Butterfly Habitat Research Articles

Diversity of butterfly habitats in and around Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh, India

A survey of Lepidoptera was conducted in habitats including forest trails, nullah, forest gap, and small water bodies, in and around the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) and agroforest habitats at Nagri block in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh State between January 2020 and August 2022. The study recorded 95 species belonging to 69 genera. Erionota torus and Rathinda amor although common in the Indian mainland, were not documented by previous researchers. This indicates the necessity for a more thorough survey of Lepidoptera in the region.

KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS KUPU-KUPU DI DESA BOMBA KECAMATAN LORE SELATAN KABUPATEN POSO

The Sintuwu Maroso KPH area, which is located in Bomba Village, South Lore District, has quite high biodiversity, one of which is butterflies. Butterflies are insects that belong to the order Lepidoptera. Butterflies play an important role in the ecosystem and maintain balance and enrich natural biodiversity. These insects are also important in agriculture, art, culture and human civilization. The Sintuwu Maroso KPH area, Bomba Village, South Lore District, Poso Regency, is a primary forest with maintained sustainability. Primary forest is a good place for butterfly habitat, so it is necessary to protect these butterflies. And research on these butterflies in the Sintuwu Maroso KPH area is still rare, as butterflies play an important role in plant pollination. Therefore, it is necessary to research the diversity of butterfly types. This research was carried out for 2 (two) months from October 2023 to November 2023, which took place in the KPH Sintuwu Maroso area, Bomba Village, South Lore District, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. Data collection and the number of individual types of butterflies used the Point Count method with eleven points. Data analysis used in the research is: species diversity index, species richness index, and species evenness index.

Characteristics of urban milkweed gardens that influence monarch butterfly egg abundance

The eastern population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) has dramatically declined in the last few decades, which is largely attributed to a loss of milkweed habitat in agricultural areas. Residential land in metropolitan areas has the potential to provide a significant source of the milkweed needed to support the monarch population. To examine if and how urban milkweed patches can support monarch butterflies, we worked with community scientists in the Chicago metropolitan area to monitor monarch eggs and caterpillars in yards and community gardens. We hypothesized that the largest numbers of eggs (i.e. gardens that were most attractive to monarchs) would be observed in patches that were older, had a high abundance of milkweed, contained more than one species of milkweed including Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) and/or A. incarnata (swamp milkweed), and had a large diversity of nectar plants. All patches were assessed at their peak egg count each year, which ranged from zero to 170 eggs in a given observation. To determine which characteristics were most influential to egg presence, we examined patches where eggs were present or absent during this peak observation. For abundance, we divided these peak observations into whether or not the egg counts were in the top 20% in a given year, excluding patches where eggs were absent, and assessed their patch characteristics. Our results show that patch age and presence of A. syriaca affected whether patches contained eggs or not. We also found that patches with the largest number of eggs observed tended to have A. syriaca, more milkweed plants, and a higher diversity of blooming plant species. The data we collected from community scientists in the Chicago area has enhanced our understanding of how urban gardeners can create effective breeding habitats for monarch butterflies. By planting Asclepias syriaca within its natural range, along with other native milkweed species and a diverse selection of flowering plants, individuals can create gardens that serve as excellent habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.

Species distribution modelling of the purple leaf blue butterfly (Amblypodia anita) in West Bengal, India, under current environmental conditions

ABSTRACT Species distribution modelling is a technique used in ecology and conservation biology to predict the potential distribution of a species based on environmental variables. It involves analysing the relationship between known occurrences of a species and environmental factors to create a model that can then predict where the species might be found. Amblypodia anita is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae, found primarily in Southeast Asia. Information about the specific conservation status of Amblypodia anita varies based on regional assessments. However, like many butterfly species, threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and habitat fragmentation pose risks to its populations. The study trained a model on the current distribution of Amblypodia anita in West Bengal, India, using MaxEnt modelling. Fourteen environmental variables were selected to build the model. Results suggest that cultivated and managed vegetation (36.5%) serves as the most important variable. Running the developed model, the team was then able to predict that 6619 km2 of suitable habitat for Amblypodia anita butterflies exists in West Bengal, India. This analytical approach to area-based conservation may be used in conservation management and focuses on protecting specific geographical areas to preserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources.

