Philippine Journal of Science 150 (S1): 309-318, Special Issue on Biodiversity ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: 22 Sep 2020

Butterflies and of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park, Ligao City, Southern ,

Niño R. Mape1* and Steven R. Concepcion2

1Biology Department, College of Science Bicol University, Legazpi City 4500 Philippines 2Senior High School Department, Ligao National High School Ligao City 4504 Philippines

With the scarcity of published lepidopterological studies in the , especially focusing on urban biodiversity, this study aimed to determine the diversity of and moths in Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park, Ligao City, , Philippines. A survey using visual encounter and photo documentation was conducted for nine field days in June–August 2020 in the three established sampling sites identified based on vegetation types – secondary forest, grassland, and bamboo forest. A total of 63 species of comprising 50 species of butterflies and 13 species of moths were recorded. The family (30%) was the most speciose taxon, while the family Lasiocampidae and Sphingidae (2%) both ranked the least. The highest species richness and diversity were recorded in the grassland (S = 48; D = 0.95), followed by the bamboo forest (S = 37; D = 0.94) and then the secondary forest (S = 31; D = 0.93). Despite its exposure to anthropogenic disturbance, Kawa-Kawa Hill is still diverse (D = 0.94) in Lepidopteran species – which include seven Philippine endemics, one Southern Luzon endemic, and an endangered species ( rhadamantus rhadamantus). These findings suggest that habitat modification in Kawa-Kawa Hill promotes butterfly and moth diversity.

Keywords: diversity, habitat modification, Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park, Lepidoptera, urban biodiversity, urbanization

INTRODUCTION as flagship species that help in the identification and preservation of threatened critical habitats (Perveen and The Order Lepidoptera, comprising of butterflies and Khan 2017). moths, play pivotal roles in the ecosystem as pollinators and herbivores of various plants, food for insectivores, Studies on Philippine Lepidopterans in urban areas are and source of silk for textile industries (Goldstein 2017). still lacking (Ramirez-Restrepo and MacGregor-Fors Lepidoptera, particularly butterflies, are considered bio- 2017; Salaga et al. 2018), and such studies are important indicators due to their sensitivity to ecological stresses in determining the impact of urbanization on species influenced by climate, weather conditions, temperature diversity (McKinney 2002). According to Ramirez- (Goldstein 2017; Perveen and Khan 2017), and habitat Restrepo and MacGregor-Fors (2017), highly urbanized disturbance brought by urbanization (McKinney 2002). areas tend to have a fewer number of butterfly species, Because of these sensitivities, butterflies are also regarded and the number of specialist species decreases with *Corresponding Author: [email protected] increasing urbanization, eventually leading to extinction.

