Biology and distribution of butterfly fauna of Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan

doi:10.4236/ojas.2013.32A004

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Vol.3, No.2A, 28-36 (2013) Open Journal of Animal Sciences

doi:10.4236/ojas.2013.32A004

Biology and distribution of butterfly fauna of Hazara

University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan

Farzana Perveen*, Fatima Fazal

Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU), Main Campus, Sheringal, Pakistan;

*Corresponding Author: farzana_san@hotmail.com

Received 18 April 2013; revised 21 May 2013; accepted 30 May 2013

License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

The butterflies are beautiful creature of nature

with great economic importance as pollinator as

well as bio-indicator of environments. The pre-

sent survey was conducted to determine the

biology and distribution of butterfly fauna of

Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra,

Pakistan during March-June 2012. The study

area was divided into 3 quadrates, i.e., residen-

tial area, administration area and main campus.

A total of 170 specimens were collected, 10 spe-

cies were identified belonging to 3 different fa-

milies and falling in 8 genera. The species were

identified. The painted lady, Cynthia cardui (Lin-

naeus); blue pansy, Junonia orithya Linnaeus;

and plain tiger, Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus)

were belonging to family Nymphalidae. The lime

butterfly, Papilio demoleus Linnaeus and com-

mon mormon, P. polytes Linnaeus were be-

longing to family Papilionidae. The dark clouded

yellow, Colias croceus (Geoffroy); common

grass yellow, Eumera hecab (Linnaeus); Murree

green-veined white, Pieris ajaka Moore; green-

veined w hite, P. napi (Linnaeus) and Bath white,

Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus) were belonging to

family Pieridae. The body sizes of E. hecabe and

J. orithya were minimum, i.e., 1.4 cm (n = 4 - 13),

however, D. chrysippus was maximum, i.e., 2.5

cm (n = 1). The wingspan of E. hecabe was

minimum, i.e., 3.7 cm (n = 4), however, P. polytes

was maximum, i.e., 7.5 cm (n = 1). Proper pre-

ventive measures should be taken into consid-

eration in order to minimize the natural habitat

loss, as butterfly fauna is dependent upon pro-

per environmental conditions.

Keywords: Biology; Butterfly; Distribution; Hazara

University; Nymphalidae; Papilionidae; Pieridae

1. INTRODUCTION

Lepidoptera have significant economic importance.

Butterflies are the most efficient pollinators of flowers in

addition to moths and bees. They help in production of

food crops, seeds and fruits, therefore, they are essential

for the survival of man and animals [1]. Mouth parts of a

butterfly are adapted for sucking. Proboscis is usually

long and coiled . Compound eyes are comparatively large

with a large number of facets. Larva is called caterpillar,

usually eruciformes with a well-developed head. Cater-

pillar has well d ev eloped silk g lands [2 ]. Th e an tenn ae of

butterflies are either slender or knobbed at the tip and in

the family Hesperiidae (Skippers) are hooked at the tip.

In some butterflies genera such as Taractrothera and

common snout butterfly Libythea carinenta (Cramer) the

knob is hollowed underneath [3] .

Butterflies show remarkable mimicry in different

forms. Batesian mimicry is between palatable and non-

palatable butterfly species, however, Mullerian mimicry,

several equally unpleasantly tasting species share a color

pattern and all species are mutually benefited, not only

the mimic [4]. The constituents o f wing arrangement and

morphology that contribute to an impression of a head,

though, differ prominently amongst lycaenid species [5].

A butterfly is a primarily day-flying insect belonging

to order Lepidoptera, which also comprises moths in

addition to butterflies [6]. Butterflies are the most plen-

tiful group of insects on the earth, which are accustomed

among the public and science due to th eir striking colors

and elegant flight. These are found in every part of the

world wherever the flowering plants are found residing

even very high altitude except some regions such as Ant-

arctic, Arctic, mountains roofed with everlasting snow

and glaciers [7].

