Butterflies (Rhopalocera) of Palillo Island, Quezon Province, Philippines

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

The diversity of arthropods of Polillo Island is currently being studied as a contribution to the documentation of the overall biological diversity of the Polillo group of islands as well as the first of projected series of studies on terrestrial arthropod biodiversity in conservation priority areas in the Philippines. This particular portion of the research project focuses on the diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea). A total of 117 individuals were observed and/or collected. These belong to 42 species, distributed in seven families, with the family Nymphalidae as the best represented group in terms of number of species and individuals. Papilionidae or the swallowtails, which included three that belong to the birdwing tribe, came next with seven species, followed by the Pieridae with six species. In terms of number of individuals, however, pierids were superior to the papilionids. Preliminary analysis indicated a diversity value of (Shannon Index) H = 1.480 and e= 0.912. For a relatively small area, and width the limited time to observe, such number of species and diversity index are remarkably high. The most common was the yellow pierid Eurema hecabe followed by an undetermined species of lycaenid belonging to Jamides. The common birdwing, Troides rhadamantus, listed together with the other Troides and Trogonoptera in CITES Appendix II, can still be found around the edges of the Sibulan watershed and the surrounding thickets of the agricultural areas of Pinaglubayan. The same is true for another endemic butterfly, Pachiliopta mariae almae. The host plants of these butterflies in the surrounding areas still need to be investigated.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

219

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

LEPIDOPTERA; ARTHROPODA; INSECTA; PEST INSECTS; TAXONOMY; PHILIPPINES

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