Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 January 2025 | 17(1): 26409–26416

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9038.17.1.26409-26416

#9038 | Received 20 March 2024 | Final received 19 December 2024 | Finally accepted 26 December 2024

 

 

A preliminary checklist of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Dhorpatan Valley, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal

 

Kiran Rayamajhi 1, Bhaiya Khanal 2 & Prakash Chandra Aryal 3

 

1,3 GoldenGate International College (TU), Wisdom Tower, Trikuti Colony, Battisputali, 44600, Kathmandu, Nepal.

2 Nepal Bioheritage Forum for Resources Conservation (NBFRC), 25, Laligurans Galli, Gyaneshwor-1, 44600, Kathmandu, Nepal.

3 Environment Protection and Study Center, Baneshwor, Prachin Marg, 44600, Kathmandu, Nepal.

1 rayamajhi82@gmail.com (corresponding author), 2 baya2000@live.com, 3 pc.aryal@goldengate.edu.np

 

 

Editor: Anonymity requested.                Date of publication: 26 January 2025 (online & print)

 

Citation: Rayamajhi, K., B. Khanal & P.C. Aryal (2025). A preliminary checklist of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Dhorpatan Valley, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal. Journal of Threatened Taxa 17(1): 26409–26416. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9038.17.1.26409-26416

  

Copyright: © Rayamajhi et al. 2025. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: The Study and Research Aid Program for the fiscal year 2077/078 BS (2020/21 AD) by Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal (MoFE).

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Acknowledgements: The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal (MoFE), for providing grant support for this research under the Study and Research Aid Program for the fiscal year 2077/078 BS (2020/21 AD). This study was conducted as a part of the first author’s master’s thesis. We are also grateful to Mr. Purushottam Sharma, former Senior Conservation Officer of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), for his encouragement and support. Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated officers of the reserve for their valuable assistance and cooperation during the fieldwork period

 

 

Abstract: Butterfly species were studied in the Dhorpatan Valley, situated in the western region of Nepal, during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons of 2021 and 2022. This preliminary study documented forty-three species of butterflies from five families Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Hesperiidae. A purposive sampling method was applied to locate various butterfly species across elevations ranging 2,846–4,000 m. This study recorded Polyommatus nepalensis, an endemic species and Polyommatus stoliczkanus, a rare species. No reports have been made of this endemic butterfly from eastern region of Nepal.

 

Keywords: Distribution, elevation, endemic, family, habitat, plots, rare, sampling, seasons, species.

The IUCN Butterfly and Moth Specialist Group estimates that there are approximately 18,000 butterfly species and 160,000 moth species globally. Insects make up more than half of the world’s faunal diversity, which plays a crucial role in the functioning of the earth’s ecosystem. Butterflies are the best-studied group throughout Nepal (Smith 1994, 1997). These insects are widely distributed in Nepal and 18% of butterflies in the mid-hills are threatened (BPN 1996; Bhusal & Khanal 2008; Thapa & Bhusal 2009). The country’s various bio-climatic zones reflect the niches for a wide variety of flowers that offer ideal habitats for butterfly diversity.

Six-hundred-and-sixty species under 263 genera of butterflies have been reported in Nepal (Smith 2010). Based on Smith (2010) and Subedi et al. (2021), the most recent count of butterfly species in Nepal is 678. Since, no previous studies on invertebrate fauna, such as butterflies and moths, have been conducted in this region, this research aims to provide important information on the butterfly species inhabiting the higher elevations of Nepal. This preliminary checklist of butterfly species in this region could also help explore habitat preferences, particularly in relation to larval host plants such as Rumex nepalensis, Berberis aristata, Duchesnea indica, Anaphalis spp., and Pedicularis spp. This information contributes to initiating conservation efforts, particularly in protected areas of Nepal like Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

 

Study area

Dhorpatan Valley is the part of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) located in Baglung District, Gandaki Province, western region of Nepal (28.490 0N, 83.027 0E) (Figure 1, Image 1). This reserve was established to protect a variety of Himalayan flora & fauna, represented by alpine, sub-alpine, and high temperate vegetation. According to the DHR (2019), the features include extensive highland pastures mostly above 3,800 m and east-west ridges that make north and south slopes suitable for summer and winter habitats. Forest covers different vegetations like blue pine Pinus wallichiana, fir Abies spectabilis, rhododendron (Rhododendron ferrugineum, R. campanulatum), Hemlock Tsuga dumosa, Birch Betula utilis, Juniper Juniperus indica, Spruce Picea smithiana, and oak Quercus semicarpifolia. This is the only one hunting reserve of Nepal that supports sport hunting of Jharal Hemitragus jemlahicus and Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur. The map of the study area was drawn using Arc GIS 10.5.1. The survey of butterfly was conducted in the Dhorpatan Valley of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), where the altitude ranges 2,846–4,000 m. The diverse physiographic conditions of this valley, including seasonal meadows, various water bodies, and a wide range of shrubs & herbs, provide preferred habitats and food for butterflies & moths, supporting the pollination of floral species, and contributing to overall ecosystem health & biodiversity.

