World Journal of Science and Technology | www.worldjournalofscience.com | 2011 | 1(11): 67-72 World Journal of Science and Technology 2011, 1(11): 67-72 ISSN: 2231 – 2587 www.worldjournalofscience.com BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY, SEASONALITY AND STATUS IN LAKKAVALLI RANGE OF BHADRA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KARNATAKA Raghavendra Gowda, H.T., Vijaya Kumara*, Pramod.A.F and Hosetti, B.B. Dept of Wildlife and Management, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghtta-577 451 Shimoga District, Karnataka, India. Corresponding author e-mail: vijay15675@gmail.com Abstract Butterflies are important bioindicators which should be protected to conserve the biodiversity and environment. Different species of plants and habitats of Lakkavalli range attract wide variety of butterfly fauna, which play a vital role in pollination of various flowering plants besides a key component of food chain. Regular survey were conducted from November 2009 to October 2010 by visual observation. A total of 54 species of butterflies belonging to eight families viz., Papilionidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Danaidae, Satyridae, Acracidae, Pieridae ,Hesperidae were recorded, Out of which 16 species were abundant, 20 species common and 18 species rare. The study of seasonal variation revealed that 44 species present in monsoon which increased to 49 in winter and a least of 26 species in summer and 20 species were recorded all-round the year. Keywords: Seasonality, Status, diversity, Lakkavalli Introduction                                                                                    !               "  #  $$$%%   &  ’()%     *+ ,%%$- .                                                  $(/,’          $)%$         *0 $11(- .         2 0                                                                        3 4 5                   *6 ,%%%-            2 0   *78 + $11)-