Butterfly Diversity in Sukuna Community Forest, Morang, Nepal

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the diversity of butterflies in Sukuna Community Forest, Morang, Nepal. Surveys were conducted from January to June 2025 (60 survey days) using the Pollard walk method along three 500 m line transects. We recorded 489 individuals from 31 species, 24 genera, and five families. The family Nymphalidae was dominant with 18 species and 297 individuals, while Hesperiidae was the least represented with one species and three individuals. Ecological indicators such as the Shannon-Weaver Index (H = 3.18), Pielou's evenness (E = 0.92), and Margalef's index (D = 4.84) revealed that the Sukuna community forest provides favourable habitat conditions, supporting high butterfly richness and abundance.