Seasonal Variation of Butterfly Diversity in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

The study was conducted in Tribhuvan University premises to analyze the seasonal variation of butterflies. 100m × 100m plots was made for the collection of butterflies during rainy and autumn season of 2019. A total of 58 species of butterfly belonging to 45 genera under nine families were recorded. The highest species richness was found for family Nymphalidae. The higher butterfly richness was found during rainy season than autumn. Rainy season had high butterfly diversity but the distribution of species was more even in autumn than rainy season. Zizeeria maha was the abundant species. Butterfly species was more diverse in forest habitat than agricultural land. Although, species richness of butterfly was higher in rainy season than autumn, one way ANOVA (Fstat= 0.67, P>0.05) showed no significant variation in species richness between rainy and autumn. Colias erate visits frequently on invasive Lantana camara while Cupha erymanthis visits less frequently. The study showed high species richness in the region, therefore research should be conducted in all seasons.