Diversity and distribution of butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Punjab, India

The study was carried out in all the 22 districts of Punjab state under General Faunistic Survey Programme of Zoological Survey of India. There are 134 species of 85 genera under 5 families, out of which 96 species were recorded during survey work and 38 species were taken from literature. The maximum diversity of species was found in the family Nymphalidae (52 species), followed by Lycaenidae (35 species), Pieridae (24 species), Hesperiidae (16 species) and Papilionidae (7 species). Hoshiarpur district recorded highest number of Butterflies species i.e., 98 while Faridkot district recorded least number of Butterflies species (6). On the basis of topography, Shivalik Range recorded highest butterfly diversity with 121 species (50%), followed by Semi- Arid zones (61 species, 25%) and Plains (59 species, 25%). Out of 134 species, 12 species were found in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.