Biodiversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in the protected landscape of Nandhour, Uttarakhand, India

An appraisal of butterfly species composition in terms comparative diversity richness various habitat types was conducted and around the Nandhour Wildlife Sanctuary Terai Arc landscape Uttarakhand. During two years survey period (March 2018–February 2020), a total 89 butterflies belonging to families Nymphalidae 43 species, Pieridae 15 Lycaenidae 13 Hesperiidae eight Papilionidae seven Riodinidae three were recorded, which 46 represented new records for Landscape. Butterfly highest dense moist & open dry riverine forests lowest human settlements agricultural land. No significant differences number found mixed deciduous forest, subtropical Chir Pine Bhabar Sal Shiwalik plantation forest. Eight are endemic Indian Himalayan Region.