Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) Preference Host Plant and Food Plant in North Borneo

Abstract

The presence of butterflies in an area has a carrying capacity of habitat, a component of host plants and food crops. This study aims to identify the types of host and food plants in the Research Forest area of the University of Borneo Tarakan and Orchid Gardens. The research was conducted using an exploratory with the descriptive method, which systematically describes the facts that exist through direct observation in the field. Sampling of host plants and food plants was conducted from July to September 2019. The results found five species of plants from 4 families as host plants for butterflies. The family of host consist of Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Olacaceae, and Dipterocarpaceae. Meanwhile, there are six families of food plants, namely Rubiaceae, Malvaceae, Apocynaceae, Melastomataceae, Cyperaceae, and Asteraceae, which consist of 6 different species including Ixora sp, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Allamanda cathartica, Melastoma sp, Cyperus rotundus, and Ageratum conyzoides.