Butterflies of Gosekhurd region of Godavari basin across Wainganga River, Central India

• Main Authors: Kishor G. Patil, Virendra A. Shende, S. B. Uke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2019-09-01
• Series: Arthropods
• Subjects: Lepidoptera; biodiversity; Gosekhurd Dam; Indira Sagar; Wainganga River
• Online Access: http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/arthropods/articles/2019-8(3)/butterflies-of-Gosekhurd-region-of-Godavari-basin.pdf

Wainganga river valley hosts major part of lush green landscape; which is ecologically one of the most significant regions of peninsular India. Gosekhurd reservoir is one of the largest irrigation projects of central India, geographically located 20.8738154°N 79.6081781°E on Wainganga River. This region consists of rich and diverse ecosystems of flora and fauna. The investigations on butterfly diversity in relation to their ecological status have been carried out for a period of three year from April 2014 to March 2017. A total of 122 species of butterflies are recorded belonging to 5 families and 76 genera. Out of total 122 butterfly species 45.90% (56), 40.98% (50) and 13.11% (16) are common, occasional and rare respectively. Maximum number, i.e., 40 species from 23 genera, are reported in family Nymphalidae. Family Lycaenidae represents 38 species from 24 genera. Family Pieridae consisting of 20 species belonging to 12 genera. Family Hesperiidae reporting 17 species from 14 genera and minimum 7 species represent 3 genera from family Papilionidae. 20 rare butterfly species specifically reported during this study.