A preliminary study on butterflies of the Kathlaur-Kaushlian Wildlife Sanctuary, Pathankot, Punjab, India

Abstract

A preliminary study of the butterfly diversity of the Kathlaur-Kaushlian Wildlife Sanctuary (Pathankot, Punjab) India was conducted from 10–11 November 2011. A total of 40 species belonging to 31 genera was recorded, including Libythea myrrha sanguinalisFruhstorfer, a new species added to the butterfly fauna of Punjab. Species richness was greatest for the family Nymphalidae, with 22 species, followed by Pieridae with 10 species, Lycaenidae with four, and Papilionidae and Hesperiidae with two each. An analysis of relative abundances revealed that of the 40 species reported, 19 were classed as common, 15 as less common and the remaining six species as uncommon. Observations on their occurrence in different habitats revealed 13 species prefer scrubby habitat, 13 scrubby and grassy habitat, seven grassy habitats and the remaining seven scrubby and riverine habitats