A report on some butterflies (Lepidoptera) from Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir and Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Forty-two (42) species of butterflies were recorded from a short survey of Ladakh and Lahaul in the inner Himalaya in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Here, we provide location and altitude records for these species, data on their abundance, photo-documentation of the life cycle of Pieris deota and P. brassicae as well as the first published record of a larval host plant for P. deota. Twelve (12) of these species are protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Keywords

• biodiversity
• himalaya
• lepidoptera
• palearctic.