A report on the butterfly diversity (Lepidoptera) in Rachol- Shiroda Mangroves and Maina-Curtorim Wetland, Goa, India

Habitat-specific studies help understand species’ ecological importance in a particular habitat. The current investigation was conducted to comprehend the diversity of butterflies across the Rachol-Shiroda Mangroves and the Maina-Curtorim Wetland of Goa from September 2022 to February 2023. A total of 1374 individuals, comprising 40 species distributed across the 5 families, were documented from both habitats. Around 60 per cent of species were shared between the habitats, with Nymphalidae as the most abundant family. Four of the documented species possessed protected status under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The mangrove habitat exhibited greater abundance and species richness compared to the wetland habitat.