Butterflies are frequently used as bioindicators of eco-

system health and as surrogates for whole biodiversity

[8]. Several characters of the butterflies make them good

candidates for indicator species. They have a widespread

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36 29

distribution, are comparatively easy to sample and rec-

ognize, and both as individuals and as species, they show

significant numbers in different ecosystems. They are

also strongly influenced by local weather and highly sen-

sitive to environmental changes besides being charis-

matic insects that could fascinate the public attention.

Butterflies are extremely sensitive to changes in vegeta-

tion composition and structure, and different types of

vegetation show different butterfly species composition

[9]. Increased urban features, including roads, buildings,

and mowed lawn s, co rrespond w ith d ecreases in bu tter fly

species richness, diversity and abundance. As might be

predicted, butterfly species that specialize on particular

plant species for ovipositing and disturbance sensitive

species are more affected by urbanization than are gener-

alist species [10].

Hazara University is situated in the North-East region

of Pakistan. Throughout history the region has remained

a melting pot of civilizations including Buddhist, Indian,

Chinese, Islamic civilization and cultures. The university

presently has 23 academic sections and comprises about

5000 on campus students. Mor e than 69,000 students are

registered in educational institutions affiliated with Ha-

zara University, which is spread throughout the Hazara

region of Pakistan [11]. It is situated in such area, which

has blessed with the rich and symphonic combination of

tall and splendid fine trees, plains, high mountains,

lovely valleys and lakes which make it bliss of peace.

Tree species are well exemplified by the deciduous and

evergreen types. In avian fauna, several species are in-

cluding Himalayan Monal, Lophophorus impejanus La-

tham and koklass pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha Lesson

are confined to hilly areas, whereas black partridge,

Melanoperdix niger Vigors and grey partridges, Perdix

perd ix Linnaeus are also common. The birds of prey also

inhabit this area. It has in clusive mammalian faun a com-

prising Rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta Zimmermann.

Among the carnivores Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus Schre-

ber became extinct while the Snow leopard, Uncia uncia

Schreber is endangered species (Figure 1) [12]. The ob-

jectives of the present research are to determine biology

and distribution of butterfly fauna of Hazara University,

Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Hazara University

Mansehra district covers about 4579 km2 areas. It lies

from 34˚14' to 35˚11' north latitudes and 72˚49' to 74˚08'

east longitudes in Hazara Division, Pakistan [14]. Hazara

Figure 1. Map of Mansehra, Pakistan [13] where the survey area, Hazara University is located.

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36

University is situated 14 km to the north of Mansehra

town on the right rim of Karakuram Highway. In 1997,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Provincial Assembly passed

Hazara University Act. In 2001, the then Governor, KP

took the dauntless step of establishing Hazara University

in the Dhodial [15]. For the present research, it was di-

vided into 3 quadrants: residential area: A; administration

area: B; main campus: C.

2.2. Methods

The study was conducted to know biology and distri-

bution of butterflies of Hazara University Garden Cam-

pus, Mansehra, Pakistan. Each quadrant was visited daily

twice or thrice in a day during March-June 2012 for col-

lection of butterflies by sweep-net. Then th ey were killed,

stretched to measure their wingspan. They were pinned

and identified by already preserved specimen, internet,

literature available [16,17], keys [17,18] and entomolo-

gists on the bases of their characteristics. All specimens

were tagged and placed one by one on a white paper for

photography with digital camera, Kodak (8.2 megapix-

els), Tokyo, Japan. Then they were arranged in the woo-

den box with the phenolphthalein balls. The literature

about these species of butterflies was also collected.

3. RESULTS

The present study was conducted to determine the bi-

ology of the butterflies of Hazara University, Mansehra,

Pakistan with their status and distribution. The un iversity

was divided in 3 quadrate of study sites, i.e., residential

area: administration area: B; main campus: C. The

specimens 92 were collected from residential area, 20

from administration area and 58 from main campus (n =

170). Identification of these butterflies showed that 10

different species from 8 genera belonging to 3 different

families were present in the area. Detailed biology of

each species is provided below.

