Altitudinal Variation in Butterfly Distribution and Species Richness of Chamoli District, Uttarakhand

A field survey of butterflies was conducted from March 2023 to April 2025 at 17 altitudinal sites ranging from 1377 to 3000 meters with the transect walk sampling technique. In the study area, we recorded 2586 individuals and 74 butterfly species, belonging to 49 genera and six families. Nymphalidae is the most dominant family, with 32 species, comprising 43% of the overall count, followed by Pieridae with 14 species (19%), Lycaenidae with 13 species (18%), Papilionidae with 6 species (8%), Hesperidae with 6 species (8%), and finally Riodinidae with 3 species (4%). The Shannon Diversity Index (H’) ranged from 3.711 to 4.299. In the study area, we recorded seven IUCN RED LIST CATEGORY butterflies. This research aims to provide the first known record of butterfly species from this region. This study lays a foundation for future research and conservation efforts.