Research conducted by Flora Fauna Nusantara (FFN) in the Garahan Forest area, Jember, documented diverse butterfly communities and highlighted the ecological importance of habitat variation in supporting tropical forest biodiversity.
Flora Fauna Nusantara (FFN) conducted a butterfly community structure study in the Resort Pemangkuan Hutan (RPH) Garahan, BKPH Sempolan, Perum Perhutani KPH Jember, from December 2022 to February 2023. Dominated by pine forests and tropical vegetation, the Garahan Forest area serves as an important habitat for various butterfly species in East Java.
Butterflies are important components of forest ecosystems. In addition to functioning as pollinators, butterflies are also widely recognized as bioindicators, meaning their diversity and abundance can reflect environmental quality and habitat conditions.
The research documented 297 butterfly individuals belonging to 25 species from 3 different families. Sampling activities were carried out in pine forest and natural forest habitats using roaming and sweeping methods across ten observation points.
Several butterfly species successfully recorded during the study included:
- 🦋 Papilio memnon
- 🦋 Graphium sarpedon
- 🦋 Polyura athamas
- 🦋 Euploea eunice
- 🦋 Euploea climena
- 🦋 Euploea mulciber
- 🦋 Hypolimnas bolina
- 🦋 Tanaecia palguna
- 🦋 Faunis canens
- 🦋 Melanitis leda
- 🦋 Orsotriaena medus
- 🦋 Mycalesis horsfieldi
- 🦋 Ypthima horsfieldii
- 🦋 Leptosia nina
- 🦋 Catopsilia pomona
- 🦋 Eurema hecabe
Among all recorded species, Ypthima horsfieldii was the butterfly most frequently encountered within the study area. This species is commonly associated with grassy habitats and forest edges, where its larvae utilize grasses as host plants.
💡 Fun Fact
Butterflies from the genus Ypthima are commonly known as “ringlets” due to the circular eye-like spots found on their wings. These patterns function as defensive markings that help confuse predators by mimicking the eyes of larger animals.
💡 Another Interesting Insight
Graphium sarpedon, also known as the Common Bluebottle, is recognized for its fast and agile flight behavior. Unlike many butterfly species that spend long periods resting on flowers, this species is frequently observed actively flying along forest trails and near streams.
🌿 Ecological Insight
The presence of butterfly communities in both pine forest and natural forest habitats indicates that habitat heterogeneity plays an important role in maintaining butterfly diversity. Differences in vegetation structure, humidity, temperature, and light intensity create various microhabitats that support the survival of different butterfly species.
Through studies such as this, FFN continues to support biodiversity exploration and conservation efforts by documenting butterfly communities as important indicators of tropical forest ecosystem health.
