author(s)
Kiran Gocher and Kusum Dang

abstract
Pollinating insects have been undergoing a decline in occurrence, abundance and diversity in many parts of the world (Ollerton et al., 2014; Potts et al., 2016) [23, 31]. Out of all the pollinating insects butterflies are the most important ones acting as “bioindicators”. As the butterflies are performing the critical ecosystem service so the decline in their diversity is a matter of concern. Study area Kolipura with low level of anthropogenic activities showed the highest diversity and richness of butterfly species. The study was carried out in the year 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. For the sampling of butterflies “Line Transect Method” was used. In both the year’s maximum abundance (1186, 1204) and species richness (38) was reported at site 4 (Kolipura). At site 4 the highest value of Shannon-Weiner Index and Simpson diversity index was reported in both the years followed by site 1 (Chatra Villas Garden), followed by site 3 (Bhopatpura) and lowest value of Shannon-Weiner Index and Simpson diversity index was reported at site 2 (Abheda) in both the years. The highest species richness was observed at site 4 followed by site 1, site 3 and site 2 in the year 2022-2023. The order of species richness among the sites changed in the following year (site4>site1>site2>site3). This change happened because if S is high, but N is even higher, it causes the Margalef’s index to decrease. In the year 2022-2023, the highest species evenness was seen at site 4 followed by site 3, site 2 and site 1. While in the next year, the order changed to (site4>site3>site1>site2) this. Site 1, moved from 4th to 3rd indicates improved evenness overtaking site 2, this shows positive ecological change and reduced dominance of few species. Site 2, dropped from 3rd to 4th indicates that despite an increase in its evenness value, other sites (especially site 1) improved more, resulting in a relative drop in rank indicating slower or less effective improvement. Nymphalidae family was the most dominant family at all the four sites. The least dominant family at site 1 and site 4 was Hesperiidae family while this family is altogether absent at site 2 and site 3. At site 1 in both the years the most abundant species reported was Eurema brigitta. At site 2 Zizula hylax was the most abundant species reported in the year 2022-23, whereas in the year 2023-24 at site 2, Danaus genutia was the most abundant species reported. At site 4, Danaus chrysippus and Eurema hecabe was the most abundant species in the year 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. This shift in abundance indicates a possible change in habitat conditions, resources availability, or climatic factor that favored at site 2 Danaus genutia and Eurema hecabe at site 4 in the following year. It highlights the dynamic nature of butterfly populations and their sensitivity to environmental changes. The decline in host and nectar plants for Danaus genutia causing its population to decrease. At site 3, Danaus genutia was the most abundant species reported in both the years.