3.1. Painted Lady, Cynthia cardui

(Linnaeus 1758)

Body length is 1.6 ± 0.424 cm and wingspan is 5.65 ±

0.636 cm. It is pinkish red with black markings. Some-

what wavy hind wing is present. Apical half of the fore-

wing is dusky black having white spots on it. Black

markings are present on distal and median golden area.

Hind wing has dense brown coloration with black spots

on orange distal area and termini. Under hind wing is

marked with bands, lines and spots. Four dark centered

ocelli are also present under hind wing around disco-

cellular region (Figure 2(a)). Sexes are alike and freshly

emerged specimens have pinkish orange color which

later on changes to dull tawny.

3.1.1. Status

It is uncommon in Sindh. It is present in northern hill

areas, Baluchistan and Himalayas. In Northern areas, it

can be seen from April-November.

3.1.2. Distribution

Khan et al. [19] recorded from district Bagh, Azad

Kashmir, Pakistan. Ahson and Iqbal [21] from Lahore

and Khan et al. [7,22] reported from Muzaffrabad. Abbas

et al. [18] recorded from Skardu and Khan et al. [23]

from Mirpur and Kotli. Naz et al. [24] reported from

Buner and Iqbal [20] from district Rawalpindi and Is-

lamabad. Shields [25] discussed the migration of C.

caurdi.

3.2. Blue Pansy, Junonia orithya

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wingspan is 3.85 ± 0.50 cm and body length 1.4 ±

0.108 cm. In male, more than half of the forewing from

base is velvety black to some extent, apical half dull fu-

liginous. Basal half of underside fore wing consists of 3

black-edged, broad, orange transverse bands. Two red

brown black ringed ocelli are present on upper hind wing

and wing is iridescent blue. In females, dull blue areas

are present and ocelli are conspicuous. Across the cell,

narrow b lack paired lines are presen t on under forewing.

Under hindwing is of pale greyish buffy color. Brown

bands are almost obsolete (Figure 2(b)).

3.2.1. Status

It is widespread in Indus Plain and Lower Baluchistan.

In Sindh, it can be seen throughout the year.

3.2.2. Distribution

Khan et al. [19] reported from district Bagh, Pakistan

and Pandharipande [26] from Central India. Previously, J.

orithya was reported by Khan et al. [22] from Muzaffra-

bad, Azad Kashmir. Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] reported

from Kohat and Khan et al. [23] from district Mirpur and

Bhimber. It was also reported by Naz et al. [24]. Sharma

and Joshi [29] record ed from Punjab Shivalik, India.

3.3. Plain Tiger, Danaus chrysippus

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wingspan is 7 cm and body length 2.5 cm with color is

tawny. The upper side is brighter and richer than the un-

derside. Upper margin of fore wing is black with white

spots. Hindwing consists of 3 black spots in male and 2

in female. The hindwing has a thin border of black encir-

cling a series of hemispherical white spots. Male D.

chrysippus is smaller than the female, but have more

right coloration (Figure 2(c )). b

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36 31

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Lepidoptera

Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Nymphalinae

(a) Painted lady, Cynthia cardui (Linnaeus 1758) Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Nymphalinae

(b) Blue pansy, Junonia orithya Linnaeu s 1 7 5 8

Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Danainae

d. Lime butterfly, Papilio demoleus Linnaeus 1758

Family: Papilionidae Subfamily: Papilioninae

e. Common mormon, Papilio polytes Linnaeus 17 5 8 Family: Pieridae Subfamily: Coliaclinae

(f) Dark clouded yellow, Colias croceus (Geoffroy 1785)

Family: Pieridae Subfamily: Coliaclinae

(g) Common grass yellow, Eumera hecab (Linnaeus 1758)Family: Pieridae Subfamily: Pierinae

(h) Murree green-veined white, Pieris ajaka Moore 1865

Family: Pieridae Subfamily: Pierinae

(i) Green-veined white, P. napi (Linnaeu s 1758) Family: Pieridae Subfamily: Pierinae

(j) Bath white, Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus 1758)

Figure 2. Classification of butterflies fauna collected during March-June 2012 from Hazara University, Pakistan.

