A Field Survey on Butterfly of Wangchuck Centennial National Park Wangchuck Centennial National Park Department of Forest and Park Services Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Bhutan i i This publication was made possible with the financial support from Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation First Illustration Guide to Identification and Practical Use Published by: Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Department of Forest and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan Copyright: ©2016 Wangchuck Centennial National Park Layout & design: Thinley Zangmo KUENSEL Corporation Limited Printed @ KUENSEL Corporation Limited, 2017 iiiii iiiii Contributors 1. Mr. Tshering Dhendup, Chief Forestry Officer, Wangchuck Centennial National Park. 2. Tashi Dorji, Deputy Chief Forestry Officer, WCNP 3. Mr. Tenzin (Sr. Ranger II), Head Species Management and Research Section 4. Mr. Karma Wangdi (Sr. Forester) UWICER, 5. Mr. Sonam Wangmo (Forester) Head, Information and Data Management Section, 6. Mr. Ngada Lham (Forester) Central Park Range, Thangbee 7. Mr. Rinzin (Forester) Western Park Range 8. Mr. Tilak Bdr. Ghalley, Eastern Park Range 9. Mr. Kabita Tamang, Eastern Park Range iiiii iiiii ivv ivv FOREWORD Wangchuck Centennial Park, the biggest Park in the country is bestowed with wide arrays of butterly species. The necessity was therefore felt profoundly for the timely documentation of the butterfly of Wangchuck Centennial National Park. Over the last few years, documentation and discoveries of butterfly species has been made better progress given their roles in ecosystem maintenance and also as an attraction for the general public and tourists. Till now, Bhutan has recorded 728 species of butterfly and yet to discover more in future. During the Biodviersity of WCNP has recorded 48 species of butterfly but recent surey the park had recored 256 species of butterfly and yet to record more hereafter. Since this is the first field guide on butterfly, I hope it will serves as useful guide for tourists, butterfly lovers, general public, Scientists and educationists. Conservation of environment is one of the 4th pillars of Gross National Happiness and also strong commitiments from the beloved monarch, Bhutan will preserve it rich flora and fauna all times to come. I appreciate and commend the efforts put in by the Wangchuck Centennial National Park management in coming up with this informative publication on field guide on Butterfly of Wangchuck Centennial National Park. It is in this spirit that I on behalf of management humbly dedicate this publication to as part of our efforts to commenmorate the Gyaltshen the first Birthday Celebration, th5 February, (Phento Tshering) DIRECTOR Department of Forests and Park Services ivv ivv viivi viivi Acknowledgement The management of Wangchuck Centennial National Park would like to thank Mr. Karma Wangdi,UWICER for his contribution as resource person for the entire field. Nevertheless management would like also to thank all the field staffs who have made their contributions to complete the entire field survey on preliminary Butterfly study. We also would like to thank the park residences WCNP for participating in the survey and providing valuable information during the field survey and for the oral interview. Mr. Tenzin (Sr. Forest Ranger II) of Species Management and Research Section Head deserved our special appreciation in taking initiative and completing the report on time. We also would like to thank the Donor, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC) for their financial support in carrying out this field study. viivi viivi viiiix viiiix CONTENTS 01 09 Introduction Checklist 02 10 Study Area Recommendations 03 11 Biology Reference made 04 12 Methodology Glossary 07 The status of the species as per the family 08 Description of butterfly family wise Hesperiidae Lycaenidae Nymphalidae Papilionidae Pieridae Riodinidae viiiix viiiix 1x 1x Introduction1 angchuck Centennial the ecosystem such as pollination, National Park (WCP) indicator of climate change and was declared in 2008 serves as prey for the predators. Was tribute to the visionary, selfless They are also the indicators of a leadership of the Wangchuck healthy environment and healthy dynasty. Located in north- central ecosystems. They indicate a wide Bhutan, it is also the country’s range of other invertebrates, largest park, covering 4,914 square which comprise over two-thirds kilometers. The vegetation ranges of all species. The ecologist used from warm broadleaf forest to butterfly as model organisms to alpine meadows, spanning an study the impact of habitat loss altitudinal range from 2500 to and fragmentation, and climate 5100m. Over 693 species of change. vascular plants, 41 mammal species, and 250 bird species, 46 Even though, the Butterfly is being species of butterfly and have been spotted in the WCNP, the detail recorded from the park and its information on various aspects buffer zone. of biology, ecology, status and distribution of butterfly species With the recent butterfly survey are yet not known and need to do in WCNP from 1st May to 23rdJune more study in future. 