Butterfly Biodiversity (Nougraun village, Chail Chowk, Mandi, H.P.)

The present study was conducted in Chail chowk of Distt. Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) to observe various insect species found in the village. Chail chowk, which lies near the Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary, has a suitable climatic condition and weather that support great diversity of insect's species. During the present study, 46 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families are recorded. The most abundant family is Nymphalidae followed by Pieridae, Papilionidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae. Analysis of these species for abundance revealed that 26 species belongs to the family Nymphalidae, family Pieridae represents 9 species, family Papilionidae represents 4 species, family Lycaenidae represents 4 species and family Hesperiidae represents 3 species. The percentage composition of species is maximus in Nymphalidae (58%) followed by Pieridae (18%), Papilionidae (9%), Lycaenidae (9%) and Hesperiidae (6%). Butterflies are found in a wide range of environments and perform a variety of vital ecological services. They can be used as biological control agents to eradicate natural pests in agricultural settings. Butterflies act as predators, hunting, attacking, killing, and eating hazardous species. Beneficial insects aid in the maintenance of a healthy, well-functioning biological system. Presence of butterflies in environment is important in order to make an ecological balance. As butterflies are very important part of our ecosystem and a few records are studied in Chail chowk village, hence an effort is made to record the diversity of insects in the Chail chowk village. This paper provides a checklist of various butterfly species found in Chail chowk village.