Danaid Butterfly Research Hong Kong
A project of the Global Change & Tropical Conservation Lab
at The University of Hong Kong
Our Goal
We aim to understand the migratory behaviors of danaid butterflies within Hong Kong and the greater South China region.
To do so, we are using a large, public mark-release-recapture study. We are tagging thousands of butterflies with stickers emblazoned with this website's URL. Observers of tagged butterflies can report the date and location of their sighting.
Public reports of butterflies allow us to collect valuable data on the timing and direction of danaid movements, as well as their longevity.
Our tagging programme:
How it works
We catch danaid butterflies and gently adhere uniquely coded stickers to their right hindwings. We are permitted to do so by HKSAR AFCD.
Each sticker is 10 mm in diameter and made of lightweight, water resistant paper (~7.5 mg, less than 3% of an average Euploea body weight). They do not affect the insects' flight. Every sticker includes an URL, at which the public can report their sightings, and a unique code corresponding to the individual butterfly.
The colour of butterfly tags corresponds to the season:
Green = Summer (Jun-Aug)
Yellow = Autumn (Sept-Nov)
White = Winter (Dec-Jan)
We also record the species, sex, and wing condition of each butterfly we tag, as well as the date and location of tagging.
Afterwards, each butterfly is released to continue its journey.
Mark-release-recapture studies
Mark-release-recapture studies are often used to study population sizes and dynamics, but they are also used in migration studies like this one.
In a mark-release-recapture study, animals are caught, marked, released, and recaptured after an interval of time. The proportion of marked to non-marked individuals captured can be used to estimate the size of the population.
Such techniques can also be used to determine the direction, distance, and speed of migration.
Site survey and habitat monitoring
In addition to our tagging program, we are also monitoring known danaid overwintering sites to understand site selection, and population sizes and dynamics of danaids in Hong Kong.
Cluster site microclimates will be monitored to identify the environmental conditions favourable for butterfly clustering.
Education & outreach
In 2022 and 2023, we will hold public butterfly tagging events to involve local communities our migration research. Stay tuned for more information!
In 2023, we will be holding schools visits to expose students to this amazing but fragile natural phenomenon and encourage their participation in science.
Acknowledgements
The Conservation Association
Management Agreement Scheme at Lai Chi Wo Enclave
Reporting System
We want to determine the route and destination of these migrating butterflies. We can only do this with your help!
If you found one of our tagged butterflies, click here to report it!