Biodiversity of butterfly in the waxy corn flowers

Abstract

A study about the biodiversity of butterfly in the waxy cornflowers very important to know more about their role and behavior in nature. The purpose of the research is to identify the butterfly family and their visiting frequency to waxy cornflowers as alternative food. The research was conducted at Samangki village, Maros District, South Sulawesi from April to July 2018. Among the Pulut or waxy corn (Zea ceritina Kulesh) family Graminae that growth in farmers field, the butterfly family and their visiting frequency were recorded. The results were showed the butterfly family visited the waxy cornfield from Nymphalidae (Danaus chrysippus L. and Melanitis sp.), Papilionidae (Papilio demolition L. and Graphium agamemnon L.) and Pieridae (Delias hyparete But. and Catopsylla pomona Fab.). Catopsylla pomona (Pieridae) was a higher frequency (5.6 times) visited waxy cornflowers than another species during observation. The result of the study recommended waxy cornflowers can use as one of the alternative management tools for maintaining the butterflies population. Need more effort increasing the role of stakeholder/local government to manage and educate local people in butterfly conservation. Supporting this activity, it need to apply depth ecological knowledge such as high-resolution distributional data and annual censusing.