Butterflies survey of an Eastern Ghat, near Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Devkund was carried out from November 2014 to March 2016 for species composition, relative abundance and species diversity of butterflies. Transect walk, point transect and direct observation methods were deployed for butterfly’s survey. Sampling sites were selected following the established transect on the edge around the waterfall, with an interval of 200 m apart. A total of 132 species, belongs to 5 families and 85 genera were identified. Family Lycaenidae had the highest number of butterflies (n=42) followed by Nymphalidae (n=39 species), Hesperiidae (n=23 species), Papilionidae (n=15 species) and Pieridae (n=13 species). Species abundance and diversity varied between the three habitats. Transect 2 habitat had high species abundance and diversity as compared to Transects 1 and 3 habitat. Shannon's diversity index indicated that Transect 2 habitat had higher species diversity (H’=1.519) than Transects 1 and 3 (H’=1.511 and H’=1.502). The study shows that habitat destruction due to anthropogenic activities such as picnics, releases of plastics and other non-degradable materials, cutting trees and expansion of settlements, were the main threats to the survival of the butterflies in and around Devkund.

Keywords: Species diversity, relative abundance, butterflies, Devkund.