Population aspects and movement of thunderring butterflies Hamadryas (Nymphalidae) in different land uses in Montes de María, Colombia

Abstract

Population studies about butterflies in the Colombian Caribbean are scarce, which is why we analyzed the variation in the population structure and displacement of Hamadryas in different land uses in a fragmented landscape in Montes de María, San Jacinto, Bolívar. Six samplings were conducted between March and June, 2018. Seven sampling stations were located in the study area where 5 Van Someren-Rydon traps baited with fermented fruit mix were placed in each station. Using the capture-mark-recapture method, 541 individuals of the genus Hamadryas were recorded (including 312 males and 229 females). The most abundant species was H. feronia with 291 individuals recorded and the least frequent was H. amphinome with 33 individuals records. Sex ratios varied, although the number of males was always greater and the females experienced greater travel distance. The age structure and recapture showed a peak of imagos emergence for these butterflies between April-June. Finally, the variation in the abundance of Hamadryas is mainly associated with variables such as canopy cover, indicating that this factor plays a determining role in the population dynamics of this group of butterflies.