Diversity of Butterflies in The Thankot And Syuchatar Vdcs of Kathamndu District

Abstract

Diversity of butterflies was studied in Thankot and Syuchatar VDCs of Kathmandu District, Nepal during June 2007-March 2008. The main objectives were to study the diversity, seasonal variation and habitats of butterflies. Equipments like insect net, insect pin, preservatives, paper envelops, stretching board and insect box were used. After trapping, the butterflies were killed by pressing the thorax dorsoventrally. Relaxing was done by either injecting hot water or placing over moist sand and stretched on a stretching board, pinned with insect pins. They were then preserved in an insect box. A total of 43 species of butterflies belonging to 32 genera and 9 families were recorded with Nymphalidae as the most commonly recorded Family and Libytheidae and Acreidae as the least recorded families. Species richness increased with upcoming warmer summer days while decreased with cold and dry winter days. Most of the species were collected in summer and very few in winter season. Bushes, cultivated land, open field and forest were selected to study the habitats of butterflies. Bushes were found to be the most preferable habitat. Some species were common to all the four habitats. Color variation was also observed in some species. Three species namely Ypthima baldus, Ypthima nareda and Precis iphita showed color variation. Although Thankot and Syuchatar harbors many species of butterflies but their habitats are being destroyed due to urbanization. So a strong measure has to be taken to protect and conserve these species. ________________________________________________________________

Key words: Acreidae, diversity, Libytheidae, Nymphalidae, seasonal variation, species richness.