Diversity of Butterflies (Lepidoptera) in Moolia, Union Council Bakote, District Abbottabad

Abstract

The present was conducted to asses the butterfly diversity, seasonal variation and habitat association in Moolia, union council Bakota, District Abbottabad from September 2025 to May 2026. Five habitat types were randomly selected for the collection butterfly specimens and identified up to species level. A total of 24 species under 209 genera of 11 sub-families and 4 families were recorded. The family Nymphalidae was the most dominant (50.5%) followed by Pieridae (32.4%), while Pieris brassicae was the most abundant species. Grassland represented highest species diversity of butterflies while the lowest species diversity was recorded in agricultural fields. September indicated highest butterfly abundance while the lowest abundance was noted in March. These results revealed a baseline information on butterfly diversity and highlighted the importance of conserving natural habitats and flowering vegetation to sustain butterfly populations and regional biodiversity.