Host plants and landscape predict use of roadside habitat by breeding monarchs

Abstract Vegetation along roadside edges, while posing some risks, can also provide breeding habitat for monarch butterflies. We investigated how landscape and site‐specific factors affect the quality of roadsides as monarch breeding habitat. We surveyed more than 250 sites along roadsides throughout Minnesota for milkweeds, floral resources and monarch eggs and larvae. We found that milkweed distribution was affected by adjacent land use and geography, with milkweeds more likely to be present in roadsides adjacent to crop and grassland and the south and west of the state. The presence and density of monarch eggs and larvae were primarily driven by milkweed density, with the likelihood of monarch presence at each site increasing with milkweed density. The density of monarchs per plant increased in sites with lower densities of milkweed, suggesting that monarch eggs are concentrated more densely on fewer plants where milkweed is scarce and spread more thinly across plants where milkweed is common. Monarch density per milkweed increased as sites were farther from core grasslands, to the south, and on narrower roadsides, also suggesting use may be higher in areas with a scarcity of habitat. The density of monarch eggs and larvae was higher in mowed than unmowed milkweed. Our study suggests that roadside habitats effectively provide breeding locations for monarchs, regardless of adjacent land use type and even when distant to high‐quality natural areas. Our findings assist conservation practitioners in planning and managing roadside habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.

Diversity and status of butterfly fauna at Kurukshetra University campus, Haryana, India

Campuses of educational institutions in India serve as important reservoirs for different faunal components, including ecologically sensitive species like butterflies. To record the diversity, status, and occurrence of butterfly fauna in Kurukshetra University Campus, Haryana, a year-long survey was done from July 2021 to June 2022. A total of 710 individuals of butterflies belonging to 39 species, 32 genera, and five families were recorded. Nymphalidae represented the highest diversity with 13 species followed by Lycaenidae (11 species), Pieridae (10 species), Papilionidae (3 species), and Hesperiidae (2 species). The number of individuals encountered was maximum in family Pieridae (n = 158) while the minimum was in family Hesperiidae (n = 4). Species richness, abundance, and diversity differed significantly (P <0.05) across the different seasons. Species richness was recorded to be the highest in summer season (35 species) followed by monsoon, post monsoon, and winter. Among the recorded species, one species, i.e., Common Baron Euthelia aconthea is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act (2022). The findings of the present study support the importance of the higher educational institution campuses in providing valuable habitat and resources for butterflies.

Changes in landscape and climate in Mexico and Texas reveal small effects on migratory habitat of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus)

The decline of the iconic monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in North America has motivated research on the impacts of land use and land cover (LULC) change and climate variability on monarch habitat and population dynamics. We investigated spring and fall trends in LULC, milkweed and nectar resources over a 20-year period, and ~ 30 years of climate variables in Mexico and Texas, U.S. This region supports spring breeding, and spring and fall migration during the annual life cycle of the monarch. We estimated a − 2.9% decline in milkweed in Texas, but little to no change in Mexico. Fall and spring nectar resources declined < 1% in both study extents. Vegetation greenness increased in the fall and spring in Mexico while the other climate variables did not change in both Mexico and Texas. Monarch habitat in Mexico and Texas appears relatively more intact than in the midwestern, agricultural landscapes of the U.S. Given the relatively modest observed changes in nectar and milkweed, the relatively stable climate conditions, and increased vegetation greenness in Mexico, it seems unlikely that habitat loss (quantity or quality) in Mexico and Texas has caused large declines in population size or survival during migration.

제주도 나비의 고도별 분포와 군집에 관한 연구

In order to understand the distribution and community patterns of butterflies on Jeju Island from the coast to Hallasan Mountain by altitude, were divided into 0~200m, 200~750m, 750~1,100m, and 1,100~1,900m, and 3 times a month from 2022 to 2023, a total of 21 investigated. A total of 36,179 butterflies identified in this survey were 5 families and 65 species. Nymphalidae showed the greatest number of occurrences, with 16,774 individuals and 29 species. The number of species by altitude showed a high frequency of appearance at 50 species between 450 and 750 m, and the largest number of individuals was below 200 m, where 10,880 species appeared. By month, it was confirmed that the largest number of species and individuals appeared in July (59 species) and August (8,634 individuals). As a result of cluster analysis according to altitude, the low mountain range (750m) and below was analyzed to have high diversity, evenness, and richness index. By month, July was analyzed to have the highest diversity and richness index. As a result of cluster analysis, butterflies in Jeju Island were divided into distribution types of 0~750m, 750~1,500m, and 1,500~1,900m, and butterflies appear in the subalpine zone has been raised to over 1,500m. This study will serve as basic data for future predictions of changes in the community structure of Jeju Island butterflies by altitude due to butterfly habitat environment and climate change.

