A study of butterfly species richness and composition at makerere university main campus

Abstract

The aim of the study was to collect information about the diversity of butterfly in Makerere university campus. Data was collected for a period of two weeks using purposive count point method along with sweep net to trap butterflies that requires further research to be identified correctly. The objective of this was to discover, prepare a checklist of butterfly species and secondly to find out which butterfly species is predominant at campus. A total of 2728 individual butterflies belonging to 29 species, 14 genera and 5 families were sampled. The most abundant species was Mylothris agathina richlora, with a relative abundance of (18.48) and Nymphalidae the dominant family sighted. Availing data on the various species of butterflies in Makerere University may act as a back bone for further research on the campus as an initiative to conserving butterflies in the institution. This is the first study in Makerere University main campus, more survey is recommended to update the list of butterfly present on campus.