Updated Checklist of Butterfly Diversity (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Qatar

Authors: Assaad N and Alkhayat F*

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000616

Volume 7, Issue 5

Abstract

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) with their vibrant colours and ecological significance serve as crucial environmental indicators. This study documents the butterfly species inhabiting the challenging hot and arid climate of Qatar. Over a threeyear period from 2019 to 2022, a total of 96 specimens representing 15 species from four families were collected using standard entomological methods, including net sweeping and baiting across eight different locales. These families include Nymphalidae (3 species), Lycaenidae (4 species), Pieridae (6 species), and Papilionoidea (2 species). Notably, four species - Papilio demodocus, Belenois aurota, Colotis phisadia, and Colotis amata - are reported from Qatar for the first time, expanding the known butterfly fauna of the country. By amalgamating these novel findings with previously published results, this study presents an updated checklist of Qatar’s butterfly fauna, totalling 24 species spanning five families. This inventory sheds light on the diversity and distribution of butterflies in Qatar, emphasizing their resilience to extreme environmental conditions and underscoring the importance of conservation efforts amidst ongoing urbanization and agricultural expansion.

Keywords: Butterfly Diversity; Abundance Assessment; Species Checklist; Qatar Biodiversity; Arid Climate; Novel Records; Lepidoptera Fauna

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