Diversity of butterfly in and around Vijaynagar of district Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh, India

The butterfly survey was carried out in and around Vijaynagar of District Changlang Arunachal Pradesh for the first time from Jan 2021 to Dec 2022. A total of 281 species of butterfly belonging to 5 families of 147 genera namely; Papilionidae (28 sp.), Pieridae (30 sp.), Lycaenidae (61sp.), Nymphalidae (120 sp.), and Hesperiidae (42 sp.) were recorded during the present study. The family Nymphalidae was the most dominant among the recorded butterflies, followed by Lycaenidae, Hesperiidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae. From the recorded species 47 were listed under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, of which 9 sp. were listed to Schedule I, 32 sp. to Schedule II and 6 sp. to Schedule IV respectively. The encounter of rare, endemic and endangered species indicates potential biodiversity in the region. Therefore, a more detailed and systematic investigation is necessary. Further, proper strategies and plans are required for sustainable conservation to keep these rare, endemic and endangered species from being pushed to extinction.