Diversity and Distribution of Butterfly in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract

Suryabinayak Municipalilty lies in southern part of Bhaktapur district of Nepal. This study was
conducted to assess butterfly diversity and their distribution of butterfly species in various
habitats of Suryabinayak Municipality. Pollard Transect method was followed for the survey. A
field visit from Dec 15, 2015 to Jan, 2016 was conducted. Pieridae family showed the highest
diversity index i.e. 0.36 and Libytheidae showed the least diversity index i.e. 0.004. The
diversity index was the highest in Sipadol and lowest in Katunje. The overall Shannon diversity
index was 1.5. The Karl Pearson's correlation between species diversity and altitudinal variation
showed negative relation. Club beak showed random distribution. Common earl, Common
mormon, Red based jazebel and Common five ring showed uniform distribution whereas, other
32 species showed clumped distribution. Habitat type, altitude and weather type showed
significant effect on species richness.

Introduction

Nepal is home for 660 species (4.3% of globally) of butterflies belonging to eleven butterfly
families (Smith, 2011). Twelve species are categorized as endangered, vulnerable (43) and
susceptible (87) by IUCN red list (BPP, 1995). Kaiser-I-hind Teinopalpus imperialis imperialis,
Golden birdwing Troides aeacus aeacus and Common birdwing Troides helena cerberus are
placed under appendix II of the CITES category (Khanal et.al, 2013).
Butterfly habitat varies from alpine pastures to midland forest and grasslands. Distribution
pattern of Nepalese butterflies varies with respect to physio-graphic zones (BPN, 1996).
In Nepal, wildlife research are limited merely to higher form of wildlife i.e flagship species such
as Tiger, Rhino, Snow Leopard, Musk deer, Red Panda and conservation measures are confined
to such species only. Researches are scarce in butterfly in the country. This research has
attempted to create baseline information of butterflies for Suryabinayak Municipality.
Suryabinayak Municipalilty lies in southern part of Bhaktapur district covering an area of
42.45sq.km. It shares boundary with Bhaktapur Municipality and Changunarayan Municipality
in the north, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in the north-east, Kavre district in the east and
south-east and Lalitpur Metropolitan City in the south and south-west. Survey was conducted in
Katunje, Sipadol, Nankhel and Chittapol. Not any researches on butterflies have been carried out
in Suryabinayak Municipality so far. This study is the first of its kind in the study area. Long
term intense research, conservation intervention and proper communication can provide new
dimension for butterfly watching and promotion of this area as a potential ecotourism destination
for keen butterfly watchers. Thus, the recommendations generated from this study could be
useful for the sustainable conservation of butterfly and its habitat.

Update map (*)

Figure 1. Study area map.

Materials and Method

The survey was conducted from December 15, 2015 to January 20, 2016 (peak winter season).
Transect walk based on Pollard transect (1977) was used to conduct survey from 10 am to 4 pm
each day in various habitat types like (roadside and trails, settlement area, forest, agricultural
land, grassland, barren land, wet land and landslide area). A total of 156.2 km transects was
surveyed. Butterfly species were directly identified in the field using binoculars, pictorial field
guides and freely available android applications. Nondestructive method was followed and
photographs were taken. For further verification and confirmation, experts were consulted. The
meteorological parameters were collected from Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of
Nepal. Shannon diversity index, Kearl Pearson's correlation, variance of mean ratio and
regression analysis were some statistical tools used to calculate diversity, correlation, distribution
and relationship among the variables respectively.

Results and Discussion

During survey 1772 individuals of 37 different species belonging to 9 families were observed.
The Highest number of species (13) observed belongs to Nymphalidae family and the least (1)
belongs to , and . Indian Cabbage White Pieris was observed the most (n=360) and Club beak as
well as red based the least (n=1). Out of 1772 individuals of butterflies observed, 760 individuals
represented Pieridae family, 418 of Nymphalidae, 360 of Lycaenidae, 69 of Satyridae, 64 of
Hesperidae, 48 of Danaidae, 34 of Nemeobiidae, 18 of Papilionidae and 1 of Libytheidae .

Figure 2. Butterfly individuals and families.

The Highest number of individuals were noted in Sipadol (809 individuals) and least in Katunje
(237 individuals) whereas 382 and 344 individuals were observed in Chittapol and Nankhel
respectively. Most butterflies were observed in cropland (614 individuals) and least observed in
barren land (2 individuals). Most individuals (i.e. 867) were recorded in elevation range 1300-
1400m and 7 in range 2000-2100 m. Most Butterflies were observed during sunny days rather
than other weather types.
 Figure 3. Butterfly individuals at different altitude.

Pieridae family, Sipadol and Agricultural land shows the highest Shannon diversity index i.e.
0.34, 0.36 and 0.38 respectively and Libytheidae family, Katunje and Landslide land area shows
the least diversity index i.e. 0.004, 0.27, 0 respectively.

Table 1. Butterfly families and Shannon diversity index.

 Table 2. Study areas and Shannon diversity index.

Table 3. Habitats and Shannon diversity index.

There shows highly significant negative correlation between the species richness and altitude i.e.
-o.64. Club beak showed random distribution (s2/mean=1), Common Earl, Common Mormon,
Red Based Jazebel and Common Five Ring showed uniform distribution (s2/mean<1) and
other 32 species showed clumped distribution (s2/mean>1). Regression analysis showed that
the increase or decrease in species richness and diversity were directly affected by the change in
altitude, habitat type and weather type. Butterfly preferred trails more than the croplands.
Availability of nectar sources, larval food plants guides the relative distribution and abundance
of butterflies (Blair and Launer, 1995). The bushes and other vegetation growing on the trail
attract diversified species (Khanal, 2006). This fact supported in this research from the
availability of more butterflies in trail than roadside. Almost all the species noted during the
study period has been ranked as common to fairly common in status. Not any rare species were
observed since they generally emerge out from June to August (Khanal, 2006).
The Shannon Diversity Index of butterfly families, study areas, habitats were found to be 1.495,
1.279 and 1.68 respectively. These findings are clearly supported by the research done by Das et
al.,(2012) i.e. the species count reaches higher during pre-monsoon (April-May), moderate
during post monsoon (Oct-Nov) and monsoon (June-Sept) and winter (Dec-March) has the least
diversity. The higher diversity of Sipadol might be favor to more transect survey covered than
other study areas. In addition, comparatively presence of more forest areas also might have
support the fact. But the ground fact has to be proven with further more studies.
Species richness and Shannon diversity is higher in moderately disturbed land or rural lands
(agricultural land) whereas less in forest. This result is supported by the findings from Blair and
Launer (1997); Leps, J and Spitzer, K (1990).
The significant negative co-relation between the species richness and diversity with increase in
altitudinal gradient support the fact diversity of butterfly decreases at subsequent additional
elevation (Khanal et al. 2012). Cold climatic condition, scarce vegetation and few preferable
habitats are the main causes of less diversity in higher elevation (Khanal et al. 2012). Some
species like Cabbage White, Peacock Pansy and Grass Yellow occurs year round have ability to
tolerate cold climate condition (Khanal, 2008). This study also showed good representation of
Indian Cabbage White, Pea Blue, Common Sailor, Bath White etc.
The matter of fact is that the results are obtained from only limited time frame of study. So the
real fact has to be proven through more and more systematic and scientific study for long period
of time.

Acknowledgments

The authors are very thankful to Mr. Prakash Chandra Aryal and Mr Pramod Prasad Awal for
valuable recommendations and suggestions.

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