Biodiversity of butterflies in Badikhel VDC, Lalitpur

Abstract

The Bio-diversity of Butterfly of Badikhel VDC was observed during the period of three month - Pre-Monsoon (April-May, 2009), monsoon (June-July, 2009). Altogether 75 species of butterflies belonging to fifty-one genus and 9 families were collected. For the collection, sweeping insect net and forceps were used and after collection, they were killed and kept in paper envelop. Their wings and body were set by keeping them in the spreading board by pinning. Later the specimens were brought to the lab and identified. Nymphalidae was the most dominant and species rich family. On the other hand Acraeidae was the least dominant. Among the 75 species collected or observed, 167 individuals belonging 63 species of family Nymphalidae were observed during Pre-Monsoon, 70 individuals belonging to 34 species during monsoon and 197 from 55 species during post-monsoon season. The Family Acraeidae was represented by single species having 15 individuals during Pre-monsoon and 16 during Post-monsoon. Among the rest of the families, Nymphalidae was followed by Satyridae; (151, 5, and 193), Pieridae (120, 54 and 115), Papilionidae (85, 26, 88), Hesperiidae (65, 46 and 48), Danaidae (70, 18 and 28), Lycaenidae (44, 4 and 48) and Acraeidae (15, 0, and 16;) having species richness in decreasing order. The massive forest fire during May owes to the relatively low number of butterflies during Monsoon. Among 75 species of butterflies collected sixty species were ranked as "common" seven species were ranked "rare", two "getting rare", two vary "rare" and one CITES listed species. The area was observed to be a potential site for CITES listed species Troides aceacus, rare species like Caltoris tulsii, Hebomoia glaucippe, Mycalesis heri, Ypthima avanta, Precis atlites , Symbrenthia niphanda, Neptis spp.,vry rare species like Tanaecia lepidea and Phaedyma aspasia kathmandia. Graphium agamemnon and Cyrestis thyodamus; which was recorded as common species during 1997; reported to be getting rare at present.