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The lepidopteran fauna of the Bicol Region also remain to RESULTS AND DISCUSSION be poorly studied and, in fact, there are only a few areas in the region that had been surveyed. For the results, a total of 63 species of Lepidoptera comprising 50 butterfly species and 13 moth species representing nine families and 51 genera were recorded during the survey (Table 1). Kawa-Kawa Hill was richer METHODOLOGY in butterfly species than the two protected areas of the Bicol Region – namely, Mt. Isarog Natural Park (41 The scarcity of published lepidopterological studies in the species) (PCARRD 2007) and Mt. Masaraga Watershed region focusing on urban biodiversity led the researchers Forest Reserve (17 species) (Galicia et al. 2011). Kawa- to document the butterfly and moth fauna present in Kawa Hill's species composition was similar to the Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park (236 masl) (Figure 1), a urban areas of (Salaga et al. 2018), in which 21.3-ha eco-tourism spot located at California Village, most of the documented species were common. At the Tuburan, Ligao City. With its huge-size statues depicting community level, the grassland ranked highest in species the Passion of Christ and its famous Bamboo Christmas richness and diversity (S = 48; D = 0.95), followed by the Village, the area is frequently visited by tourists. bamboo forest (S = 37; D = 0.94), and then the secondary forest (S = 31; D = 0.93) as the least species-rich and least In this study, three different sampling sites – identified diverse site. Overall, Kawa-Kawa Hill had a diversity based on vegetation types – were established. Site A is a value of 0.94, indicating high diversity. secondary forest situated at the slope of the hill (115–132 masl) (Figures 2A–C) and has a closed canopy cover The high species richness and diversity of Lepidoptera in composed primarily of Acacia, Gmelina, Swietenia, the grassland was probably due to its type of vegetation, Ficus, and Shorea. Site B is grassland located at the with more varied host plants and nectarine plants in 6-ha crater (147 masl) (Figure 2D) and is characterized an open area. Butterfly diversity is highly correlated as an open field vegetated with grasses (e.g. Brachiaria with the availability of food plants and various floral mutica, Digitaria radicosa, and Paspalum conjugatum) assemblages (Kunte 2000; Nacua et al. 2014). Therefore, and few trees (e.g. Annona squamosa, Casuarina the abundance of Ypthima stellera stellera and otis equisetifolia, and Premna odorata). Various nectarine oriens in the grassland could be attributed to the presence plants (e.g. Hibiscus, Ixora, Jasminum sambac, of their host plants – the Digitaria radicosa (Gramineae) Portulaca, and pudica) are also present in and Mimosa pudica (), respectively (Robinson the area, together with Ananas comosus, Citrus, and et al. 2010). Several studies also showed higher species Ipomoea batatas. Site C is a bamboo forest found at the richness in open areas than in closed canopy (Vu and 2.5-ha Bambusetum (95–106 masl) (Figure 2E), and it Vu 2011; Nacua et al. 2015). Open areas like grasslands has a slightly dense canopy cover composed mostly of allow the direct penetration of sunlight and butterflies, and . Near the site is a flower being an ectotherm, search for warm areas where garden planted with Zinnia, Portulaca, and Helianthus they can bask and thermoregulate to optimize their annuus (Figure 2F). physiological processes (Kunte 2000). The sampling was conducted for nine field days (three Vu and Vu (2011) concluded that the low species richness days per site) from 07:00–11:00 AM from June– of the bamboo forests of southern was attributed August 2020, employing visual encounters and photo to its simple vegetation. In contrast, the bamboo forest of documentation. No voucher specimens were collected Kawa-Kawa Hill did not rank lowest in species richness but live specimens encountered were photographed despite its simple vegetation, probably because of the using Canon EOS 700D camera and were identified by garden nearby that attracted more species. Helianthus referencing the Philippine Lepidoptera Inc. website. annuus and Zinnia, which were abundant in the site, Initial identification was verified by Leana L. Cristobal belong to the family Asteraceae, and nectarine plants and Agnes A. Talavera, founders of PhiLep Inc. Species belonging to families Rubiaceae and Asteraceae were that were seen but not photographed were disregarded the most preferred source of nectar for butterflies (Nacua to avoid misidentification. To assess the diversity of et al. 2014). Lepidopterans in the area and to determine the similarity between sites, Simpson’s diversity index and Bray-Curtis The secondary forest ranked lowest both in richness and cluster analysis were determined, respectively, using diversity. It was observed that most of the Lepidopterans BioDiversity Pro software. in this area were found at the foot or near the peak of the hill where the canopy cover is slightly dense. In fact, the butterflies Cyrestis maenalis, lilaea, and Mydosama ita were found basking under the small open

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Figure 1. Location of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park, Ligao City, Albay, Southern Luzon, Philippines.

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Figure 2. Vegetation types in Kawa-Kawa Hil Natural Park. A) The slope of Kawa-Kawa Hill is a secondary forest with closed canopy cover and has B) a concrete and C) forested pathway that leads to the summit. D) Its crater is vegetated with grasses and is surrounded by few trees. On its west is E) a patch of bamboo forest with F) flower garden nearby.

Table 1. Species list and abundance of the Lepidoptera recorded in the three sampling sites of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park.

Sampling sites Taxon Total Secondary forest Grassland Bamboo forest Hesperiidae Hasora mixta mixta (Mabille, 1876) – 2 (0.32) – 2 (0.32) Prusiana prusias matinus (Fruhstorfer, 1911) 3 (0.49) 2 (0.32) – 5 (0.81) Baoris oceia (Hewitson, 1868) – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Borbo cinnara (Wallace, 1866) – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Taractrocera luzonensis luzonensis (Staudinger, 4 (0.65) 18 (2.92) 3 (0.49) 25( 4.06) 1889) Suastus migreus Semper, 1892* – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) paralysos volux (Mabille, 1883) – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) sp. 1 (0.16) 5 (0.81) 11 (1.79) 17 (2.76) Pelopidas agna agna (Moore, 1866) 1 (0.16) 3 (0.49) 2 (0.32) 6 (0.97) Parnara kawazoei Chiba & Eliot, 1991 1 (0.16) 7 (1.14) 1 (0.16) 9 (1.46) Halpe luteisquama (Mabille, 1877)* 2 (0.32) 3 (0.49) 4 (0.65) 9 (1.46) aria (Moore, 1866) – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) acalle chrysozona (Plotz, 1883) – 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32) 3 (0.49) Nymphalidae Ideopsis juventa manillana Moore, 1883 5 (0.81) 4 (0.65) 2 (0.32) 11 (1.79) Danaus melanippus edmondi Lesson, 1837 – – 5 (0.81) 5 (0.81) Danaus chrysippus chrysippus Linnaeus, 1758 – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) Symbrenthia lilaea thimo Fruhstorfer, 1907 2 (0.32) 10 (1.62) 2 (0.32) 14 (2.27) bisaltide philippensis Fruhstorfer, 1899 – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32) Ypthima sempera sempera Felder & Felder, 1863* 1 (0.16) – – 1 (0.16) Ypthima stellera stellera (Eschscholtz, 1821)* 20 (3.25) 33 (5.36) 2 (0.32) 55 (8.93) almana almana (Linnaeus, 1758) – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32)

