Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Diversity of Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) across Biotopes in the Kumaun Division of Western Himalaya: Implications for Habitat Modification and Environmental Monitoring

The abundance and diversity of butterflies in an ecosystem are crucial for informing conservation strategies. This research surveyed butterfly communities across three distinct biotopes in Kumaun, Uttarakhand, India. Random sampling was conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 in agricultural fields, riverine areas, and urban settlements. A total of 94 butterfly species from six families were documented: Nymphalidae (42 species), Pieridae (19), Lycaenidae (17), Papilionidae (08), Hesperiidae (05), and Riodinidae (03). Beta diversity analyses indicated significant variation among biotopes. The riverine habitat exhibited the highest alpha diversity and species richness, followed by urban and agricultural areas. Agricultural land and river catchment site shared the most species, whereas urban and agricultural biotopes showed the least similarity. Butterfly diversity peaked during summer and post-monsoon across all habitats. Seven species are listed under Schedule II, and one under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The decline in butterfly diversity in agricultural landscapes points to habitat loss driven by expanding agricultural frontiers in Nainital district. Overall, the findings underscore the value of butterfly communities as ecological indicators for monitoring habitat changes and environmental health in the Western Himalaya.