Lumbini, Oct. 8 -- long national survey has recorded 173 butterfly species and more than 558 individual butterflies across Nepal's six provinces, including several rare, threatened and nationally significant species.

The fourth national big butterfly count was conducted throughout September at more than 25 sites in 15 districts. Karnali was the only province where counting could not be conducted because of unfavourable weather.

The latest count, coordinated by Greenalaya Nepal in association with Butterfly Watchers Nepal, Bhaktapur, and nine local organisations and clubs, recorded an increase from last year. The third national count, conducted in 2025, recorded 129 species and 335 butterflies.

"Besides understanding the status, distrib...