Category Archives: Bring Butterflies Back

Scientific value of butterflies

Butterflies and moths are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. They indicate a wide range of other invertebrates, which comprise over two-thirds of all species. Areas rich in butterflies and moths are rich in other invertebrates. These collectively provide a wide range of environmental benefits, including pollination and natural pest control. Butterflies are an important element of the food chain and are prey for birds, bats and other insectivorous animals. Butterflies and moths support a range of other predators and parasites, many of…

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Pollination and butterflies

Butterflies are pollinating insects and nectar is an important component of a butterfly’s diet. Like bees, pollen is collected on the butterfly’s body as it is feeding on a flower’s nectar. As the butterfly moves on to a new flower, it carries the pollen with it. Although they pollinate flowers, they are not as effective as some insects. Butterflies are less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants as butterflies have limited contact with pollen and therefore do not transfer large amounts of pollen…

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Why butterflies are important to us?

Butterflies Butterflies are a diverse group of insects containing at least 17,500 different species. Among them, 1300 species can be found in China and 235 species in Hong Kong. In urban parks of Hong Kong, a total of 48 species of butterflies can be found. They are Skippers, Swallowtails, Whites and Yellows, Blues, Nymphs and Browns. Butterflies are aesthetically pleasing and few species cause any damage to commercial plants. Butterflies contribute to thriving ecosystems and can indicate the state of an ecosystem’s health. Why butterflies…

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Butterflies in Hong Kong

Butterflies are insects from the order Lepidoptera which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous fluttering flight. The current butterfly checklist in Hong Kong contains 245 species in 5 families which are Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae, each different in shape, colour, flight pattern and other characteristics. The table below shows the features of 4 butterfly species commonly found in Hong Kong. SpeciesTroides aeacusPapilio protenorPieris canidiaDelias pasithoeFamilyPapilionidaePapilionidaePieridaePieridaeChinese name金裳鳳蝶黑鳳蝶緣點白粉蝶報喜斑粉蝶Common nameGolden BirdwingSpangleIndian Cabbage WhiteRed-base JezebelDescriptionBlack forewings with veins bordered by…

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蝴蝶蜜源植物 Nectar Plant for Butterflies

市區公園裏很多開花植物都為蝴蝶提供花蜜,但是原來約一半的香港蝴蝶(尤其是蛺蝶和眼蝶),甚少或從不訪花吸蜜。 Many flowering plants in urban parks provide nectars for butterflies. However, about half of Hong Kong’s butterfly species, especially Nymphs and Browns, seldom or never visit flowers for nectar. 吊燈花 Coral Hibiscus(Hibiscus schizopetalus)五至十月開花,吸引大型鳳蝶和粉蝶到訪 Flowering from May to October, attracts large Swallowtails, Whites and Yellows 龍船花 Chinese Ixora(Ixora chinensis)六至十月開花,吸引各種鳳蝶和粉蝶 Flowering from June to October, attracts Swallowtails, Whites and Yellows 五星花 Pentas(Pentas lanceolata)三至十一月開花,吸引各種鳳蝶和粉蝶 Flowering from March to November, attracts Swallowtails, Whites and Yellows 蟛蜞菊 Wedelia(Wedelia trilobata)幾乎全年開花,吸引弄蝶、灰蝶和小型粉蝶 Flowering almost throughout the year, attracts Skippers, Blues, small Whites…

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Bring Butterflies Back

With a rich flora and fauna, the current butterfly checklist in Hong Kong contains 245 species including one endemic subspecies, representing about 11% of species recorded throughout China. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, butterflies also play important roles in ecology, science and economy. However, butterfly populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, climate change and illegal collection. Through joining the ‘Ocean Park Conservation Chill Club’, the Green Guru Team of our school has set up a ‘Butterfly Friendly Garden” at the Environmental Trial, hope to…

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