Faunistic study of butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of Sulaymaniyah Province, Kurdistan-Iraq

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of Sulaymaniyah Province, in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Investigations were carried out between April 2016 and April 2021, during which butterfly specimens were collected from 34 different localities throughout Sulaymaniyah Province. The collected butterflies belonged to 103 species within five families: five species of Papilionidae, 19 species of Hesperiidae, 18 species of Pieridae, 25 species of Lycaenidae and 36 species of Nymphalidae. NEW INFORMATION: Eight species, Carcharodusstauderi Reverdin, 1913, Thymelicushyrax Lederer, 1861, Gonepteryxrhamni (Linnaeus, 1758) Pieriskrueperi Staudinger, 1860, Coliaserate Esper, 1803, Polyommatusthersites (Cantener, 1835), Brenthismofidii Wyatt, 1968 and Pseudochazaramamurra Herrich-Schäffer, 1852 have been added as new records to the fauna of Iraqi butterflies.