The present study is based on host-range and food preferences of butterflies, encountered in and adjacent to the Gir National Park, Gujarat, India. The larval host plants of 67 butterfly species were identified and their host specificity, abundance, perennation were recorded. Out of 74 host-plants, 22 were identified as annuals, 3 bi-annual and 49 perennials. These plant species are further categorised as to belong to different plant categories which include 21 trees, 22 herbs, 24 shrubs, 6 Climbers and one species of plant parasite. The findings revealed that the plant species belonging to families Memosaceae, Capparaceae and Caesalpiniceae were found most suitable food for butterfly species belonging to the 4 different families of butterflies in GNP. In addition, a number of significant differences between butterfly families and their host use patterns such as perination, host specificity etc. were studies and identified. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.785) confirms a strong correlation between host plants and butterflies and was found significant at 1% level (p = 0.01). Hence, more number of host-plant species attracts significantly more species of butterflies.
