Scientific reference for the timed count (30-min count) method to monitor butterfly populations and communities, and to do systematic faunistic surveys: Attiwilli, S., N. Ravikanthachari, and K. Kunte. 2024. A comparison between time-constrained counts and line transects as methods to estimate butterfly diversity and monitor populations in tropical habitats. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 17:88–101.
YouTube links of the demonstration of the 30-min count method, and discussion of the method:
A demo of the 30-min count method: https://youtu.be/99RikkgYuf8
A discussion on the 30-min count method: https://youtu.be/1YxG4fFd3To
Mobile app for data entry (30-min counts and daily checklists) as well as identification of butterflies: https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/BOI-mobile-app.
Reference website on Indian butterflies: Butterflies of India (https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org)
Identification Books/Brochures:
- Bhakare, M. and H. Ogale. 2018. A Guide to Butterflies of Western Ghats (India). Satara. Milind Bhakare and Hemant Ogale. pp. 496.
- Kunte, K. 2000. Butterflies of Peninsular India. Universities Press (Hyderabad) and Indian Academy of Sciences (Bangalore). xviii+254pp, and 32 color plates.
- Kunte, K., Lochana R., Lalrintluanga and V. Nawge. 2023. Butterflies of Indian Urban Greeneries (brochure). Indian Foundation for Butterflies Trust and National Centre for Biological Sciences - TIFR, Bengaluru, India. 14-page, foldable brochure.
- Kunte, K., and N. Ravikanthachari. 2020. Butterflies of Bengaluru. Karnataka Forest Department (Research Wing), National Centre for Biological Sciences, and Indian Foundation for Butterflies, Bengaluru, India. 196 pp.
- Sondhi, S., and K. Kunte. 2018. Butterflies of Uttarakhand – A Field Guide. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (Dehradun), Titli Trust (Dehradun), National Centre for Biological Sciences (Bengaluru), and Indian Foundation for Butterflies (Bengaluru). x+310pp, all in full color.
- Sondhi, S., and K. Kunte. 2018. Butterflies and Moths of Pakke Tiger Reserve (2nd edition). Titli Trust (Dehradun), National Centre for Biological Sciences, (Bengaluru), and Indian Foundation for Butterflies (Bengaluru). vi+242pp, all in full colour.
- Sondhi, S., K. Kunte, G. Agavekar, R. Lovalekar, K. Tokekar. 2013. Butterflies of the Garo Hills . Samrakshan Trust (New Delhi), Titli Trust (Dehradun) and Indian Foundation for Butterflies (Bengaluru). xvi+200pp, all in full color.
Additionally, you will soon find the following resources here to help you get started with a new project or advance to the next stage of butterfly monitoring:
Data templates
A manual of butterfly counting
Stay tuned!