Preliminary field survey of butterflies on Xishan Hill (Kunming, Yunnan Province, China)

Abstract

The survey recorded 80 butterfly species on Xishan Hill, including eight species listed on the China Species Red List (IUCN List). Of the species found, 51.3% are of Oriental origin, 40.0% are cosmopolitan, 6.3% are Palearctic and 2.5 % are endemic to Yunnan. Pieridae and Nymphalidae are the best represented families on the hill. Among nine surveyed habitat types, edges of the primary forest and open grassland shrubs are the two most favored areas. Amongst available nectar sources Asteraceae species were most visited. Information on active periods and non-floral food was recorded. Unlike with previous studies in this area, this survey provides information concerning ecological aspects besides a checklist.