Vertical stratification of fruit-feeding butterflies in Tasik Kenyir

Abstract

The diversity of fruit-feeding butterflies at different vertical stratification were studied in secondary forests in Tasik Kenyir areas using 20 baited traps at each site. This study aimed to determine the species diversity of fruit-feeding butterflies at different forest strata which included ground and canopy levels. A single rope technique was applied in 23-days sampling period and a slice of fermented pineapple was used as bait. A total of 307 individuals from 72 species and 8 subfamilies were documented. Species diversity was higher at ground level than canopy level with Shannon diversity index H' = 3.51 and H' = 3.03. Butterflies compositions at ground level have high diversity compared to canopy level. Besides that, the graph of rarefaction curve did not reach an asymptote at either level. The species richness might reach to equilibrium while the specimen of butterflies increases if the periods of sampling are extended.