An assessment and distribution of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Sangla Valley (District Kinnaur: Himachal Pradesh)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand the butterfly diversity in the Sangla Valley of Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, India from April 2015 to March 2018. A total of 40 species of butterflies belonging to 33 genera and five families were recorded from the present study. From the observed butterflies, the family Nymphalidae was the most dominant among the five families with 20 species, followed by Lycaenidae comprising 10 species, Pieridae with 07 species, Papilionidae with 02 species and Hesperiidae with 01species. The butterfly fauna of Sangla Valley has been documented for the first time. The diversity of butterflies is near lower altitudes as compared to alpine regions and Bhoj Patra forests in Cchitkul. Maximum diversity of butterflies exists in open spaces on wild vegetation. One species of Snow Apollo i.e. Parnassius hardwckii has been recorded for the first time from Sangla Valley landscape. The present study added valuable information on the diversity of butterfly fauna and will contribute in developing effective conservation measures in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.