SEASONAL DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF BUTTERFLY (LEPIDOPTERA) FAUNA IN UDAIPUR REGION, RAJASTHAN

Butterfly diversity and abundance were studied through pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons from March 2023 to February 2024 in the Udaipur region of Rajasthan. The highest butterfly diversity and abundance were during monsoon season and the least during pre-monsoon season. The post-monsoon season had a moderate diversity of butterflies. Overall, 61 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families were observed, of which the family Lycaenidae was most abundant and Hesperiidae was least abundant. Each family represented its peak period during monsoon season. Out of 61 butterfly species, five occurred only during monsoon season.. KEYWORDS :Butterflies, Diversity, Flora, Pollination, Seasonal changes