Lepidoptera, consisting of butterflies and moths, represent a special group that adds beauty and evolutionary complexity to the world. They are not only associated with aesthetics and folklore of different cultures but also integrate into various aspects of education, beauty, and biodiversity research (Pyle et al., 1981). The etymology of the name "butterfly" is not clear, but it suggests the yellow colour of the male brimstone butterfly's wings, found across Europe and the Himalayas, or a folk etymology of "flutter-by" due to their flight patterns (Smetacek, 2000). It captures the beauty of these creatures. The biodiversity crisis currently plaguing our planet has led to the decline of species once common, with some even facing extinction. Among them, moths have been identified as key players in the functioning of ecosystems, serving roles as pollinators, herbivores, and prey for numerous species, though human activities may pose a problem and they are seen as agricultural pests (Phadtare & Deshpande, 2019).
A study of Lepidoptera becomes a fine example of raising awareness of environmental matters and educational work as a flagship activity for the conservation of invertebrates (Perveen and Khan, 2017). Despite the substantial interest in butterflies from a research angle, giving insights into population and community ecology, there remains a paucity of ecological data that points to faunistic surveys or taxonomic studies within the realm of butterfly research. Recent shifts towards biodiversity conservation have attributed the importance of recording insect species and appreciating their ecological relationships as integral for their protection (Pollard, 1991; Daily & Ehrlich, 1995; Beccaloni & Gatson, 1995; Gadgil, 1996).
Butterflies are indicators of habitat quality and sensitive to environmental changes, thus representing important indicators for habitats being altered or degraded (Sharma and Sharma, 2017; Shahabuddin, 1993; HiII et al., 1995; Holloway and Bradley, 1985). The role of butterflies in pollination and the position that they hold within food chains underline their ecological value (Gunathilagaraj et al., 1998). The complexity of the life cycle of butterflies, ranging over from larval to the adult stage, with different needs, makes the diversity of habitats required to support their living essential (Sharma and Sharma, 2017). Inhabiting most of India, the grasslands, herbs, shrubs, and flowering trees of varying community composition are most suitable for the biodiversity of butterflies, which is a necessity for their survival. Diverse habitats required for the habituation of species include these four ecosystems, as highlighted by Sharma and Sharma (2017). The migratory behaviour exhibited by certain species of butterflies also emphasizes their ecological significance as well as their adaptability (Evans, 1932).
In North-East India, a globally rich butterfly fauna, yet poorly studied, serves as a hotspot for global biodiversity (Evans, 1932; Pandeya, 1977). Including India, it can be observed that mega-diverse countries, such as India, have a rich butterfly heritage, but most of the research in historical times has been on taxonomy, while issues such as deforestation, industrialization, and agrochemical usage pose a threat to butterfly populations and, therefore, point toward the need for conservation efforts (Gay et al., 1992). What is pertinent to mention here is that the state of Nagaland, a state with 212 recorded species, calls for conservation efforts that protect 34 species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The dominant family, Nymphalidae, makes up almost half of the documented species, followed by Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae, thus revealing a considerable diversity of ecological relevance for this region's Lepidoptera (Tshetsholo Naro and Sanjay Sondhi, 2014).