Floral traits can influence the foraging choices of nectar-feeding butterflies, but little is known about the feeding habits of butterflies in Nepal. This study was conducted along the periphery of Rupa Wetland from January to December 2019 to assess butterfly species diversity and to identify the factors influencing their foraging choices. Overall, butterfly visitation was found to be significantly influenced by plant category (herbaceous preferred over woody), floral color (yellow white and purple preferred over pink), and corolla type (tubular preferred over nontubular). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the proboscis length of butterflies and the corolla tube length of flowers. Our results reveal that Rupa Lake is a suitable habitat for butterflies, providing valuable floral resources. Hence, further detailed studies encompassing all seasons and a greater variety of plants are fundamental for creating favorable environments to sustain important butterfly pollinators, and to help create balanced wetland ecosystems. This research addresses SDG 15 to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems… and halt biodiversity loss.”
