Preliminary survey of Diversity and Urbanization affecting the abundance of Lepidoptera
Jadhav S., Utkarsha, Vaishali M. Bansod and D.M. Mahajan
Environmental Science Research Centre, B.G.College, New Sangvi, Pune-411027 (India) E-mail: Utkarsha.jadhav72@gmail.com WhatsApp no. 7038000502
ABSTRACT
Butterflies are insects from the order of lepidoptera of Phylum Arthropoda. The present investigation comprises preliminary survey of biodiversity of Butterflies in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra was undertaken. In the present study thirty butterflies offive different families were observed. Out of thirty butterflies found, two of them falls in Schedule-I and other two falls under schedule-II of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The prevalence of butterflies and moths signifies the importance and changes in the surrounding environmental conditions. It affects the population of butterfly in the urban area. Comparative study of abundance of butterflies from different habitat was done. It was observed that abundance of butterflies was lesser in urban habitat compare to rural and sub-urban habitats. Conservation strategies are needed to be made in urban areas to maintain the diversity of Lepidoptera.