DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLY AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR IN MARATHWADA REGION

Butterflies are taxonomically well studied group of insects and sensitive to change environmental changes in habitats. Butterflies are considered as a great indicator of ecosystems change and to predict various environmental alterations .The survey was conducted to prepare a preliminary checklist of butterflies in Marathwada region. Selected four sites were used in the study area for the surveys of butterflies, a total of 148 individuals and 13 species of butterflies belong to 5 families were recorded. The study area is rich in butterfly diversity and further research could be conducted to obtain more details on butterfly diversity for the conservation.