Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 6 4 2024 12 31 Lepidopteran diversity and seasonal variations in a mountainous scrubland ecosystem of Kumaun Himalaya, India 38 50 732509 10.22034/JAD.2024.6.4.4 EN Surabhi Bisht Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, India 0000-0001-7011-5821 Manoj Kumar Arya Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, India 0000-0001-6677-5763 Journal Article 2024 09 12 <span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Research on insect fauna is crucial for assessing ecosystem health and understanding the impacts of human activities on natural resources. A comprehensive inventory of species diversity, particularly within the order Lepidoptera, is therefore essential. The understudied scrub region of Nainital District in the Kumaun division of Uttarakhand, in the Western Himalaya, represents a significant gap in our knowledge, particularly regarding the state’s Lepidopteran diversity. We quantitatively analysed the diversity and seasonal dynamics of Lepidopteran species in this scrubland habitat. The study documented 65 species belonging to 55 genera and 11 families, recorded during the survey period from March 2022 to February 2023<em><span style="color: black;">.</span></em> Although no new species records were found, the study provides <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">important baseline data for this biotope</span>, which contributes to understanding the Lepidopteran diversity. </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Family Nymphalidae exhibited the highest richness, with 21 species, whereas Riodinidae and Nolidae each had a single species. </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Despite threats from habitat degradation, fragmentation, and fire suppression, the estimated Shannon diversity index (H' = 4.03) indicates high species richness and evenness, suggesting a well-balanced ecosystem in terms of observed diversity. <span style="color: black; background: white;">Further taxonomic documentation of the Lepidopteran fauna from the region is vital for assessing </span>ecological status and pressures such as habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances.</span> https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_732509_62a1708ddf3682dc19fb2906d2314639.pdf