Butterfly diversity of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and Thiruvallur districts in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A long term butterfly study was conducted from January 2014 to March 2020 at 17 locations with varied habitats namely Tropical Dry Evergreen forests, Grasslands, Scrubland, Wetland and Community park covering four districts namely Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and Thiruvallur of Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 128 species from the Chennai district, 114 species from the Chengalpet district, 67 species from Thiruvallur district, and 66 species from Kancheepuram district were recorded. The habitat of Tropical dry Evergreen Forest habitat recorded the highest butterfly number with 118 species. The sighting of the Red-spot Jezebel (Deliasdes combesi) was the most significant record from this study. The butterfly diversity in the month of November was seen to be the highest. We also assessed the relative abundance and species distribution patterns of butterflies in the study area.