Key for Identification of Butterflies (Lepidoptera) of Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan

The present survey of butterflies (Lepidoptera) of Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan was conducted during March-June 2012 and the key has been made for their identification. Total 170 specimens were collected from which 10 species with 8 genera belonging to 3 families were identified from 3 study sites. According to families, 50% species were belonging to Pieridae, 30% Namphalidae and 20% Papilionidae families. According to the study sites, 53% collection were made from residential area, 34% from main campus and 12% from administration area. The species were identified, the painted lady, Cynthia cardui (Linnaeus); blue pansy, Junonia orithya Linnaeus; and plain tiger, Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus) were belonging to family Nymphalidae. The lime butterfly, Papilio demoleus Linnaeus and common mormon, Pa. polytes Linnaeus were belonging to family Papilionidae. The dark clouded yellow, Colias croceus (Geoffroy); common grass yellow, Eumera hecab (Linnaeus); Murree green-veined white, Pieris ajaka Moore; green-veined white, P. napi (Linnaeus) and Bath white, Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus) were belonging to family Pieridae. The most encountered species found was Po. daplidice whose 125 specimens were collected. The least encountered species were P. polytes and D. chrysippus, i.e., for each 1 specimen was collected. The largest wingspan was found D. chrysippus: (7±0 cm; n=1) and the smallest was E. hecabe: (3.7±0.8 cm; n=4). The largest body-length was found D. chrysippus (2.5±0.0 cm; n=1) and the smallest was E hecabe and J. orithya (1.4 cm; n=4). It is suggests that this region may have a diverse butterfly fauna. Similar surveys on large scales are recommended to fully evaluate the butterfly fauna of Hazara division.