Butterflies Diversity In Sambhunath Area of Saptari District, Nepal

Abstract

The present study was conducted to explore the Butterflies Diversity in Shambhunath Area, Saptari, Nepal. The field work was carried from November 2018 to February 2019 in two different habitats viz. Non-cultivated and cultivated land. A total of 23 species belonging 19 genera under 8 families were identified. Nymphalidae and Pieridae were the most predominant families contributing 39.13% and 21.74% species respectively where as Satyridae, Nemeobidae, Amathusidae and Papilionidae were least families contributing 4.35% of each. Butterfly diversity was recorded higher in Non-cultivated land (H = 2.58) ,than the cultivated land (H = 2.06). Similarly, higher evenness was found in Non-cultivated land (J= 0.83) than cultivated land (J = 0.74). Highest butterfly diversity was recorded in February (H = 2.27) where as the least diversity was recorded in December (H = 1.96). Similarly, highest Evenness was recorded in November (J =0.87) where least Evenness was recorded in January (J = 0.73). Butterflies have higher diversity in Non-cultivated land probably due to higher heterogeneity than the cultivated land, probably due to monoculture cultivation, use of pesticides and other human activities. Further study, is required to fully explore the butterfly fauna and their ecology in Shambhunath area.