An updated checklist of the butterflies of Sironcha forest division, Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra, Central India

Abstract

The study was carried out to reveal the butterfly diversity in the Sironcha Forest Division, Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. A total of 137 species were recorded. Most of the butterflies recorded belonged to the family Lycaenidae (44 species), followed by Nymphalidae (42 species), Hesperiidae (23 species), Pieridae (17 species), Papilionidae (10 species), and a single representative from the Riodinidae family. Notably, 15 species recorded in the Sironcha Forest Division had not been previously documented in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. About 19 species of the recorded ones come under the protection category of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the Sironcha Forest Division as an important habitat supporting rich butterfly biodiversity, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of regional Lepidoptera diversity and associated conservation priorities. The study also presents an updated checklist of butterfly species for the Sironcha Forest Division, Gadchiroli.