Academic Journal of Entomology 8 (3): 160-167, 2015 ISSN 1995-8994 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aje.2015.8.3.96177

A Preliminary Study of Fauna of Tehsil and District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

11Naila Afshan, Muhammad Ayaz Khan, 1 Shah Fahad Ali Khan, 22Noor ul Akbar, Azra Azam and 2 Asma Naseem

1Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 2Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract: Due to delicate charisma and eye catching color the are called “ of the sun” which are found everywhere in the world having about 17,200 species. This preliminary study was conducted from September 2014 to December 2014 to explore the butterfly fauna of Tehsil and District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During the study, 15 butterfly species were collected which were belonging to order , four families, including , , Lycaenidae and Papilionidae, five subfamilies including Nymphalinae, Pierinae, Coliadinae, Coliaclinae and Papilioninae and 11 Genera. Nymphalidae was the most abundant family represented by 8 butterfly species consisting of orithya, Junonia hierta, Junonia iphita, Junonia almana, Aphantopus hyperantus, Danus chrysippus, cardui and Cynthia sthenele. The family Pieridae was embodied to five species, namely Pieris canidia, amata, hecabe, Catopsilia ponoma and Colias croceus. The family Lycaenidae and Papilionidae were comprised of one species each, Celastrina argiolus and Papilio demoleus respectively.

Key words: Tehsil Chitral Butterfly diversity Nymphalidae Pieridae

INTRODUCTION In such number 1,504 species of butterfly are known from the Indian subcontinent [7]. Among the insects, Butterflies are generally called “insects of the sun” butterflies inhabit a dynamic place in the environment and with their delicate charisma and eye catching color. their occurrence and diversity are well-thought-out as They have been well-regarded for centuries for their good indicators of the health of any given terrestrial physical beauty and behavioral presentation [1]. biosphere [8]. Butterfly displays a great diversity in size, Butterflies are observed as the sign of grace and beauty shape and color according to their habitat and ecosystem. since the dawn of the time and are best well-known Biodiversity is the variety of species in the environment, due to their diurnal habitats and are readily recognized by or the variety of life on earth [9]. their bright colors shapes and graceful flights, which give Butterflies and their larvae play central characters in pleasure to everyone [2, 3]. Which are found almost in ecologically effective, containing pollination and nutrient every part of the world where ever the flowering plants are cycling. Butterflies would be considered as possible found; inhabiting even very high altitudes except natural indicators and for their preservation and Antarctic and Arctic and mountainous which are covered maintenance [10]. with perpetual snow and glaciers [4]. Diversity study is a About 135 butterfly species are present in Pakistan significant subject in today’s world, because biodiversity [11]. In out of 450 individual butterfly fauna at district is essential for protection of overall environmental quality Buner, Khayber Pakhtunkhwa. In which the 36 species, and stabilization of the ecosystem [5]. About a total of were identified, belonging to 25 genera and 8 families 17,200 butterfly species present throughout the globe [6]. respectively [12, 13]. In district Kohat 10 species were

Corresponding Author: Noor Ul Akbar, Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Tel: +92-322-2793476, E-mail: [email protected]. 160 Acad. J. Entomol., 8 (3): 160-167, 2015 recorded of butterflies, which were belonging to family in which Chitral regional sport polo is played annually. Pieridae from 7 different stations over duration of seven The elevation of Chitral varies from about 1070 m months throughout 1999. The present study was carried (about 3500 ft) in the extreme south in Arandu to 7,690 m out in order to assess the species richness and diversity (25,230 ft) at Tirich Mir in the Hindu Kush range [14]. of butterflies in three union councils of district Chitral, The temperature of the main Chitral in July reaches up to KPK, Pakistan. 35.52°C. June and July are the hottest months and January and February the coldest months of the year. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Designs: The present study was carried out from 6 Study Area: District Chitral is situated in the extreme different localities of three different union councils of northeast of the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province of Tehsil Chitral, i.e., Chitral 1 (Moughlandeh and Muldah), Pakistan, which is tremendously beautiful with distinct Chitral 2 (Baluch and Singur) and Chitral 3 (Danine and Chitrali culture and history. It is one of the biggest Jughoor) were selected for the evaluation of diversity of districts of Pakistan have a maximum length of about butterfly, distribution, abundance and morphometric 240 kilometers and its wide range from 2.14 to 14.4 analysis of body length (BL) and wing span (WS) of Kilometers (Figure 1). It also possesses a polo ground identified species during, September to December, 2014.

