Diversity indices of butterflies in all the three zones
The eastern zone (EZ) was the most diverse site for butterflies, with the highest relative abundance of individuals (N = 329) and the highest species richness (S = 55), which was corroborated with the highest Margalef index (d = 9.317) with a Shannon Weiner index (H’= 2.616) (Table 2). Two families Lycaenidae and Pieridae had the highest relative abundance of individuals (42.9% and 30.7%) (Table 1).
The western zone (WZ) had low species richness (S = 22) and the lowest relative abundance of individuals (N= 41) with the highest Shannon Weiner index (H’= 2.807) corroborated by the highest Pielou evenness (J’= 0.908) (Table 2). Family Nymphalidae accounted for 61% of all the butterflies recorded in this zone (Table 1).
The Northern zone (NZ) had the lowest species richness (S = 21) as well as low relative abundance of individuals (N= 47) corroborated by the lowest Margalef index (d = 5.195) with a Shanon Weiner index (H’= 2.696) (Table 2). Family Pieridae and Nymphalidae had the highest relative abundance of individuals (34.0%) and (32.0%) respectfully for all the butterflies recorded in this zone.