Abstract
Field investigations were made to record the diversity of butterflies at six forest ranges in Nagarahole National Park (NNP), Karnataka during 2014 to 2015. 138 butterfly species were recorded from 94 genera, which belong to five families such as Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae. Species composition varied significantly (F = 93.85; P < 0.05) among forest ranges in NNP; 113 butterfly species were common at different forest ranges in NNP, but 25 species were confined to specific forest ranges. Nymphalidae had the highest (47) species composition compared to other families. The genus Junonia was represented by six species, followed by Papilio and Eurema with five species each. The Shannon diversity index ranged between 4.49 and 4.59 and the Fisher alpha value ranged between 20.88 and 22.92. The Simpson and Shannon ‘J’ (Equitability) indices were 0.98 and 0.94, suggesting evenness between the six forests ranges. Thus, the present investigation provided insight into the butterflies of NNP and has instigated further research for restoration of forest habitats in NNP. Key words: Diversity, butterflies, protected area, Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka.  
Highlights
Systematic studies on butterflies have been made in different parts of the world since the turn of the 18th century. Heppner (1998) has documented 19,238 butterfly species throughout the world
Radhakrishna and Ralot (2006) have reported the butterfly fauna of Biligiri Rangaswamy Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. These three reports clearly suggested that researches of butterfly diversity in protected areas of Karnataka are wanting
They show migratory behavior, which is strictly seasonal; and because some are confined to specific habitats, they reveal the enriched biodiversity of that region
Summary
Systematic studies on butterflies have been made in different parts of the world since the turn of the 18th century. Heppner (1998) has documented 19,238 butterfly species throughout the world. Many researchers have significantly contributed to the field of butterfly ecology within the various ecosystems in India (Bingham, 1905, 1907; Williams, 1930; Evans, 1932; Talbot, 1938, 1947; Wynter-Blyth, 1947; Larsen, 1987; Kunte, 2000, 2001) All these authors have contributed much to the field of butterfly fauna at various ecosystems in few regions of the world. These three reports clearly suggested that researches of butterfly diversity in protected areas of Karnataka are wanting In this region, butterflies play a pivotal role in environmental quality assessment in terrestrial ecosystems (Ghazol, 2002). Information on species composition, diversity, preferred host plants, food plants and distribution pattern of butterflies requires periodic updating in protected areas
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