Progress and evolution of hotspots in butterfly diversity research in green spaces.

Ecosystems depend on biodiversity; therefore, protecting biodiversity is beneficial for the development of ecosystems. Butterflies are indicator species that respond quickly to environmental changes and reflect environmental conditions. Butterfly diversity is a crucial evaluation indicator of habitat quality in green spaces. We used CiteSpace and Bibliometrix to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research relating to butterfly diversity in green spaces. Based on 538 papers published from 2002-2022, we systematically reviewed the status, frontiers, and hotspots for research on butterfly diversity in green spaces. Our results showed that: (1) Research on butterfly diversity in green spaces has consistently demonstrated an upward trend between 2002-2022. Studies on this subject have garnered attention from researchers worldwide, with notable interest and contributions from scholars in the United States. (2) Early studies focused on butterfly habitat preferences and extinction concerns, and later articles appeared on the influence of external environmental factors (land use, climate change, plants, etc.). (3) Three main research topics received much attention between 2002 and 2022: biodiversity conservation, butterfly habitats, and the relationship between butterfly diversity and its influencing factors. (4) The relationship between green spaces and butterfly diversity (landscape features, vegetation features, and human activities) was discussed; these factors on butterfly communities should be considered in the planning and constructing of future green spaces. (5) Two significant future directions have been identified: more research on the impact of external factors and a need for more technical integration with the big data field. Future research on butterfly diversity in green spaces should adopt a more multi-scale, multi-disciplinary approach and aim to enhance the practicality and guidance of research findings.

Species diversity and abundance of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in Lata Hokkaido, Jeli, Kelantan

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) serve as vital bioindicators for terrestrial environments and habitat quality, making them critical in biological monitoring and conservation efforts. Here, we report the first checklist of butterflies in Lata Hokkaido, Jeli, Kelantan. Butterflies were sampled for 14 consecutive days using fruit-baited traps and aerial net. In total, 303 butterflies belonging to 53 species from 11 subfamilies were documented. Coliadinae was the most dominant subfamily with four species and 60 individuals recorded, meanwhile, Morphinae represents the least recorded subfamily with just one species from one individual. The most abundant species were Eurema hecabe, Leptosia nina, and Mycalesis mineus. The Shannon-Wiener Index (H’ = 3.246) indicates a notable richness in butterfly diversity at Lata Hokkaido, supported by the Margalef’s Richness Index (M = 9.101) which highlights substantial species richness. The Pielou’s Evenness Index (J’ = 0.818) suggests a fairly even distribution of individuals across species. Aditionally, the species accumulation curve reached an asymptote, suggesting that most of the species present in the study area have been detected. This study provides valuable insights into the ecological significance of Lata Hokkaido as a habitat for butterflies and contributes to the broader understanding of butterfly diversity in this area.

Fire regime shapes butterfly communities through changes in nectar resources in an Australian tropical savanna