2015-2016, WCNP management recorded 150 species of butterfly The management had conducted within three ranges. The survey butterfly survey in 2009 t0 2010 was conducted from 1st May till during the biodiversity survey but 23rd June 2016, under the support very little is known its existence of High Altitude and Northern and distributions, with the recent Areas (HANAS).The butterfly has survey management hope that this got its roles and responsibilities in report will serves as base line data 1x 1x for field staff and will useful as habitat conserved. During the guide book during the day to day survey the team observed that it field visits. feeds on dead animal’s remains, fecal, flowering plants, herbs, In WCNP, it inhabits temperate grasses, shrubs, vines and trees. and tropical broad-leaved forests, with vegetation ranging from The main objective of publishing deciduous woodlands to alpine this hand book is not only to share meadows. It was observed that scientific information with the less species of butterfly is recorded conservationists, but also want to in alpine, coniferous forests share it with the general public comparing to temperate forests. to understand the status of the The area extends from Kazhi, butterfly and possible protection Dangchu and Sephu in the west schemes for the future. The park to Kurtoe and Gangzur in the east authorities strongly believe that and as far as Gomthang, Tsampa in since this is the first hand book the north and Tang and Choekhor on butterfly in WCNP,follow-up in the south of the park. studies based on this report will improve the knowledge about The main food and its host’s plants the existence of Butterfly and for butterfly the WCNP need to so its distribution and behavior in further research in the future Wangchuck Centennial National to ensure that its species and Park. 23 23 Study Area2 Fig. I: Map of Wangchuck Centennial National Park showing survey sites 23 23 Biology3 Let’s explore a butterfly’s life Depending on the type of cycle in detail, including all four butterfly, the life cycle of a stages of life. All butterflies have butterfly may take anywhere from “complete metamorphosis.” one month to a whole year. You To grow into an adult they go can print out this Butterfly Life through 4 stages: egg, larva, Cycle coloring page to follow pupa and adult. Each stage has along as we talk about the 4 a different goal - for instance, stages. - See more at: http://www. caterpillars need to eat a lot, thebutterflysite.com/life-cycle. and adults need to reproduce. shtml#sthash.8zXL61to.dpuf3. Butterfly Life Cycle 45 45 Methodology4 Fixed-route transects (Pollard Walks): Our survey follow the transact the beginning of April until the walk within the WCNP areas end of September yielding, ideally, and recorded the direct sighting 26 counts per year. Transect walks with GPS coordinates and are undertaken between 10.45am elevations against each species. and 3.45pm and only when This methodologies is named after weather conditions are suitable Ernie Pollard who helped design for butterfly activity. Weather and pilot the methodology with conditions have a considerable colleagues, these transect walks effect on the numbers of provide the highest quality data butterflies seen. To ensure that the within the UKBMS as they are counts are standardised as much walked weekly during a 26-week as possible:- period between 1st April and 29th Transects are not walked September each year. In case of when the temperature is our survey we have started from below 13°C (in northern 1st May till 30th May 2016. Since upland areas this may be we do not have enough time for reduced to 11°C) the survey, we might have missed Between 13-17°C, a transect the species. The team would like may be walked providing there is at least 60% sun to recommend detail field survey Above 17°C, a transect may on butterfly in future to add the be walked in any conditions, present lists. providing it is not actually raining As per the Pollard Walks the When wind speeds are above Butterflies are recorded in a fixed 5 on the Beaufort scale, width band (typically 5m wide) transects should not be along the transect each week from walked 45 45 Due to the vagaries of the British number of missing values can and Irish weather, it is rare in be estimated using other counts practice to achieve a full set of 26 during the season. weekly counts. However, a small 67 67 The status of5 the species as per the family SL. Un-com- Very Total Family Common Rare No mon common species 1 HESPERIIDAE 14 1 2 0 17 2 LYCAENIDAE 24 1 0 0 25 3 NYMPHALIDAE 50 10 0 6 66 4 PAPILIONIDAE 17 0 0 1 18 5 PIERIDAE 20 1 0 1 22 6 RIODINIDAE 8 0 0 0 8 Total 133 13 2 8 156 During the survey we have Un-common, 2 rare and 8 very recorded 6 family and 156 species common.