National Parks of Taiwan

After the natural habitat was successfully simulated protected Heng-chun birdwing butterflies can be seen in Kenting National Park

After a three-year survey of the ecology of wild Heng-chun birdwing butterflies (Troides aeacus kaguya (Nakahara & Esaki)) , Kenting National Park Headquarters began to recreate the butterfly’s natural habitat. In 2008, cultivation of the butterfly larvae’s food plant, Kungkao Birthwort (Aristolochia zollingeriana), was completed, it was planted to recreate the butterflies' natural habitat and monitoring of food plant’s growth was carried out. From July 2008 female Heng-chun birdwing butterflies visited to lay eggs and, in September, adult butterflies took flight. Now Heng-chun birdwing butterflies can be seen near the national park headquarters.

To promote ecological conservation concepts in the area the park headquarters has, moreover,  held a “Heng-chun birdwing butterfly Conservation Course” for residents of communities within the butterflies’ habitat, conserving a rare species through conservation education of local residents and community patrols.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Kenting National Park Headquarters