 

Materials and Methods

Butterfly species were recorded from 50 plots with a plot size of 50 × 20 m2 in the study area of Dhorpatan Valley. This research was conducted over two months during the pre-monsoon season (25 March–23 April, 2021) and the monsoon season (19 June–18 July, 2022). The Pollard (1977) method was followed, where butterflies were surveyed between 1045 h and 1545 h on sunny days with temperatures (>17 °C, or 13–17 °C). The butterflies were observed and recorded from the sampling plots for five hours per day throughout the study period using purposive sampling. Most of the species were photographed using a Nikon D-7500 camera, and only a few confusing or unidentifiable species were collected. Different relevant literatures (Khanal & Smith 1997; Smith 2011) were consulted for identification.

 

Results and Discussion

This study records 43 species of butterflies (Images 2–47), categorization based on their availability relative to the total number of individuals recorded in this region. All the recorded species belong to 32 genera and five families, which include Lycaenidae (15 species), Pieridae (8 species), Nymphalidae (14 species), Papilionidae (4 species), and Hesperiidae (2 species). Single individuals of Parnassius hardwickii, Papilio protenor, Everes lacturnus, Parantica sita, Argynnis kamala, and Neptis hylas were recorded above 3,000 m in the Dhorpatan Valley. Inomata (1998) published an account of Parnassius of Nepal which includes 12 species from the Himalayan region. Only few studies provide information on the population status of Apollo species and their habitat preferences in different geographical regions of the world (Ali et al. 2019). Aglais cashmirensis was noted with the highest abundance records during the whole period of survey. This is one of the most common species, found in a wide range of habitats in India (Haribal 1990). Polyommatus nepalensis, an endemic species, and Polyommatus stoliczkanus, a rare species, were generally recorded as common in this geographic region.

We observed that the monsoon season, typically from June to July, is an optimal time for monitoring butterfly diversity in high-altitude regions like Dhorpatan Valley. The pre-monsoon season is typically dry so, few individuals of species like Polyommatus icarus, Polyommatus nepalensis, Polyommatus stoliczkanus, Vanessa indica, Junonia iphita, Parnassius hardwickii, Everes argiades, and Udara albocaerulea were mostly seen. Within this protected area, most butterfly species were recorded at lower elevations. The diverse habitats of this reserve support a wide variety of flora, fauna, and invertebrates, including butterflies, moths, and bees. As pollinators, butterflies & bees play a crucial role in maintaining floral diversity and enhancing the overall health of the ecosystem (Potts et al. 2010). This preliminary study fills a significant knowledge gap by providing the first comprehensive assessment of butterfly species in this region. The baseline data generated by this research will be instrumental in guiding future studies and conservation initiatives.

 

Table 1. A preliminary checklist of butterfly species found in the Dhorpatan Valley of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal. The list includes family, names of the species, and their local status.

  Family

 Scientific name

Common name

Local status

 

 

 

1. Pieridae

1. Catopsilia pyranthe Linnaeus, 1758

Mottled Emigrant

C

2. Colias erate Esper, 1805

Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow

C

3. Colias fieldii Ménétriés, 1855

Dark Clouded Yellow

C

4. Delias belladonna Fabricius, 1793

Hill Jezebel

C

5. Eurema hecabe Linnaeus, 1758

Oriental Common Grass Yellow

C

6. Gonepteryx nepalensis Linnaeus, 1758

Common Brimstone

C

7. Pieris brassicae Linnaeus, 1758

Large Cabbage White

C

8. Pieris canidia Sparrman, 1768

Indian Cabbage White

C

 

 

 

 

 

2. Nymphalidae

 

9. Aglais cashmirensis Kollar, 1844

Indian Tortoiseshell

FC

10. Argynnis kamala Moore, 1857

Common Silverstripe

FC

11. Aulocera brahminus Blanchard, 1853

Narrow-banded Satyr

UC

12. Lethe sidonis Hewitson, 1863

Common Woodbrown

C

13.  Issoria issaea Doherty, 1886

Queen of Spain Fritillary

C

14. Junonia orithya Linnaeus, 1758

Blue Pansy

C

15. Lasiommata schakra Kollar, 1844

Common Wall

C

16. Melitaea arcesia Bremer, 1861

Blackvein Fritillary

C

17. Neptis hylas Linnaeus, 1758

Common Sailor

VC

18. Parantica sita Kollar, 1844

Chestnut Tiger

LC

19. Junonia iphita Cramer, 1779

Chocolate Pansy

C

20. Rhaphicera moorei Butler, 1867

Small Tawny Wall

C

21. Vanessa cardui Linnaeus, 1758

Painted Lady

C

22. Vanessa indica Herbst, 1794

Indian Red Admiral

VC

 

