Butterfly’s Daily Activities of Troides helena (Linn.) in Insects Museum and Butterflies Park of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Abstract

Troides helena (Linn.) is one of butterflies from Family Papilionidae which protected by law in Indonesia. Illegal export and increasing demand of this species caused an exploitation of its population in nature. Thus, need a conservation effort to guarantee its sustainability. Conservation success, mainly in preservation and utilization, need information about time utilization pattern of T. helena’s daily activities. Insects Museum and Butterflies Park of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) provide artificial habitats of butterflies. Butterflies function in this park is as live butterflies demonstration and educational means of their life. Purpose of this study is to knowing about time utilization pattern of T. helena’s daily activities. Result of this research is useful to provide information about daily’s time utilization pattern of T. helena and provide time selection reference of butterflies demonstration as tourist attraction. This study conducted from July to November 2009 in Insect Museum and Butterflies Park of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Equipments used in this research were dry-wet thermometer, stopwatch, digital camera, butterflies and plants identification books, and butterflies marker. The method used is by focal animal sampling which done to 5 male and 5 female T. helena. Activities observation started at 07:00 WIB to 17:00 WIB with 5 minutes time interval. Data analyzed by T test. Highest time allocation of daily activities were roosting (515.46 minutes), flying (45.86 minutes), nectar-feeding (3.94 minutes) and interaction (1.65 minutes), respectively. Comparison between male and female T. helena based on T test’s result different significantly in interaction and descending activities. It’s caused by male activity which more active to seek couple than female. Active time of T. helena was in the morning and reach its peak at 10:00 to 11:00 WIB. Most of flying activity did at 09:00 to 10:00 WIB. Most of nectar-feeding activity did at 08:00 to 09:00 WIB. Most of interaction did at 10:00 to 11:00 WIB. Most of roosting activity started at 13:00 to 17:00 WIB. Copulation activity, averaged, did for 2 to 3 hours. Egg-laying of female couldn’t observed caused of that butterfly die. Factors of T. helena’s mortality in Butterflies Park were damaged wing and predation by predator such as chameleon, lizard, ant and spider. Best time for visiting to watch T. helena’s activity start from 09:00 to 13:00 WIB. Checking of Butterflies Park and expulsion of butterfly’s predator, critically needed to decrease mortality risk of butterflies.