Fig. 1: Map of District Chitral showing study stations

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Materials: Entomological net, sweep net, killing a bottle Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed through containing KCN, insect pins, digital camera, insect boxes, Microsoft Excel, 2011 and P value less than 0.05 was seating boards, naphthalene ball, scale and field book. considered significant.

Collection and Preservations: The collection of butterfly RESULTS specimens was carried out from Union Council Chitral 1, 2 and 3, District Chitral KPKK, Pakistan with the help of Diversity of Butterfly: In the current study, fifteen (15) entomological net, sweep net and hand picking and butterfly species were identified from union councils preserved in the killing bottle containing potassium Chitral 1, 2 and 3 Tehsil Chitral, District Chitral. The cyanide (KCN). The butterfly specimens were later on identified butterfly species belonged to one (1) order, four stretched and measured with the help of divider and scale (4) families, five (5) subfamilies and eleven (11) genera. in centimeter (cm). They were pinned and their body parts Eight (8) species belonged to family Nymphalidae, five (5) were set on thermopile setting board in the laboratory. species to family Pieridae and one species, each to family Specimens were labeled with scientific name and location Lycaenidae and Papilionidae (Table 1). of collection along with date. On drying these were The Nymphalidae family was represented by Junonia correctly tagged and fixed in the collection boxes. orithya, Junonia hierta, Junonia iphita, Junonia Naphthalene balls were placed in the boxes to keep them almana, Aphantopus hyperantus, Danus chrysippus, safe from the pests. Cercyonis cardui and Cynthia sthenele. Pieridae family was represented by Pieris canidia, Colotis amata, Identification: For identification of the butterfly fauna Eurema hecabe, Catopsilia ponoma and Colias croceus, different keys and available literature were used [15, 16]. Lycaenidae family was represented by Celastrina Butterflies were also identified with the help of preserved argiolus and Papilionidae was represented by Papilio samples, experts, photos and by recording morphometric demoleus (Table 1). parameters. All the identified specimens were deposited The family Nymphalidae were significantly higher in the museum of the Department of Zoology Sheringal, 53 percent of butterfly species, family Pieridae were also University, Sub-Campus Chitral and Pakistan. shown the maximum 33 percent of species followed by family Lycaenidae and Papilionidae 7 percent each in Morphological Study: Identified specimens were during the study (Figure 2). subjected for measurement of their body length (BL) and The maximum Morphometry of Papilo demoleus wing span (WS) with the help of graph paper and a ruler. 2.9±0.11 Body Length, 10.3±0.65 Wing Span and followed by Danus chrysippus 2.5±0.36 Body Length, 8.04±0.71 Photography: After the identification and measurement Wing Span are significantly (P<0.05) higher than other of specimens, they were placed one by one on top of a species. While Cercynonis sthenele 1±0.07 Body Length, light blue paper. Photographs were taken on dorsal side 3.3±0.48 Wing Span and Junonia hierta 1.5±0.15 Body as well as by ventral side by using a digital camera, Length, 4.2±0.24 Wing Span were not significantly higher Yashica (9.2 megapixels), made in England. (Table 2).

Table 1: Classification of identified butterfly species during present study Order Family Subfamily Genus Species Nymphalinae Junonia Junonia orithya Junonia hierta Junonia iphita Junonia almanac Nymphalidae Aphantopus Aphantopus hyperantus Danus Danus chrysippus Lepidoptera Cynthia Cynthia cardui Cercyonis Cercyonis sthenele Pieridae Pierinae Pieris Pieris canidia Coliadinae Colotis Colotis amata Eurema Eurema hecabe Catopsilia Catopsilia ponoma Coliaclinae Colias Colias croceus Lycaenidae Celastrina Celastrina argiolus Papilionidae Papilioninae Papilio Papilio demoleus

