Butterflies of Sasthamkotta Lake – A Ramsar site in Kerala, India

Abstract

In the study of butterfly diversity in the Sasthamkotta Lake of Kollam, Kerala, a total of 50 species was recorded. The species identifid were of the family Pieridae (17), followed by Nymphalidae (11), Lycaenidae (9), Papilionidae (9), Hesperidae (3), and Riodinidae (1). About eight of these species are listed under the protection category of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972. The findings highlight the ecological importance of Sasthamkotta as an important habitat supporting a rich biodiversity of butterflies.