Butterfly species diversity in the urban environment of the derived Savanna Forest of Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effects of various land-use types, resulting from continuous land-use changes and conversions, on the distribution and diversity of butterflies in an urban-derived savanna location. The area was divided into five land-use zones: farm, residential, recreational, aquatic, and utility areas using the transect method for five months in 2024 (January-May). Data was analyzed using Python. A total of 2,173 butterflies from five families were recorded: Nymphalidae (52%), Papilionidae (23%), Lycaenidae (9%), Hesperiidae (9%), and Pieridae (7%). Hesperiidae was recorded for the first time and was exclusive to aquatic areas. Nymphalidae and Pieridae dominated aquatic and recreational areas, while Lycaenidae and Papilionidae exhibited a balanced distribution across locations. Wet season butterfly abundance was higher than dry season. Significant differences were found in butterfly counts (p < 0.05) across land use types. Butterfly counts peaked between March and April and slightly declined in May. Aquatic and residential areas had the highest counts, while aquatic and farmland areas exhibited the greatest species diversity. The study concluded that land-use types significantly influence butterfly abundance, diversity, and species richness, with the aquatic area supporting the highest species count