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Sampling sites Taxon Total Secondary forest Grassland Bamboo forest Junonia atlites atlites (Linnaeus, 1763) – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) Junonia orithya leucasia (Fruhstorfer, 1912) – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Hypolimnas anomala anomala (Wallace, 1869) – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) Hypolimnas bolina philippensis (Butler, 1874) – 20 (3.25) 8 (1.30) 28 (4.55) Junonia hedonia ida (Linnaeus, 1764) – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32) Melanitis leda leda (Linnaeus, 1758) 2 (0.32) 1 (0.16) – 3 (0.49) Mycalesis igoleta igoleta Felder & Felder, 1863* 11 (1.79) 4 (0.65) – 15 (2.44) Mydosama ita ita C.& R. Felder, 1863* 2 (0.32) – – 2 (0.32) chandica negrito (C. & R. Felder, 1863) 4 (0.65) 1 (0.16) – 5 (0.81) Neptis mindorana ilocana Felder & Felder, 1863* 6 (0.97) 7 (1.14) 5 (0.81) 18 (2.92) Cyrestis maenalis maenalis Erichson, 1834 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) – 2 (0.32) Acytolepis puspa cagaya C.& R. Felder, 1865 6 (0.97) – 14 (2.27) 20 (3.25) malaya sikkima Moore, 1884 1 (0.16) – – 1 (0.16) Euchrysops cnejus cnejus (Fabricius, 1798) 4 (0.65) 4 (0.65) – 8 (1.30) Catopyrops ancyra almora H.Druce, 1873 – 9 (1.46) – 9 (1.46) Zizina otis oriens (Butler, 1883) – 34 (5.52) 16 (2.60) 50 (8.12) Rapala sp. – – 2 (0.32) 2 (0.32) scylla cornelia Fabricius, 1787 – 1 (0.16) 9 (1.46) 10 (1.62) Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe Linnaeus, 1758 – – 28 (4.55) 28 (4.55) Catopsilia pomona pomona Fabricius, 1775 23 (3.73) 3 (0.49) 11 (1.79) 47 (6.01) Eurema hecabe hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) 19 (3.08) 22 (3.57) 4 (0.65) 45 (7.31) Leptosia nina georgi Fruhstorfer, 1910 8 (1.30) 15 (2.44) 7 (1.14) 30 (4.87) hyparete luzonensis (C. & R. Felder, 1862) 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32) 1 (0.16) 4 (0.65) olferna peducaea (Fruhstorfer, 1910) – 1 (0.16) 2 (0.32) 3 (0.49) Papilionidae Menelaides polytes ledebouria Eschscholtz, 1821 6 (0.97) 13 (2.11) 4 (0.65) 23 (3.73) Papilio demoleus demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 – 3 (0.49) 4 (0.65) 7 (1.14) Graphium agamemnon agamemnon (Linnaeus, 2 (0.32) 2 (0.32) 7 (1.14) 11 (1.79) 1758) Troides rhadamantus rhadamantus Lucas, 1835 – 2 (0.32) – 2 (0.32) Pachliopta kotzebuea mataconga Page & – 2 (0.32) 1 (0.16) 3 (0.49) Treadaway, 1995** Nyctemera sonticum Swinhoe, 1892 – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Xanthetis luzonica (Felder, 1875) 1 (0.16) 4 (0.65) – 5 (0.81) heliconia philippina Rothschild, 1897 1 (0.16) 5 (0.81) 1 (0.16) 7 (1.14) Asota plana Walker, 1854 13 (2.11) 15 (2.44) – 27 (4.55) Asota caricae Fabricius, 1775 7 (1.14) 13 (2.11) 2 (0.32) 22 (3.57) Asota egens confinis Rothschild, 1897 – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Lymantria sp. 1 (0.16) – – 1 (0.16) Amata sp. – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16)