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36

3.3.1. Status

The range of D. chrysippus extends from Africa and

southern Europe, eastwards through India, Sri Lanka,

and Myanmar to China and Sulawesi. It is a very com-

mon species.

3.3.2. Distribution

Ramesh et al. [30] reported from South India, Fermon

et al. [31] from Republic of Benin, Khan et al. [19] from

district Bagh, Pakistan and Pandharipande [26] from

Central India. Khan et al. [7] reported D. chrysippus

from Muzaffrabad, Azad Kashmir. Iqbal [20] reported

from district Rawalpindi and Islamabad and Naz et al.

[24] from Lahore. Tayyab et al. [32] reported from Ba-

hawalpur, Khan et al. [23] from Kotli, Mirpur and

Bhimber and Ahson and Iqbal [21] from Lahore. Sharma

and Joshi [29] reported from Punjab Shivalik, India. Ak-

htar and Butt [33] studied the seasonal variation of D.

chrysippus from Lahore.

3.4. Lime Butterfly, Papilio demoleus

(Linnaeus 1758)

Lime butterfly can live in a broad variety of climatic

conditions due to its wide range ecological tolerance

ability. Wingspan is 7.1 ± 0.782 cm and body length 2.15

± 0.212 cm. Body is dorsally black in color with large

number of yellow strips. Apex of forewing has yellow

spots present in a distal band. Hind wing is without any

tail. Red spot is present at anal margin of hind wings.

Blue black spot is also present along with red spot. Ven-

tral body has paler yellow color, with the black areas

dusted with yellow (Figure 2(d)). Upper side of butterfly

is pale creamy, when it is freshly emerged. Later on, it

changes to deeper yello w with sexes are similar.

3.4.1. Status

It is the commonest butterfly rarely occurring in lower

valleys of Swat and Chitral. It can be frequently seen

from Au gust-October .

3.4.2. Distribution

Previously, it was reported by Khan et al. [19] from

district Bagh, Pakistan, Pandharipande [24] from Central

India and Vu and Vu [34] from Vietnam. It was reported

by Tayyab et al. [32] from Agro-Forest area of Baha-

walpur. Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] reported it from

Kohat. Khan et al. [35] and Rafi et al. [36] reported from

Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It was also reported by Ah-

son and Iqbal [21] from Lahore and Iqbal [20] from Dis-

trict Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Naz et al. [24] reported

same species from district Buner, KP. Khan et al. [23]

reported from district Mirpur and Bhimber, Azad Kash-

mir. Homoziak and Homoziak [37] recorded P. demoleus

for the first time from USA.

3.5. Common Mormon, Papilio polytes

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wing span is 7.5 cm and body length 2.3 cm. Body of

common Mormon is mainly black in color and has con-

spicuous tail on hind wing. It has a swift, rather spas-

modic flight. Hind wing comprises a series of pale yel-

low spots. In male band of white spots or often creamy

yellow spots is present on hind wing extending up to

vein 7. Fore wing contains white spots confined to the

marginal area, which keeps on narrowing towards apex

(Figure 2(e)). Females have developed many forms

which have cle a r di st i ncti on from males.

3.5.1. Status

After monsoon and during monsoon, it is common in

all provinces except Baluchistan. It occurs in almost all

the plain up to Islamabad.

