Butterfly Diversity in Madi Rambeni Area, Eastern Mid-Hill Region, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal

Abstract

The present work was result of a survey on butterfly fauna of Madi Rambeni area, Eastern Mid-Hill Region, Sankhuwasabha. The objective of the study was to explore butterfly diversity. A detailed survey of butterflies was conducted during September-October, 2015 and March-April, 2016 in three habitats viz. agricultural land, grassland and forest. Four random plots of area 50 m X 50 m were made in each habitat and abundance and richness of butterflies were recorded. A total of 31 species belonging to 27 genera under nine families were documented. Nymphalidae and Satyridae were the most predominant families contributing 25.81% and 19.35% species respectively where the families Acraeidae and Hesperiidae were least observed contributing 3.23% each. Butterfly diversity was recorded highest in grassland followed by agricultural land and forest. High butterfly diversity was recorded in post-monsoon season than pre-monsoon and low seasonal overlapping was seen.