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Arthropods, 2016, 5(1): 11-22
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Article

Diversity and distribution of butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera) of district Dir lower, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

Muhammad Inayatullah Khan1, Hanif Ullah, Suleman1, Muhammad Anwar Saleem Khan3, Falak Naz2, Muhammad Ather Rafi2, Sardar Azhar Mehmood1
1Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Garden Campus Mansehra, Pakistan
2National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan
3Department of Zoology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology Gulshan-e- Iqbal, Karachi, Pakistan

Received 12 November 2015;Accepted 20 December 2015;Published online 1 March 2016
IAEES

Abstract
Butterflies are the fine-looking creatures and act as ecological indicators and pollinators. The present study is the first record of Butterfly fauna of Dir lower. Collection was carried out during March - August 2013. The specimens were collected and identified with the help of taxonomic keys and preserved specimens in National Insect Museum Islamabad. The collection of 375 specimens were preserved. Identification revealed 24 species belonging to 20 genera and 7 families. The species are Papilio polyctor Boisduval, Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, Junonia almanac Linnaeus, Pararge schakra Kollar, Junonia hierta Fabricius, Junonia orythea Linnaeus, Argyrius hyperbius Linnaeus, Hypolimnus bolina Linnaeus, Vanessa cashmiriensis Kollar, Phalantha phalantha Drury, Melitea didyma Esper, Lycaena phalaeas Linnaeus, Lybithea lipita Moore, Danius chrysippus Linnaeus, Hipparchia parasitas Kollar, Lethe rohria Fabricius, Maniola davendra Moore, Pontia daplidice Linnaeus, Belenois aurota Fabricius, Pieris brassicae Linnaeus, Colias erate Esper, Eurema hecabe Linnaeus, Colias fieldi Linnaeus and Cynthia cardui Linnaeus. The highest population was shown by Pieris brassicae followed by Danius chrysippus and Cynthia cardui. Twelve species belong to family Nymphalidae (50%), which shows the highest abundance rate. Butterfly density was the highest at Timergara. Butterfly fauna was the highest in May followed by August and lowest in March. It is concluded that pollution free environment of Dir Lower is more suitable for the survival of butterfly fauna. Large scale study is required to fully explore the butterfly fauna of the area.

Keywords diversity;taxonomy;Nymphalidae;species;Dir Lower;Timergara.


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