Butterfly Diversity at Ton Nga-Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand

Abstract

Butterfly diversity at Ton Nga-Chang Wildlife Sanctuary, Songkhla Province, was investigated by using baited-traps along transects in three types of habitats from June 1997 to May 1998. A total of 147 species involving 77 genera and 9 families (Papilionidae, Pieridae, Danaidae, Satyridae, Amathusiidae, Nymphalidae, Riodinidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae) were captured and identified. Of these, Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae were found to be the dominant families, in contrast to Ridionidae, Hesperiidae and Papilionidae, which were scarce. The largest number of individuals was collected in traps baited with fruit at a waterfall forest site. The monthly diversity was calculated by using the Shannon-Weiner diversity index and the highest diversity was found in February (H=3.20), and the lowest in September (H=1.72). The relationships between physical factors and individuals, total species and number of butterflies per family were determined. There were no significant correlations between humidity, rainfall and temperature, and the total number of individuals or species (P>0.05). The total abundance of Hesperiidae increased with humidity. Total numbers of Amathusiidae and Satyridae were inversely related to rainfall.