 38.03% followed by family Lycaenidae (27.48%),
Pieridae (23.51%), Papilionidae (7.76%), Hesperiidae (2.97%), Riodinidae
(0.25%). Based on sightings of butterflies at the study sites, it was found
that 40.09% belonged to very common category, 33.33% to common category, 22.60%
to not rare category, 3.82% to rare category and 0.16% to very rare category.
Among the recorded butterfly species, 8 of them were found to be protected
under various Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Values of various
diversity indices such as Shannon diversity index (H'=3.84) indicated the high
species richness of the butterfly community. Pielou’s evenness index (j=0.91)
depicted the evenly distributed nature of the butterflies in the studies
butterfly community while, Simpson's index of diversity (D=0.97) signified the
persistence of high abundance of species in the sampled sites. Therefore, the
information from this preliminary survey will prove to be beneficial for
implementing necessary conservation strategies required for the persistence of
butterfly fauna in the rural landscape as well as for the maintenance of
ecosystem integrity.
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Pages:136-143
How to cite this article:
Dr. Mousumi Das, Rabiul Hoque, Avishikta Ghosh, Somdutta Basu Thakur, Tumpa Khatun "A preliminary assessment of butterfly diversity in Suti, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 136-143
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