Butterfly diversity in Jitpur Simara Sub-metropolitan City, Bara District, Nepal: a preliminary checklist

Butterflies are among the most charismatic creatures, a well-studied group of insects, and significant bioindicators of the terrestrial ecosystem. Despite several studies conducted in different regions of Nepal, research in the tropical areas remains sparse. Hence, this study aimed to prepare a checklist of butterflies in the tropical region of the Bara District, Nepal. We conducted opportunistic butterfly surveys using the checklist method over a complete annual cycle (May 2023-April 2024) across three habitat types: forests, agricultural lands, and human settlements. A total of 85 butterfly species from 66 genera belonging to six families were recorded. Among them, the Nymphalidae family was the richest in terms of species (S = 41), followed by Lycaenidae (S = 19), Pieridae (S = 12), Hesperiidae and Papilionidae (S = 6), and Riodinidae (S = 1). Among the recorded species, 12 are classified as Least Concern, and 73 are Not Evaluated, according to the IUCN Red List. The record of such a vast number of species from a small area underscores the importance of tropical regions for butterfly habitats. This study highlights the biodiversity value of the central Terai and provides a baseline for future research and conservation planning.