Species richness and diversity of lepidoptera in an agricultural ecosystem of Bhabar region in district Nainital, Uttarakhand

Species richness, abundance, and species diversity of the insect order Lepidoptera was studied in an agricultural ecosystem of Bhabar region in Chhoi, district Nainital, Uttarakhand from March 2018 to February 2020. 838 individuals of Lepidopterans were collected, which belonged to 68 species of 12 families. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant family with 19 species and 30.9% of total individuals, followed by Pieridae (14 species and 39.7% individuals), Lycaenidae (11 species and 12.7% individuals), Papilionidae (8 species and 9.3% individuals), Erabidae (6 species and 3.5% individuals), Hesperiidae (3 species and 1.6% individuals), Noctuidae (2 species and 3% individuals), Eupterotidae, Zygaenidae, Sphingidae, Crambidae, Geometridae (1 species and 1.5% individuals each). Significant correlation was observed between temperature and species richness, and abundance of individuals collected.The highest diversity of Lepidopterans was (H'=1.857), evenness (E=0.9806; highest value is 1), Margalef's species richness (d=2.457), and Dominance Index (D=0.358). Foraging activity of Lepidopterans as flower pollinators/visitors was also recorded.