AbstractFire‐dependent savanna provides key habitat for butterflies globally, but we know little about how fire regimes, including fire frequency and season, affect them. These impacts are likely to be primarily indirect, through changes in overall habitat structure, the abundance of larval host plants, and/or the provision of nectar resources for adults. We examined the relationships among fire regime, butterfly abundance and diversity, and vegetation structure and floral resources within a long‐term fire experiment near Darwin in the Australian monsoon tropics. We surveyed butterflies and floral resources throughout the 2019–2020 wet season in three replicate plots of each of six experimental treatments that had been operating for 15 years. All plots subject to fire had been burned in the previous dry season. We observed 24 butterfly species and 280 individuals representing all five butterfly families found in Northern Australia. Butterfly abundance was highest under early dry‐season (June) fire regimes (mean = 11.9 individuals per plot survey) compared with a late dry‐season (October) regime (mean = 6.7) and in the long‐term absence of fire (mean = 5.3), and this was correlated with the abundance of floral resources. The distribution of butterflies was also highly associated with floral resources within plots regardless of fire treatment. Butterfly species richness was significantly higher in early dry‐season (mean = 6.8) compared with unburned (mean = 3.3) plots but did not differ between early and late dry‐season (mean = 4.7) plots. Butterfly and floral diversity were similar across all early dry‐season fire treatments regardless of whether they had been burned every 1, 2, 3, or 5 years. Our finding that early dry‐season burning promotes butterfly diversity and abundance by increasing the supply of nectar resources has important implications for biodiversity management more broadly, given that nectar is a critical resource for many animal taxa.

Species accumulation in novel grassland habitats is linked to land cover history

Novel grassland habitats along linear infrastructure have gained attention as potential supplementary or replacement habitats for species suffering from the widespread loss of traditionally managed semi‐natural grasslands. However, it can take time for species to colonise new habitats, and both the historical and the current landscape composition can affect colonisation rates, particularly for grassland specialist species. We investigated the influence of more than 100 years of landscape history on present‐day species richness of plants, butterflies and bumblebees in two types of linear infrastructure habitats: road verges and power line corridors. We analysed the effects of time since habitat establishment and the amount of surrounding grassland cover in different time periods on species richness of the three taxa. Our results suggest a long time lag in the establishment of plant species in novel grassland habitats, with richness of butterflies and bumblebees largely dependent on the richness of plant species. There was no direct relationship between habitat age and the richness of butterflies or bumblebees, but we found unexpected legacy effects of grassland area on present‐day species richness. Higher richness of bumblebee species in road verges located in landscapes with larger surrounding grassland cover in the past is most likely a consequence of those landscapes containing a mosaic of afforested and abandoned grassland habitats today. Furthermore, we found that power line corridors might be important replacement habitats for butterflies in landscapes with little other grassland area left. Provided that road verges and power‐line corridors are managed appropriately, our results show that their species richness can be expected to increase in the future.

Can cities provide butterfly-friendly habitats?

Abstract. Winarni NL, Nuruliawati, Anugra BG, Junaid AR, Widayanti S, Aslan, Nugroho A, Miga I, Kurniawan MB, Liestanti M, Lutfiani RA, Wulandari Y. 2023. Can cities provide butterfly-friendly habitats? Biodiversitas 24: 2334-2341. Cities are progressively changed over time, creating land use changes with reduced green space areas. On the other hand, urban habitats offer a range of opportunities for biodiversity including butterflies which also act as an ecological health indicator. In Indonesia, like Jakarta Greater Area, or the so-called Jabodetabek which comprised Jakarta and its satellite cities, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi, is highly urbanized. However, its capabilities to support the butterfly community are still little known. Thus, this paper aims to identify Jakarta Greater Area’s potential as urban habitat for butterflies through a citizen science approach namely KupuKita. The data were collected from June 2021 to November 2022. The survey used KupuKita platform, an online questionnaire established in 2021, which focused on three families, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae. Its species richness, diversity and community pattern were analyzed consecutively by using Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s Index. Next, the results were also analyzed towards the vegetation strata (grasses, shrubs, and trees) as observed during the data collection. The results suggested that Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bekasi have the least diverse butterfly community in comparison to Depok and Bogor. The butterfly community in Depok and Bogor was similar, both high in richness and diversity. Such similarity was potentially due to the wide arrays of remaining habitats that supported butterfly communities in three strata. The shrubs support more species richness rather than other strata. Bogor and Depok were potentially support more species in all three strata. Hence, because of the closely plant-butterfly relationships, vegetation interventions are crucial to increase the complexity of vegetation and create a butterfly-friendly habitat.