3.5.2. Distribution

Previously, it was reported by Khan et al. [19] from

district Bagh, Pakistan, Vu and Vu [34] from Vietnam

and Pandharipande [26] from Central India. It was re-

ported by Tayyab et al. [32] from Agro-Forest area of

Bahawalpur. Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] reported it

from Kohat. Khan et al. [35] and Rafi et al. [36] reported

from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Previously, it was re-

ported by Ahson and Iqbal [21] from Lahore and Iqbal

[20] from district Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Naz et al.

[24] reported same species from Chamla and Daggar

area of district Buner, KP. Khan et al. [23] reported from

district Mirpur and Bhimber, Azad Kashmir.

3.6. Dark Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus

(Geoffroy 1758)

Wing span is 4.64 ± 0.054 cm and body length 1.68 ±

0.083 cm. Upper surface of the male wings is orange

colored without any spots. Outer border of upper surface

is broad and black. Fore wing contains large black spots.

Sometimes forewing veins are yellow outlined within the

black margins. Hind wing consists of bright orange

disco-cellular spot and is basally dusted with blackish

orange. Black border with a series of small orange yel-

low spots of uneven sizes are present in females (Figure

2(f)).

3.6.1. Status

In Asia, its range extends into central Siberia in the

north and bare ly into India, in the south. It is not found in

Central Asia.

3.6.2. Distribution

It was formerly recorded from Knyszyn forest of Bia-

lystok by Klimczuk [38]. Tayyab et al. [32] reported C.

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36 33

croceus from Bahawalpur and Perveen and Ahmad [27,

28] from Kohat.

3.7. Common Grass Yellow, Eurema hecabe

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wingspan is 3.7 ± 0.787 cm and body length 1.4 ±

0.216 cm. Body is lemon yellow both on upper and

lower surface. Terminal and apical borders are blackish

brown. Slightly pale yellow color underside comprises

red brown markings which is only present on part of

apex region. Under side cell base embraces 2 small spots.

Large kidney shaped ring spot is also present in the

disco-cellular region. Under hind wing includes disco-

cellular red ringed blotch along with post-distal region

curved lines (Figure 2(g)). Sexes are similar.

3.7.1. Status

It favors damper areas of Punjab and Sindh and also

found in Baluchistan and cultivated parts of KP.

3.7.2. Distribution

Vu and Vu [34] r epor ted from Vietnam and Khan et al.

[19] from district Bagh, Pakistan. It was reported by

Perveen and Ahmad from Kohat, Ahson and Iqbal [21]

from Lahore. Khan et al. [23] from district, Mirpur and

Bhimber and Naz et al. [24] reported from Buner. Iqbal

[20] reported it from district Rawalpindi and Islamabad

and Sharma and Joshi [29] from India.

3.8. Murree Green-Veined White, Pieris ajaka

(Moore 1865)

Wingspan is 5.85 ± 0.919 cm and body length 1.85 ±

0.07 cm. Male forewing have no trace of black spots in

between vein 3 and 4 whereas females have prominent

black spotting between vein 3 and 4 and between 1a and

1b. Pale yellow color is present at underside on both up-

per and hind wings. Grey dusting is present on margins

of underside. Generally, males have less dark scaling and

are paler on underside (Figure 2(h)).

3.8.1. Status

It occurs in northern valleys of Kashmir and Gurias

and also found in Murree Hills but less common than P.

napi.

3.8.2. Distribution

Shah et al. [39] and Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] re-

corded it from Kohat, Pakistan. Khan et al. [23] reported

same species from Mirpur and Bhimber, Pakistan.

3.9. Green-Veined White, Pieris napi

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wing span is 5.11 ± 1.28 cm and body length 1.7 ±

0.272 cm. Tip of the forewing is black with black spots.

Hindwings have veins conspicuously black on the under-

side and it is dusted with pale-greenish yellow. In fe-

males fore wing heavy markings are present in black

areas. The female has 2 spots on each forewing, the male

have only one (Figure 2(i)). Sexes differ from each other

like all white butterflies.