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Table 2: Body length (BL) and Wing span (WS) of identified species captured from the study area Mean±SD ------R.NO Names of Species N BL (cm) WS (cm) 1 Danus chrysippus 45 2.5±0.36aa8.04±0.71 2 Eurema hecabe 43 1.6±0.39bb5.04±0.80 3 Aphantopus hyperantus 40 1.7±0.35nn5.62±0.64 4 Celastrina argiolus 35 1.8±0.26 nn5.2±0.57 5 Junonia almana 34 1.3±0.11nn4.9±0.80 6 Junonia iphita 32 1.4±0.22 nn4.3±0.67 7 Cynthia cardui 28 1.3±0.16 nn4.08±0.22 8 Cercyonis sthenele 25 1±0.07bb3.3±0.48 9 Pieris canidia 22 1.8±0.14nn5.5±0.26 10 Colotis amata 19 1.6±0.19nn4.9±0.27 11 Catopstha ponoma 14 2.5±0.22nn7.8±0.40 12 Colias croceus 13 1.3±0.11nn5±0.50 13 Papilo demoleus 9 2.9±0.11aa10.3±0.65 14 Junonia orithya 6 1.6±0.11nn4.8±0.23 15 Junonia hierta 4 1.5±0.15bb4.2±0.24 a = more significant, b = significant and n = non signifiant

Table 3: Relative abundance, percentage relative abundance, monthly abundance and total abundance of identified butterfly species from the study area Name of species Sep Oct Nov Dec Abun RA %RA Danus chrysippus 13 12 14 6 45 0.12 12.23 Eurema hecabe 13 15 11 4 43 0.11 11.65 Aphantopus hyperantus 12 15 9 4 40 0.10 10.84 Celastrina argiolus 11 11 10 3 35 0.09 9.48 Junonia almana 10 10 8 6 34 0.09 9.21 Junonia iphita 8 10 7 7 32 0.08 8.67 Cynthia cardui 6 8 10 4 28 0.07 7.58 Cercyonis sthenele 7 8 7 3 25 0.06 6.77 Pieris canidia 8 8 5 1 22 0.05 5.96 Colotis amata 5 6 5 3 19 0.05 5.14 Catopstha ponoma 6 6 2 0 14 0.03 3.57 Colias croceus 4 6 2 1 13 0.03 3.52 Papilo demoleus 4 4 1 0 9 0.02 2.24 Junonia orithya 4 1 1 0 6 0.01 1.62 Junonia hierta 1 2 1 0 4 0.01 1.00 Total 112 122 93 42 369 100 *Abun= Abundance, *RA= Relative Abundance, *%RA= Percentage relative abundance

Fig. 2: Family wise percentage distribution of butterfly species

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Fig. 3: Prevalence of different species of butterflies in district Chitral

Fig. 4: Identified species percentage abundance in union council Chitral 1, 2 and 3, Tehsil and District Chitral, KPK, Pakistan

Fig. 5: Monthly wise butterfly specimen abundance of union council Chitral 1, 2 and 3, Tehsil and District Chitral, KPKK, Pakistan

It was found out from the current study that in the The highest percentage of butterfly species overall butterfly species abundance, D. chrysippus were recorded from union council Chitral 3 (38%) showed (45%), the highest position followed by followed by union council Chitral 2 (34%) and then E. hecabe (43%) the and lowest position were union council Chitral 3 (28%) (Figure 4). P. demoleus (9%) and J. orithya (6%) followed by The highest specimen abundance was recorded J. hierta (4%) of union council Chitral 1, 2 and in October followed by September and lowest 3, Tehsil and District Chitral, KPK, Pakistan specimens were recorded in November and December (Figure 3). respectively (Figure 5).