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Sampling sites Taxon Total Secondary forest Grassland Bamboo forest Gesonia sp. – 2 (0.32) – 2 (0.32) Noctuidae Opthalmis lincea (Cramer, 1779) 2 (0.32) – – 2 (0.32) Xanthodes transversa Guenée, 1852 – 1 (0.16) – 1 (0.16) Sphingidae Macroglossum sp. – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) Lasiocampidae Streblote castanea Swinhoe, 1892 – – 1 (0.16) 1 (0.16) Total number of individuals 161 (26.14) 286 (46.43) 169 (27.44) 616 Total number of species (S) 31 48 37 63 *Philippine endemic (based on Treadaway and Schroeder 2012) **Southern Luzon endemic (based on Treadaway and Schroeder 2012) patches of the canopy. Nevertheless, the cluster analysis showed that the grassland and the secondary forest are related habitats with a similarity index of 51.44%. This similarity was probably due to their close proximity (about 170 m). Meanwhile, the bamboo forest is a unique habitat having an index of 36.43%. Among the families, the butterfly family Nymphalidae (30%) was the most speciose (Figure 3), and this could be due to its high diversity with almost 6,000 described species and to its polyphagous habit (Kunte 2000). The moth family Lasiocampidae and Sphingidae (2%), which species are mostly nocturnal, ranked the least. Furthermore, eight or 13.11% of the Lepidopterans were endemic: Suastus migreus, Halpe luteisquama, Ypthima sempera sempera, Ypthima stellera stellera, Mycalesis igoleta igoleta, Mydosama ita ita, Neptis mindorana ilocana, and the southern Luzon endemic Pachliopta kotzebuea mataconga. Kawa-Kawa Hill contributes almost 2% of the overall butterfly endemism of the country and 4.68% of Luzon Island. Troides rhadamantus Figure 3. Breakdown (in percentage) of Lepidopteran species in rhadamantus, an endangered butterfly listed in Appendix Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park according to family. II of CITES, was also recorded in the area. With these findings, this study suggests that anthropogenic activities in Kawa-Kawa Hill, such as landscape and habitat modification, appeared to promote species diversity of Lepidopterans. The high Lepidopteran diversity in the area could be attributed to the different existing habitats with varied vegetation and thickness of canopy cover and the abundance of host plants and nectarine plants. Situated in an urban setting and exposed to anthropogenic activities, Kawa-Kawa Hill is indeed an urban biodiversity hotspot as it hosts a diverse Lepidopteran fauna. Thus, the site should be transformed into a conservation area for at least the endemic and threatened species.

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Figure 4. Lepidopterans of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park: A) Baoris oceia, B) Cephrenes acalle chrysozona, C) Halpe luteisquama, D) Hasora mixta mixta, E) , F) Notocrypta paralysos volux, G) Parnara kawazoei, H) Borbo cinnara, I) Prusiana prusias matinus, J) Suastus migreus, K) Pelopidas agna agna, L) Pelopidas sp., M) Taractrocera luzonensis luzonensis, N) Lethe chandica negrito, O) Danaus melanippus edmondii, P) Danaus chrysippus chrysippus, Q) Doleschallia bisaltide, R) Symbrenthia lilaea thimo, S) Cyrestis maenalis maenalis, and T) Mydosama ita ita. Photographed by Niño R. Mape (A–D and F–T) and Steven R. Concepcion (E).

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Figure 5. Lepidopterans of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park: A) Ypthima sempera sempera, B) Ypthima stellera stellera, C) Mycalesis igoleta igoleta, D) Neptis mindorana ilocana, E) Junonia atlites atlites, F) Junonia almana almana, G) Junonia orithya leucasia, H) Junonia hedonia ida, I) Hypolimnas bolina philippensis, J) Hypolimnas anomala anomala, K) Melanitis leda leda, L) Ideopsis juventa manillana, M) Acytolepis puspa cagaya, N) Catopyrops ancyra almora, O) Euchrysops cnejus cnejus, P) sikkima, Q) Zizina otis oriens, R) Rapala sp., S) Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe, and T) Catopsilia scylla cornelia. Photographed by Niño R. Mape (A–F and I–T) and Steven R. Concepcion (G–H).

