Abstract: Nymphalidae is by for the largest family of butterflies represented the world over. In the present studies from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, eight selected sites were sampled. The collected specimens were compared with the previously reported species of this family and out of 18 species, Kallima inachus was recorded for the first time from Pakistan.
Introduction
Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies (8,400 species) represented the world over (Holloway et al., 1987). The nymphalids are a group of robust butterflies that come in almost every shape and colour. Some of them are strikingly handsome with the underside of their wings generally drab and cryptically coloured. The majority of them are strong flier and love to bask in the sun. Males of this group are particularly quarrelsome and can be seen policing their territory. Some do visits flowers but they are generally more partial to over ripe fruits, tree sap and even aimed dung and urine. Mud puddling is not very popular among this group, but some species are frequently found on damp spots. The first pair of legs in these butterflies has brush-like dense tufts, but being imperfectly developed and clawless, these legs are not used for perching and walking (Gay et al., 1992; Hasan, 1997).
The taxonomic studies on the nymphalid fauna of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been made chiefly by Malik (1970), Iqbal (1978) and Hasan (1994, 1997) who described 03, 11, 05 and 12 species, respectively.
For a comprehensive study of the nymphalid fauna of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, some new sampling sites are also selected which were earlier neglected.
Materials and Methods
During 1997-98, eight different sites from the district of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were selected for extensive sampling of nymphalid butterflies (Fig. 1). The specimens were collected with the help of butterfly net and killed in a cyanide bottle. These were pinned and mounted on spreading boards. All the mounted material was left on spreading boards for 4-6 days; then transferred to boxes after labeling for preservation. Naphthaline balls mounted on pins and BHC powder were used as fumigant to save the preserved specimens from the attack of insects. A revolving stage and a WILD M3B binocular microscope (X10×1.6X) were used for identifying the specimens.
Collected specimens were compared with the laboratory collection of Integrated Pest Management Institute, NARC, Islamabad, IIBC, Rawalpindi and Department of Agri. Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
Results and Discussion
The following 18 species of nymphalid butterflies under 16 Genera were collected during the course of studies (Table 1). Out of these, one species (Kallima inachus) was recorded for the first time from Pakistan (Fig. 2, 3 and 4).
| Table 1: | Distribution of nymphalid butterflies in the District of Rawalpindi and Islamabad |
| Fig. 1: | Sampling sites of Nymphalid Butterflies |
| Fig. 2: | Upper side of Leaf Butterfly |
| Fig. 3: | Underside of Leaf Butterfly |
| Fig. 4: | Leaf Butterfly-a resemblence to stalk and veins of a leaf |
Kallima inachus (orange oak leaf or Indian leaf butterfly) constitutes, one of the most classic example of mimicry. The under side of wings is remarkably leaf-like even a midrib.
Wing Span: 3 ½ - 5 inch (92-130 cm).
Upper side of Wings
Fore wing: There is striking difference in the appearance of the upper side of the fore wing which is vividly coloured; a white spot stands out against the black apical zone; there is an orangish-yellow band and, finally, a grayish-blue basal area with contrasting white spots (Watson and Whally, 1984; Daccordi, 1987).
Hind wing: The upper side of the hind wings is largely violet gray with reddish tints, particularly evident along the costa (Daccordi, 1987).
Under side of Wings: The under side of both pairs of wings, display chesnut brown streaks, exactly extends from the tail to the apex; and from here run other even thinner dark stripes, which combine to give the appearance of the veining of a leaf (Watson and Whally, 1984; Daccordi, 1987).
It appears to fly in a straight line, as soon as it alligns, it close its wings, and appears to be a dead leaf (Stanck, 1977; Mani, 1986; Carter, 1992).
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Mr. Farooq Nasir, IIBC, Rawalpindi, for his kind help regarding literature and identification of specimens.