KERISBIOKON conducted a study on the diversity of Lepidoptera (butterflies) in the Rowobendo Resort, Alas Purwo National Park, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, in March 2022. This research focused on species inventory and the assessment of butterfly diversity as an initial effort to describe the structure of Lepidoptera communities in the area, considering the limited scientific data available for this region.
The study was carried out using the road sampling method, with specimens collected using insect nets. Each individual encountered along the transect was captured and identified based on morphological characteristics up to the species level, using standard entomological identification keys.
The results revealed that butterfly diversity in Rowobendo Resort falls into the moderate category, with a Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’) of 1.924. A total of 56 individuals were recorded, representing two families, namely Nymphalidae and Pieridae. These families comprised eight species: Appias olferna, Catopsilia pyranthe, Euploea tulliolus, Eurema hecabe, Ideopsis juventa, Junonia almana, Junonia atlites, and Leptosia nina.
Junonia almana
💡 Did You Know?
Junonia almana, commonly known as the Peacock Pansy, has large eye-like patterns on its wings that function as a defense mechanism. When threatened, the butterfly suddenly opens its wings to startle predators and reduce the chance of attack.
The species composition indicates that the Lepidoptera community in Rowobendo is dominated by generalist species commonly found across various habitat types, while still including species that are sensitive to environmental changes. This suggests that the Rowobendo Resort maintains relatively stable habitat conditions that support butterfly communities, highlighting their role as important bioindicators of ecosystem health in the Alas Purwo tropical forest.