Species Diversity and Distribution of Butterflies from Western Pune

Biodiversity studies are important for environmental protection and agricultural production. A detailed survey of butterflies from western region of Pune district has been done covering areas like Ambegaon Bhor Junnar Khed Maval Mulshi and Velhe. 101 species of butterflies from 05 families were recorded from study area. The equilibrium of nature is disturbed to a greater extent because of human induced activities in study area like unplanned land use random use of pesticides constructions of express ways and dams deforestation and forest exploitation etc. threatened the life of both Butterflies and Plants. The grazing pressure also has mostly affected the butterflies of the family Lycaenidae. These findings will prove to have their own importance to fill the lacunae on seasonal abundance and biodiversity studies of butterflies. It will also help in deciding conservation strategies of butterfly fauna and plant diversity in the study area. The various aspects of butterfly behavior are interdisciplinary which explored many things like nectar food plants host specific butterflies etc. The emerging guidelines will be definitely useful to amateur.