Abstract: On the basis of natural geography and vegetation, the present situatio n of butterfly diversity was studied in Shanxi. The results indicated that: in different forest regions, the diversity of butterfly had much difference and decreased progressively from south to north. Meanwhile, influenced by the microclimate environment, the butterfly resources appeared clumpy distribution. In cultivation area, the diversity of species lost seriously. Based on the distribution of 216 species of butterflies in 15 forest regions, the diversity of butterfly species was studied by UPGMA clustering analysis. The result show that 15 forest regions were divided into 5 butterfly regions when the similarity coefficient was 0.85. They were: Ⅰ. South-end mountain butterfly region； Ⅱ. South part basin butterfly region； Ⅲ.Middle-South part mountain- hill butterfly region； Ⅳ. Middle part high mountain butterfly region；Ⅴ. Northwest part hill butterfly region. According to the result of key fauna analysis, the important butterfly regions in Shanxi were Ⅰand Ⅳ. It was inferred that 97.7% butterfly species in Shanxi could be preserved when butterflies in the two butterfly regions were protected.

Key words: Butterfly, fauna, diversity, zonal distribution, conservation