Satkoshia Tiger Reserve - An Important Site for Butterflies (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

Satkoshia Tiger Reserve (TR) comprised of two wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) namely, Satkoshia WLS and Baisipali WLS. The Reserve is situated at the meeting point of Eastern ghats and Deccan Peninsula in the State of Odisha. Hence it is bestowed with rich biodiversity covered with dry deciduous forests and moist Sal forests. The present study describes important features like mating and mud puddling in a few species of butterflies observed at different habitat sites inside this forest. Butterflies are highly sensitive to habitat disturbance and therefore they are considered as indicator species. The threats and conservation issues of these habitats in relation to butterflies are discussed.