DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLY POLLINATORS IN AGROECOSYSTEMS OF KUMAUN REGION

Abstract

This study examined the diversity, abundance and evenness of butterfly pollinators in Kumaun region, Uttarakhand from March 2019 to February 2020. A total of 394 butterflies, representing 40 species and five families were collected. Nymphalidae was the most dominant family with 19 species, followed by Pieridae (9 species), Lycaenidae (9 species), Papilionidae (2 species), and Hesperiidae (1 species), respectively. Pieris canidia indica (Evans) was the most abundant species, constituting 38.3% of the total individuals. Shannon-Wiener diversity index was observed to be maximum in Site-1 (H’=1.37) than in Site-2 (H’=1.12). Similarly, evenness was maximum in Site-1 (E=0.457), than in Site-2 (E=0.333). In addition, significant pollinator species in crops have been identified in agroecosystems.