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Figure 6. Lepidopterans of Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park: A) Catopsilia pomona pomona, B) Eurema hecabe hecabe, C) Leptosia nina georgi, D) Delias hyparete luzonensis, E) Appias olferna peducaea, F) Menelaides polytes ledebouria, G) Troides rhadamantus rhadamantus, H) Papilio demoleus demoleus, I) Graphium agamemnon agamemnon, J) Pachliopta kotzebuea mataconga, K) Asota caricae, L) Asota egens confinis, M) Asota plana, N) Asota heliconia philippina, O) Opthalmis lincea, P) Nyctemera sonticum, Q) Amata sp., R) Streblote castanea, S) Xanthetis luzonica, T) Xanthodes transversa, U) Lymantria sp., V) Macroglossum sp., and W) Gesonia sp. Photographed by Niño R. Mape (A–F, H–M, and P–T) and Steven R. Concepcion (G, N, and O).

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PERVEEN FK, KHAN A. 2017. Introductory Chapter: Lepidoptera. In: Lepidoptera. Perveen PK ed. London: The researchers would like to thank Hon. Fernando IntechOpen. p. 3–17. V. Gonzales for allowing us to conduct the study in Kawa-Kawa Hill Natural Park. To Mr. Don R. Mape for RAMIREZ-RESTREPO L, MACGREGOR-FORS I. helping us in seeking permission. To Mrs. Leana Lahom- 2017. Butterflies in the city: a review of urban diurnal Cristobal and Mrs. Agnes Adique-Talavera of Philippine Lepidoptera. Urban Ecosyst 20: 171–182. Lepidoptera Inc. for verifying the ID of the butterfly and ROBINSON GS, ACKERY PR, KITCHING IJ, BEC- moth species. To Rhenniel D. Cardano for identifying CALONI GW, HERNÁNDEZ LM. 2010. HOSTS – a some plant species in the area. To Sir Cristian C. Lucañas database of the world's lepidopteran hostplants. Natural of the University of the Philippines Los Baños – Museum History Museum, London. Retrieved from http://www. of Natural History for giving us information regarding nhm.ac.uk/hosts diversity indices and for generating the map used in this study. To Juan Salvador Manlangit for allowing us SALAGA H, SENARILLOS TLP, BADON JAT, CRIS- to borrow his camera. To Cyrus Job dela Cruz of the TOBAL LL. 2018. Inventory of butterflies in Davao Department of Environment and Natural Resources City, Philippines with a new locality record: an urban Region V. Finally, to the reviewers for their comments biodiversity. Bioscience Discovery 9(3): 319–327. and suggestions in improving the manuscript. TREADAWAY CG, SCHROEDER HG. 2012. Revised checklist of the butterflies of the Philippine Islands (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Nachrichten des Ento- mologischen Vereins Apollo Supplementum 20: 1–64. REFERENCES VU LV, VU CQ. 2011. Diversity pattern of butterfly BADON JAT, LAHOM-CRISTOBAL L, TALAVERA communities (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidae) in differ- AA. 2013. Philippine Lepidoptera. Retrieved from ent habitat types in a tropical rain forest of Southern https://philepidoptera.wixsite.com/philep Vietnam. ISRN Zoology. p. 1–8. GALICIA GL, ESTRELLA MN, ZIPAGAN MB, BER- GANCIA ZC. 2011. Butterfly diversity in Mount Masaraga, Albay, Philippines. Journal of International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences 17(1): 285. GOLDSTEIN PZ. 2017. Diversity and significance of Lepidoptera: A phylogenetic perspective. In: Biodiversity: Science and Society, Vol 1. Footit RG, Adler PH eds. Willey-Blackwell. p. 463–495. KUNTE K. 2000. Butterflies of Peninsular . Hyder- abad: Universities Press (India) Private Limited. 254p. MCKINNEY ML. 2002. Urbanization, biodiversity, and conservation. BioScience 52(10): 883–890. NACUA AE, GUZMAN GQ, ALEJANDRO GJ. 2014. The preference of butterflies for nectarine food plants. Int J Pure App Biosci 2(5): 246–250. NACUA AE, MOHAGAN AB, ALEJANDRO GJ. 2015. Diversity and distribution of butterflies in the open and close canopy forests of Cadaclan, San Fernando La union botanical garden of North Luzon, the Philippines. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 6(1): 169–177. [PCARRD] Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. 2007. Butterfly conservation status in Mt. Isarog Natu- ral Park assessed. Highlights 2006. 204p.

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