Seasonal Dynamics of Butterfly (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) Abundance in the Tropical Rain Forest of Vietnam

摘要

Seasonal dynamics of butterfly diversity and abundance was studied in the tropical forest of the Tarn Dao National Park, North Vietnam, from 2001 to 2005. The data were obtained from April to November along transects in different habitats from secondary forests to agricultural lands in the lowlands (200^100 m a.s.l.) and from the natural forest to agricultural land in the highlands (900-1000 m a.s.l.). The number of species and individuals had two peaks: the first, in May in lowlands and in June in highlands; the second, in October at both altitudes. There was a significant positive correlation between the fluctuations of the numbers of species and individuals. The peak abundance of particular species was recorded in May-June and in September-October. The flight season of the forest species was shorter than that of the species living in open habitats. The latter species tended to have more generations per year than the forest ones.