The abundance and diversity of butterfly communities (insecta:lepidoptera) in Sungai Tersat, Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu

Abstract

utterfly has been identified as important ecological indicator organisms for assessing biodiversity and for monitoring ecosystem responses to environment. This study was conducted to determine the abundance and diversity of butterfly communities and to investigate the interaction between the butterfly species with microhabitats preference in Sungai Tersat, Hulu Terengganu. It was carried out within four months, from August until November 2006. Three stations were selected and butterflies were captured randomly by using insect net. A total of 110 butterflies comprising of 40 species from five families were recorded. The most dominant family with the highest number of individuals was Pieridae (53 individuals). However, Nymphalidae contributed the highest number of species (20 species) at all stations. Leptosia nina was the most dominant species collected (25.45%), followed by Eurema lacteola (10.91%) and Ypthima baldus (8.18%). Leptosia nina was mostly occurred in riparian area and they were feeble in flight. Riparian area was microhabitat preferred by most of the butterflies. There was strongly significant correlation between relative humidity to the assemblage of this community. The capture rate varied within sampling months due to climate and seasonal changes.