Butterflies select microhabitats on building walls

Abstract

We recorded the frequency of adult butterflies and pupae in 25 microhabitats (architectural features) on the external walls of the Federal University of Uberlândia, southeast Brazil. The percentage of the total wall area occupied by each type of microhabitat was used to calculate expected frequencies of adults and pupae. The frequency of use of the different microhabitats was not related to the percentage of the wall area occupied; adult butterflies and pupating larvae appeared to be actively selecting certain microhabitats. Thirty-three species of adult butterflies were found using the walls as sites for perching. Hesperiidae were dominant on the walls; long-tailed skippers ( Urbanus spp.) accounted for half the adults sampled. The means of body mass, body length, wing area, and body mass/wing area of net-captured male adults recorded on walls were statistically similar to the means for species present in the area, but not observed on walls. The selection of specific microhabitats on building walls by adult butterflies and pupating larvae enhances the possibilities of insect management and conservation in urban areas through planning and designing new architectural features on buildings.