3.9.1. Status

It is present all over Swat and Lo wer Kagh an Valley. It

is commonly found in Murree Hills. It prefers damper

areas.

3.9.2. Distribution

Pandharipande [26] recorded it from Central India and

Tayyab et al. [32] from Bahawalpur. Shah et al. [39] and

Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] recorded it from Kohat,

Pakistan.

3.10. Bath White, Pontia daplidice

(Linnaeus 1758)

Wing span is 3.8 ± 0.442 cm and body length 1.39 ±

0.149 cm. Dorsal surface is white in color. Apex of the

forewing is dusted with black. Ventrally fore wing is

white, dusted with green. Hind wing is green with white

inner margin. Rounded white cell spot is present on un-

derside of hind wings. Sexes can be differentiated by

markings on the forewing. The male is distinguished

from the female by the marking s on the upper side of the

forewing. The apex of the forewing is black with white

spots and lines. There is a black spot at the end of the cell.

In female, there is a surplus distal spot in 1b. Obscure

row of terminal and marginal spots on the upper hind-

wing is also present in females (Figur e 2(j)).

3.10.1. Status

In South Asia, the Bath white ran ges fro m Baluchistan,

Chitral, Peshawar, Kashmir and along the Himalayas

right across the Central Himalayas up to Darjeeling. The

butterfly seems to be extending its range westwards

along the Himalayas.

3.10.2. Distribution

Khan et al. [19] recorded from district Bagh, Azad

Kashmir, Pakistan. Same species was reported by Shah et

al. [39] from Kohat and Naz et al. [24] from district

Buner, Pakistan. Khan et al. [35] reported from Muzaf-

frabad, Azad Kashmir and Iqbal [20] from districts

Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Khan et al. [23] reported

same species from district Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur,

Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

4. DISCUSSION

The present study is among the 1st documented report

for the butterfly fauna survey in Hazara University as

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36

well as Hazara division. A total of 170 specimens were

collected and preserved from three different study sites

of Hazara University. Identification revealed that 10 dif-

ferent species in 8 genera belonging to 3 families were

present in area. These species are P. demoleus, P. polytes,

P. daplid ice, P. napi, P. ajaka, D. chrysippus, C. carudi, J.

orithya , E. hecabe and C. croceus.

Shah et al. [39] made a survey of Kohat and collected

10 species belonging to only family Pieridae from seven

different localities over a period of 7 months during 1999.

In the present survey species belonging to different fami-

lies were reported. E. hecabe and P. daplidice were re-

corded from both the surveys whereas P. ajaka. P. napi

and C. croceus were only recorded from the present re-

search. It may be due to the difference in climatic condi-

tions of both the areas.

Perveen and Ahmad [27,28] evaluate the butterfly

fauna of Kohat, Pakistan during September-December

2008. Twenty-one species were recognized belonging to

3 different families. Pieridae covered 57%, Nympha lidae

33% and Papilionidae 10%, of total numbers of collected

butterflies of Kohat. Pieridae is reported as dominant

family during survey. Similarly these three families were

also reported in the present survey from Hazara Univer-

sity. Family Pieridae constitute large number of indi-

viduals followed by Nymphalidae and Papilionidae as

reported in Kohat fauna.

Martinez et al. [40] reported biodiversity and bio-

geography of butterfly’s fauna in Mexico. About 1800

species of butterflies were documented, constituting

about 10% of the butterfly fauna of the world. The 21

sites were acknowledged in Mexico for the abundance of

butterfly fauna and comparisons were made between

these sites. Perveen et al. [41] reported the characteriza-

tion and Perveen [42] described the distribution of but-

terflies of 5 sites of Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paki-

stan. About 21 species of butterflies were documented.