Status and Diversity of Butterfly Fauna in Joggers Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Field surveys were carried out to assess the butterfly species diversity in different seasons in Joggers Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India in 2021 using the line transect method with the aid of digital cameras and binoculars. Joggers Park is rich in floral diversity and therefore, good habitat for butterflies. Altogether, 38 species of butterflies were recorded which belonged to 27 genera and 6 families. Out of the total 38 butterfly species, 58% were common, 29% rare and 13% were the most common species respectively. Nymphalidae was the most dominant (maximum number of 7 genera and 11 species) among the six families. Maximum species richness was reported during summer (April, May and June) and minimum in the rainy season (July, August and September). The present study might be useful in creating awareness among common masses and encouraging the conservation of a wide array of indigenous species of butterfly in the study area.

Monitoring of Butterfly Abundance in the Urban Forests of Cibubur Arboretum and University of Indonesia

Research related to biodiversity that was carried out regularly could be part of monitoring activities to see changes in butterfly populations in an area. Butterflies have a role as environmental bioindicators that were commonly found in various places. Urban forests such as the Cibubur Arboretum and the University of Indonesia were mini conservation sites that were habitats for butterflies. The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in butterfly abundance in the urban forest of Cibubur Arboretum and UI. This research was conducted in 2014 and 2021. This observation was carried out by purposive sampling method. Each urban forest was divided into 3 different stations consisting of 2 plots (20 x 20 m), and repeated 3 times on each plot with an interval of 1 week using a sweeping net and camera. Observations were carried out for 1 hour on each plots. The total observations of butterflies in both urban forests were 18 times. Individual butterflies found in 2014 in the Urban Forest Arboretum Cibubur (339) individuals, and the year 2021 (232) individuals. in the UI City Forest in 2014 898 individuals were found and 269 individuals in 2021. Nymphalidae family was the family with the highest number of individuals found in 2014 and 2021. The individual species found in 2014, included in the category of sporadic, subrecedent, recedent, subdominant and dominant. Meanwhile, the butterfly species found at the study site were categorized into Sub-recedent, Recedent, and Sub-dominant groups in 2021. Differences in vegetation, changes in use, and anthropogenic disturbances could affect changes in butterfly observations.

Patch‐burn management affects grassland butterfly communities in cattle‐grazed rangelands

Abstract Grassland butterflies are undergoing worldwide population decline due to habitat loss and degradation. Rangelands in the Southern Great Plains can provide a habitat for grassland butterflies depending on management practices. Patch‐burn grazing is a management regime that involves burning portions of grazed pastures at different times. The combination of rotational fire and grazing creates a shifting mosaic of recently burned to older burned areas and lightly grazed to heavily grazed areas. However, the impact of fire and grazing on butterfly communities is complex and the effects of different management regimes on butterfly communities are not clear. We investigated the impact of time since prescribed fire and season of fire on butterfly communities in eight cattle‐grazed pastures, each with three burn units, in northern Oklahoma. Treatments included units burned in spring 2018, summer 2018, summer 2019, and spring 2020, with three replicates of each for a total of 12 burn units. Surveys were conducted three times per year in each burn unit in 2019 and 2020 using two standardised Pollard transects. A total of 909 butterflies and 35 species were observed. Species diversity varied by time since fire and season of fire, with spring‐burned sites having the lowest species diversity and summer‐burned sites having the highest. Dominant vegetation cover and blooming forb presence differed with time since fire and season of fire. Patch‐burn grazing creates a mosaic of successional vegetation stages which can benefit different butterfly species and support the overall community. Some species such as Cercyonis pegala, Danaus plexippus, and Atrytone arogos may benefit from fire every 1–2 years, while other species such as Echinargus isola may need longer times between fire treatments. Patch‐burn grazing regimes can support butterfly communities with species that need different fire return intervals by providing a mosaic of areas with different times since fire and associated grazing intensities.

Diversity and species richness of butterfly in soraipung range of Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam, India

BackgroundThe present study deals with the butterfly diversity in Soraipung Range of Dehing Patkai National Park. The site was chosen on the basis that it lies in between Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma which is acclaimed as global biodiversity hotspot.ResultsA total of 92 butterfly species belonging to 5 families were recorded during the study of which 13 species were listed as protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and 11 species were restricted to the Eastern Himalaya, India. Members of the Nymphalidae family were found to be dominant with (41) number of species followed by Papilionidae (17), Lycaenidae (16), Hesperiidae (10) and the least Pieridae (8). The maximum diversity is obtained in Nymphalidae family: where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 3.604584 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651 while the minimum diversity is in Pieridae family where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 1.936217 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651.ConclusionsThe study reveals that Soraipung range is rich in butterfly diversity but on the contrary their study is poorly documented. During the survey 13 threatened species and 11 species restricted to the Eastern Himalaya have been also documented in the National Park, thus making it an important butterfly habitat in the state. Therefore, its necessary to conduct more study as well as research on the butterflies in Dehing Patkai National Park for effective conservation and management programs.

