Diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperoidea) of Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

This preliminary study documented the diversity of butterflies of Dachigam National Park from 2004 to 2007.The field investigation was confined mostly to lower areas of the National Park and 27 species of butterflies were recorded. Except Hesperiidae, all the families were mostly active from April to August. 18 species showed mud puddling behaviour. Junonia orithya (Linnaeus) (Blue Pansy) and Neptis sappho Pallas (Pallas’ Sailer) are reported for the first time from Kashmir Valley.