ABSTRACT

Butterflies are one of the most well-known and diverse groups of insects, characterized by their colorful wings and unique life cycle. The present study reflects the richness and diversity of butterflies in parts of University of Benin. A total of  282 individuals of butterflies were caught and snapped with the use of sweep net and a camera from three families ( Nymphalidae, Pieridae and Papilionidae), 12 genera and 16 species were encountered from two study sites;  faculty of life science field and faculty of Agriculture workshop road, the sampling of these site was done once or twice in two weeks from 08.00 and 11.00 hrs and 3:00 and 5:00 in the morning and evening respectively from May to August 2023. The highest number of butterflies were recorded belonging to the family Nymphalidae (11 species), followed by family Pieridae (4 species) and family Papilionidae (1 specie). Butterflies belonging to the family Nymphalidae were the most aundant accounting for 69% of the total butterflies collected in all locations. Data was analysed with descriptive statistics (%), Shannon-Weiner’s diversity index (H=2.655), Simpson's dominance index (1-D=0.9259) and evenness (E=0.8889) which were high. The study encourages subsequent researches on the diversity of butterfly in different areas in University of Benin which will be important and necessary for continued studies.