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DISCUSSION months in 1999. The similar species of family Pieridae were also recorded from union council Chitral 1, 2 and 3 The current study was carried out on Diversity of which show the great sameness in both surveys. Butterfly fauna of Union Council Chitral 1, 2 and 3, Tehsil According to Fitzherbert et al. [17] a total of 90 species Chitral, District Chitral, KPK and Pakistan. The collection from Gilgit and Khunjerab were obsereved at high of butterfly was carried out during September to elevation. Due to climatic fluctuation some species were December 2014. During the assessment the study area not captured from study area. (Union Council Chitral 1, 2 and 3) was divided into 6 Perveen and Ahmad [18] analyzed the butterfly localities i.e., Moughlandeh, Muldeh, Singur, Balach, diversity of Kohat, Pakistan. In such study, 21 species Jughoor and Danin. The collection was carried out were belonged to three families, Pieridae represented fifty randomly from each station. During the current study a seven percent, Nymphalidae covered thirty three percent total of 369 specimens was recorded and preserved and Papilionidae represented ten percent, of total samples. Fifteen butterfly species were identified during numbers of collected butterflies of Kohat. Pieridae is the current study. The identified species belonged to 11 recorded as leading family during survey. Equally, these genera, 5 subfamilies, 4 family and order. The most three families were also stated in the current study from abundant family was Nymphalidae represented by 8 union councils Chitral 1, 2 and 3. According to a study species and family Lycaenidae and Papilionidae was that was conducted on the biodiversity of butterfly in represented by one species each. district Kotli, district Mirpur and Bhimber of Azad High butterfly diversity was found in the month of Kashmir, Pakistan, showing that a total of sixteen species October, a total of 122 specimens, followed by September from Kotli, twenty species from Mirpur and nineteen where 112 specimens were captured and the lowest was in species from Bhimber belonging to seven families and the month of December where 42 specimens were thirty genera [19]. Gaonkar [20] alsoreported a total of collected from all councils during the present study. 1501 species of butterfly from Indian region. Such Among the butterfly diversity Danus chrysippus was the reported specie resemblance with the study area of union most abundant species represented by 45 specimens, councils Chitral 1, 2 and 3. Verma et al. [21] reported the followed by Eurema hecabe of 43 specimens and less butterfly diversity of Indian subcontinent during 2004. abundant was Junonia hierta represented by 4 specimens They showed 6 genera Danaidae, 15 Papilionidae and during the study. The other identified butterfly species 25 Pieridae of the same country. During present study were Junonia orithya, Junonia iphita, Junonia almana, 15 species were collected and identified belonging to 4 Aphantopu shyperantus, Cercyonis cardui, Cynthia families including 11 genera family Nymphalidae has sthenele, Papilio demoleus, Celastrina argiolus, Pieris highest number of individual and followed by Pieridae. canidia, Colotis amata, Catopsilia ponoma and Colias Weber [22] reported about 115 species of butterflies in the croceus. However the earlier researchers as mensioned northern woods of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and below, reported the butterfly fauna from different region the south on Canada. Nicholas [23] recorded a total of of the country and aboard the country, which compared fifty two butterfly species in Brazos Country with the current study. Nymphalidae, 20 species, Hesperioidea, 16 species, According to as a study conducted about the Papilionidae, 3 species, Pieridae, 7 species, Lycaenidae butterfly fauna diversity of District Buner, Khyber and 6 species. The maximum number of Nymphalidae and Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of four hundred and fifty Pieridae are also recorded from union councils Chitral 1, 2 specimens of butterfly were collected, in which thirty six and 3. Elanchezhyan et al. [24] reported a total of 23 species were identified belonging to twenty five genera species and 19 genera belonging to 8 families, and falling in eight families [12]. In the current study only Nymphalidae represented 7 species, followed by fifteen species were captured, falling into eleven genera Papilionidae and Pieridae 5 species each, show great belonged to four families. The largest number of species resemblance in both study areas. represented by family Pieridae while in present studyfamily Nymphalidae were represented 8 species and CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION followed by family Pieridae 5 species. However, the mixing of species in both these areas quite similar. The butterfly fauna of selected areas (three different Shah et al. [13] analyzed the butterfly diversity of District union councils of Tehsil Chitral, i.e., Chitral 1 Kohat and reported ten species belonged to only family (Moughlandeh and Muldah), Chitral 2 (Baluch and Pieridae from seven localities during a period of seven Singur) and Chitral 3 (Danine and Jughoor) was

