UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Butterflies are ecologically important organisms and are widely recognised as useful bio-indicators of environmental changes. The present study aimed to document butterfly diversity in and around Bongaigaon Tea Estate, Bongaigaon, Assam, India, where locality-specific information on butterfly assemblages was previously unavailable. A 12-month survey was conducted from August 2025 to July 2026 across the approximately 1.55 km² study area. Line transects and visual encounter surveys were employed for field documentation, while photographic evidence was obtained using an iPhone 16 and a Canon 3000D equipped with a 300 mm zoom lens. A total of 42 butterfly species belonging to six families were recorded. Nymphalidae was the most species-rich family, comprising 18 species, followed by Lycaenidae (7), Papilionidae (6), Pieridae (6), Hesperiidae (4), and Riodinidae (1). Lemon Pansy (Junonia lemonias), Common Mormon (Papilio polytes), Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda), and Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) were among the commonly observed species. Conservation-status assessment indicated that several recorded species are categorised as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List, while others currently lack a global assessment. Five recorded species were identified as legally protected: Papilio clytia, Troides aeacus, Troides helena, Euploea mulciber, and Baoris farri. Despite the relatively small size and human-modified nature of the study area, the occurrence of 42 species highlights the potential of the tea-estate landscape and surrounding vegetation to support local butterfly diversity. However, noticeable habitat fragmentation and habitat loss associated with ongoing development may threaten the persistence of this diversity. As a preliminary faunal assessment, the study provides baseline information for Bongaigaon Tea Estate and can serve as a reference for future monitoring, comparative studies, and landscape-level conservation planning.