Enhancing National Chi Nan University Campus’s Ecological Friendliness by Creating a Butterfly Habitat Using Reclaimed Water

The campus of National Chi Nan University (NCNU), Taiwan is about 150 hectares, and surrounded by dense valleys and forests that provides a habitat for many wild animals. In order to further enhance the ecological friendliness of the campus, the school implemented courses to create habitats for butterflies around the Sun Pond in the campus. The reclaimed water, originated from Water Treatment Factory, in the Sun Pond is used to irrigate the vegetation in the habitat to enhance the ecological conservation value. From 2019 to 2020, a number of 17 species with 670 individuals and food plants for butterflies was planted, and special instruction signs focusing on butterfly ecology were set up, so that staff and students can better understand the actions and goals in ecological conservation of green university. From 2020 to mid-2021, a total of 6 courses with 750 students (13% of the total number of students) visited the wonderful habit. The number of 22 species of butterflies was recorded in the habitat and this number was an average of 132 per 30 minutes, which shows that the construction of the habitats is successful. The creation of the butterfly habitat is in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and SDG 15. The habitat has become a distinguished place for environmental education in the university. In the future, more community residents and tourists can experience this fantastic place and realize the efforts and achievements in ecological conservation succeeded by NCNU.Keyword: Butterfly Habitat, Reclaimed Water, Green University, Environmental Education, Community Resident.

Green Open Spaces as Butterfly Refuge Habitat: Potential, Issues, and Management Strategies for Butterfly Conservation in Urban Areas

One of the ecological functions of green open space (RTH) is to accommodate biodiversity in urban areas by providing a habitat for wild plants and animals. Pollution, urbanization, and various other environmental pressures make green open spaces in urban areas more susceptible to disturbances, both natural and due to human activities, which can affect the existence of biodiversity within them, including butterflies, which have specificity and sensitivity to certain environmental conditions, thus acting as bioindicators. Assessment of butterfly species, habitat conditions, and assistance with problems was carried out at four green open space locations in the East Jakarta Administrative City (DKI Jakarta Province) and four green open space locations in Pontianak City (West Borneo Province) to determine the potential and effectiveness of green open space as habitat protection for butterflies. The assessment was carried out by observing the presence of butterflies using the time search method and measuring the environmental factors that form the habitat and their correlation with the butterfly community through quantitative analysis. The results of the study showed that there were 22 species of butterflies in green open space in the East Jakarta Administrative City and 17 species of butterflies in green open space in Pontianak City. Correlation analysis at the eight green open space locations showed the same pattern, namely that the occurrence of butterfly species increased along with the number of forage plant species (as hosts or food plants) and canopy density (as shelter plants). The clustered shape of green open space is also a characteristic of green open space, which supports the function of green open space as a refuge habitat for butterflies in urban areas.

Diversity of Butterflies (Lepidoptera) in three different Habitat Types of Manali Town, Himachal Pradesh

Preliminary study was carried out in three different habitat types, Deodar Forest (DF), Mixed forest (MF) and agricultural fields (AF) of Manali town, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh in September and October 2020. A total of 32 species belonging to 4 families and 26 genera were recorded. Species composition was found higher in Agricultural fields (mean 5.47 ± 6.96 SD) followed by Mixed forest type (mean 4.72 ± 8.38) and lowest in Deodar forest type (mean 4.19 ± 11.54). Species diversity of family Nymphalidae and Pieridae were found dominant whereas, abundance of family Lycaenidae was the highest in the study regions. Among all surveyed habitat types, Cluster analysis revealed that highest diversity and abundance of butterflies was supported by Agricultural fields or we can say human dominated landscape which represented the most suitable habitat for butterflies in terms of conservation.