The collected species covered families Namphalidae, Pa-

pilionidae and Pieridae yielded 33%, 10%, and 57% but-

terfly diversity of the area, respectively. In contrast, only

10 species were recorded from the present survey but

difference was due differences in area covered in 3 stud-

ies. Comparison cannot be possible, however, almost same

ecological conditions were fou nd in the study areas.

Khan et al. [23] reported 16 species from Kotli, 20

from Mirpur and 19 from Bhimber, which showed great

resemblance with species collected from Hazara Univer-

sity. The present research matched with butterfly faunal

study of Skardu region by Khan et al. [7,22] as it re-

vealed 16 species belonging to 5 families. Ahson and

Iqbal [21] surveyed butterfly fauna of Lahore from a

number of localities. In another study, 21 species were

identified belonging to 3 different families from Kohat,

Pakistan during September-December 2008. The re-

ported families Namphalidae covered 33%, Papilionidae

10%, and Pieridae 57% biodiversity of butterflies of

Kohat [27,28,41,42]. The butterfly species from fore

mentioned studies, i.e., P. de mo le us , P. polytes, D. chry-

sippus and E. hecabe were recorded showed resemblance

with 10 species of butterflies from Hazara University.

Ambrose and Raj [43] evaluated Kalakad-Mundan-

thurai Tiger reserve Southern India butterfly fauna. Sur-

vey of about 7 months was done from September 2002-

March 2003. Study revealed 24 species of butterflies.

Reported species of India belongs to 9 families but only

4 families were studied in detail. From the present re-

search, only 10 species of 8 genera belonging to 3 fami-

lies were recorded in restricted small area of Hazara

University.

Hiller [44] studied the male genital structures of 3

species of butterflies from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Same area was resided by 3 species at the same time of

the year and their external morphology does not vary

greatly, therefore, genital structures were taken into con-

sideration for their identification. In the present research,

species identified by distinguishable external morphol-

ogy, therefore, genital structures were not studied.

Borang et al. [45] yielded 134 species of butterflies

from area of Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve of Aru-

nachal Pradesh, India. Recorded butterflies belong to 81

genera and 8 families whereas in the present research 8

genera belonging to 3 families were reported. Nym-

phalidae comprises 28 genera, Papilionidae 9 and Pieri-

dae 10 genera from the India. In contrast from the pre-

sent survey it was found that Pieridae comprises 4 genera,

Nymphalidae 3 and Paplionidae 1.

In the present research, administration area and main

campus showed least butterfly fauna as compare to resi-

dential area because species composition and abundance

is always dependent upon maintenance of natural habitat.

Another reason is shortage of time, i.e., survey was car-

ried out only for 4 months. If survey was done for long

time there would have been a substantial increase in

number of butterfli e s.

5. CONCLUSION

The present survey was conducted to ev aluate the but-

terfly fauna of Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan

during March-June 2012. Collection was done by twice

and thrice visits to the study sites. Total number of

specimens was 170. The 8 genera comprised of 10 dif-

ferent species belonging to 3 families were recorded.

These species were P. demoleus, P. polytes, P. daplidice,

E. hecabe, P. ajaka, D. chrysippus, P. napi, C. carudi, J.

orithya , and C. croceus.

6. RECOMMENDATION

Frequent survey should be done on large scale to fully

F. Perveen, F. Fazal / Open Journal of Animal Scie nces 3 (2013) 28-36 35

evaluate the butterfly fauna of Hazara division, as it is

least documented region of KP. Proper preventive meas-

ures should be taken in consideration in order to mini-

mize the natural habitat loss, as butterfly fauna is de-

pendent upon proper environmental conditions. Similar

surveys on large scales are recommended to fully evalu-

ate the butterfly fauna of Hazara division.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Dr. Ather Raf i, Director, National Insect Museum,

NARC, Islamabad for identification of butterflies. The authors are

grateful to Officials, Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Man-

sehra, Pakistan for providing laboratory facilities throughout the pre-

sent research. The experiments comply with the current laws of the

institution and country in which they were performed.

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