 

 

 

 

3. Lycaenidae

 

23. Celastrina argiolus Linnaeus, 1758

Hill Hedge Blue

C

24. Celastrina gigas Hemming, 1928

Silvery Hedge Blue

C

25. Everes lacturnus Godart, 1824

Indian Cupid

FC

26. Everes argiades Pallas, 1771

Tailed Cupid

C

27. Heliophorus epicles Godart, 1824

Purple Sapphire

C

28. Heliophorus sena Kollar, 1844

Sorrel Sapphire

UC

29. Lampides boeticus Linnaeus, 1767

Pea Blue

C

30. Leptotes plinius Fabricius, 1793

Zebra Blue

UC

31. Lycaena panava Westwood, 1852

White-bordered Copper

LC

32. Lycaena phlaeas Linnaeus, 1761

Common Copper

C

33. Polyommatus icarus Rottemburg, 1775

Common Blue

UC

34. Polyommatus nepalensis Forster, 1961

Nepal Meadow Blue

E

35. Polyommatus stoliczkanus C. & R.Felder, 1865

Himalayan Meadow Blue

R

36.  Pseudozizeeria maha Kollar, 1844

Pale Grass Blue

FC

37. Udara albocaerulea Moore, 1879

Himalayan Albocerulean

C

4. Papilionidae

 

38. Graphium cloanthus Westwood, 1841

Glassy Bluebottle

UC

39. Papilio machaon Linnaeus, 1758

Common Yellow Swallowtail

C

40. Papilio protenor Cramer, 1775

Spangle

C

41. Parnassius hardwickii Gray, 1831

Common Blue Apollo

UC

5. Hesperiidae

 

42. Pelopidas mathias Fabricius, 1798

Small Branded Swift

C

43.  Caltoris cahira austeni (Moore, 1883)

Colon swift

C

C—Common | UC—Uncommon | LC—Locally Common | FC—Fairly Common | R—Rare | E—Endemic.

 

 

For figure & images - - click here for full PDF

 

 

References

 

Ali, M., V. Kumar & K. Chandra (2019). Butterfly Diversity in different Trans-Himalayan Habitats of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Proceedings of the 2nd Himalayan Researchers Consortium – Vol. 3. Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 22 pp.

Bhusal, D.R. & B. Khanal (2008). Seasonal and Altitudinal Diversity of Butterflies in Eastern Siwalik of Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum 23: 82–87. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnhm.v23i0.1843

BPN (1996). Biodiversity Profile of Nepal with special reference to protected area. Dept. of National Park and Wildlife Conservation HMG/Nepal, 51–60 pp.

DHR (2019). Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Management Plan (2076/77-2080/81) Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office, Dhorpatan, Baglung, Nepal.

Haribal, M. (1990). The behavior of the Indian Tortoiseshell Butterfly Aglais (Vanessa) cashmiriensis (Kollar) in the Himalayas. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 87(1): 163–164.

Inomata, T. (1998). Parnassinae from Nepal. Moths of Nepal, pp. 311–314. In: Haruta, T. (ed.), Part 5. The Japan Hetrocerist’s Society, Tokyo.

Khanal, B. & C. Smith (1997). Butterflies of Kathmandu Valley. Craftsman Press, Bangkok, 115 pp.

Pollard, E. (1977). A method for assessing changes in abundance of butterflies. Biological Conservation 12: 115–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(77)90065-9

Potts, S.G., J.C. Biesmeijer, C. Kremen, P. Neumann, O. Schweiger & W.E. Kunin (2010). Global pollinator declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 25(6): 345–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2010.01.007

Smith, C. (1994). Butterflies of Nepal (Central Himalaya). Revised Edition. T.C. Majupariya and Craftman Press, Bangkok, 352 pp.

Smith, C. (1997). Butterflies of Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Tecpress Books, Bangkok, 80 pp.

Smith, C. (2010). Butterflies of Nepal. Himalayan Nature, 184 pp.

Smith, C. (2011). An Illustrated Checklist of Nepal’s butterfly. Craftsman Press, Bangkok, 131 pp.

Subedi, N., S. Bhattarai, M.R. Pandey, R. Kadariya, S.K. Thapa, A. Gurung, A. Prasai, S. Lamichhane, R. Regmi, M. Dhungana, P.R. Regmi, R.P. Paudel, B. Kumpakha, B. Shrestha, B. Gautam, R. Baral, U. Poudel, S. Yadav, S. Pariyar & B.R. Lamichhane (2021). Report on Faunal Diversity in Chure Region of Nepal. President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Board and National Trust for Nature Conservation. Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thapa, G. & D.R. Bhusal (2009). Species Diversity and Seasonal Variation of Butterfly Fauna in Thankot and Syuchatar VDC of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum 24(1): 9–15. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnhm.v24i1.2229