165 Acad. J. Entomol., 8 (3): 160-167, 2015 represented by 15 species, belonging to 1 order, 4 families 9. Lipinski, S. and Tweed, 2003. Environmental Science. and 11 genera. Family Nymphalidae was the most Scott Foresman, Addison Wesley New York. abundant family represented by 8 species. Family 10. Bonebrake, T.C., L.C. Ponisi, C.L. Boggs and Pieridae represented by 5 species, Lycaenidae and P.R. Ehrlich, 2010. More than just indicators a review Papilionidae were represented by one species each. of tropical butterfly ecology and conservation. Enlisted species are Junonia orithya, Junonia hierta, Biological Conservation, 143: 1831-1841. Junonia iphita, Junonia almana, Aphantopus 11. Roberts, T.J., 2001. Butterflies of Pakistan. Oxford hyperantus, Danus chrysippus, Cercyonis cardui, University Press, London and New York, pp: 200. Cynthia sthenele, Pieris canidia, Colotis amata, Eurema 12. Naz, F., M.A. Rafi, M. Inayatullah and Y. Tuzor, 2001. hecabe, Catopsilia ponoma, Colias croceus, Celastrina The Butterflies of the the Buner District, North-West- argiolus and Papilio demoleus. Butterfly abundance was Frontier Province, Pakistan. Helios collection of high in October and low from November to December. Lepidopterological Articles, 2: 123-224. High 38% of specimens were collected from union council 13. Shah, M., M.A. Rafi and M. Inyatullah, 2001. Some Chitral 3. pierid butterflies of Kohat district. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 17(3): 407-413. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 14. Ali, H. and M. Qaiser, 2009. The Ethnobotany of Chitral valley, Pakistan with particular reference to The authors acknowledged all staffs of department of medicinal plants. Pakistan Journal of Botany, Zoology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal 41(4): 2009-2041. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan for cooperation in current 15. Abbas, M., M.A. Rafi, M. Inayatullaha and research work. P. Pavulaan, 2002. and distribution of butterflies of the Skardu region, Pakistan. Taxonomic REFERENCES Report. The International Lepidoptera Survey (TILS), USA, 3(26): 1-9. 1. Natural Resource Conservation Service Butterflies 16. Munir, A., N. Yasmin, M.A. Rafi, H. Pavulaan and (Order: Lepidoptera), 2000. Fish and Wildlife Habitat D. Wright, 2007. Bionomic studies of Papilio Management Leaflet, 15: 1-12. demoleus Linnaeus, the citrus butterfly 2. Owen, D.F., 1971. Tropical butterflies. Clarendon (Lepidoptera: Papilionid) from lower Sindh, Pakistan. press, Oxford, pp: 214. Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera 3. Borges, R.M., V. Gowda and M. Zacharias, 2003. Survey, 6(8): 1-11. Butterfly pollination and high contrast visual 17. Fitzherbert, E., T. Gardner and T.R.B. Davenport, signals in a low-density distylous plant. Oecologia, 2006. Butterfly species richness and abundance in the 136: 571-573. Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania. African 4. Hassan, S.A., 1997. Biogeography and diversity of Journal of Ecology, 44(3): 353-362. butterflies of North West Himalaya. In: Biodiversity 18. Perveen, F. and A. Ahmad, 2012. Checklist of of Pakistan (eds. S.A. Mutfti, C.A. Wood and S.A. butterfly fauna of Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hassan). Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Pakistan. , 1(3): 112-117. Islamabad, Florida Museum of National History, 19. Khan, M.R., M.A. Rafi, M. Munir, S. Hussain, Gainesville USA, pp: 181-204. M.W. Baig and M.W. Khan, 2007. Biodiversity of 5. Ehrlich, P.R. and E.O. Wilson, 1991. Biodiversity Butterflies from Districts Kotli, Mirpur and studies science and policy. Sci., 253: 758-762. Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 6. Kunte, K.A., 2000. Butterflies of Peninsular . 39(1): 27-34. Indian Academy of Sciences, Universities Press 20. Gaonkar, H., 1996. Butterflies of the Western ghats, (India) Limited, pp: 254. India, including Sri Lanka Biodiversity assessment of 7. Tiple, A.D., 2011. Butterflies of Vidarbha region, a threatened mountain system, Centre for Ecological Maharashtra State, central India. Journal of Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Threatened Taxa, 3(1): 1469-1477. the Natural History Museum, London, pp: 18. 8. Thomas, J.A., 2005. Monitoring change in the 21. Verma, A., S. Balachandran and N. Chaturvedi, 2004. abundance and distribution of insects using A preliminary report on the biodiversity of Mahul butterflies and their indicator groups. Philosophical Creek, Mumbai, India with special reference to Transactions of the Royal Society, 360: 339-357. avifauna. Zoos' Print Journal, 19(9): 1599-1605.

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