Population Assessment of Butterfly Host Plants in the Selected Sites Near Mt. Banahaw De Lucban Lucban, Quezon, Philippines

Abstract

This study investigates the population of butterfly host plants thriving in Mt. Banahaw de Lucban Botanical Garden and the college of Agriculture campus in Lucban Quezon, primarily as a prerequisite for the conservation of endemic butterfly fauna and its host plants through butterfly farming. Quadrat method of sampling techniques was utilized in the study. Results revealed 36 species belonging to 21 families were found thriving in the Botanical Garden and 39 species belonging to 21 families comprises the host plants' population in the campus. Majority of the host plants in the study sites were unevenly disturbed and have low density and frequency values. Moreover, most of the them are utilize by 2 or more species of butterfly fauna as nectar and larval hosts while some butterflies are dependent only on one species of host plant as their larval host. The results simply reflect that the host plants both in the study sites are not enough to support food requirements for butterfly breeding projects and even the population of the butterfly fauna in the wild. It is recommended that a nursery for host plants be established in both sites, an enhancement planting of endemic host plants be done and a continuous study of the same nature be conducted in the other past of Mt. Banahaw.