Diversity in our midst: the butterfly nectar feeders of the Dividivi tree, Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq) Wild at UP Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna

Issue Date

7-2011

Abstract

The Dividivi, Caesalpinia coriaroia (Jacq) Wild is an exotic plant from south America. This leguminous medium sized tree is usually found in windswept seashores. At a glance it looks like a tamarind tree. It is noted for horticultural and medicinal value. The lone Dividivi tree between Biological Science and the New College of Arts and Sciences buildings at UP Los Baños exemplifies the diversity of life form in our midst through the nectaring buterflies on its flowers. We studied the butterfly nectar feeder of the Dividivi tree from August 2010 - December 2010 in order to contribute to the diversity inventory at Los Baños. Observations were done at 0800 hours - 0900 hours. Counts were accomplished at least once a month. We documented the species that visited the flowers based on their flight pattern and morphological appearance. We also use sweep net to examine closely the butterflies and release them later. A total of 36 species from 6 families were observed. The order of decreasing density of the families of butterflies was: Nymphalidae (10) > Papilionidae (9) > Pieridae (8) > Danaidae (5) > Hespiriidae (2) = Lycaenidae (2). We plan to continue observing the butterflies of Dividivi tree on a monthly basis to enable us to have a whole year perspective of the diversity of butterfly nectar feeders of this tree.

Source or Periodical Title

Transactions of the National Academy of Science and Technology

ISSN

0115-8848

Volume

33

Issue

1

Page

128

Document Type

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Language

English

Subject

Butterflies; Dividivi (Tree); University of the Philippines (Los Baños)

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