Borneo: Hotspot for butterfly diversity with over 80 endemic species

KOTA KINABALU - More than 960 butterfly species have been found in Borneo and 81 of them are endemic, said Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Development) Dr Arthur Y.C. Chung.

He said nature in Borneo, with 15 different types of forests, especially mountain forests, provides a natural habitat for tropical butterflies to flourish.

"We have mountain forests like in (Mount) Kinabalu, Crocker Range, (Mount) Trusmadi... we also have mixed dipterocarp forests, the hill dipterocarp forests and lowland dipterocarp forests which are very rich with biodiversity," he said during the launch of the book 'A Guide to Butterflies of Borneo' here recently.

The book was launched by Singapore Gardening Society president Tan Jiew Hoe and also present were Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan and director of Natural History Publications (Borneo) Chan Hin Ching.

Chung, also the book's senior author, said he was pleased that after five years of waiting, the book was finally produced, showing a glimpse of the tremendous diversity and beauty of butterflies in Borneo.

He said the great teamwork with the three co-authors - Datuk C.L. Chan, Dr Steven Bosuang and Teo Thiam Peng - paved the way for producing such a great masterpiece about the beauty of Bornean butterflies.

"Appreciation also to some 50 photographers who contributed their excellent photos that helped make this book outstanding," Chung said.

Chung also shared about the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, whose scientific name is Trogonoptera brookiana, a birdwing butterfly from the Malaysian rainforests, and the Kinabalu Birdwing, whose scientific name is Troides andromache, a rare butterfly declared as Sabah’s state butterfly.

Rajah Brooke's Birdwing was discovered by Alfred Russel Wallace and named after James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak from 1841 to 1868, while the Kinabalu Birdwing was declared as Sabah's state butterfly by the state's Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment last October.

Meanwhile Tan said the book's comprehensive work marks a significant milestone in butterfly studies, offering a definitive reference for exploring the enchanting world of Borneo's butterflies while standing as a beacon of knowledge, illuminating the intricate beauty and diversity of these winged wonders in Borneo.

"As we immerse ourselves in the pages of this guide, we not only uncover the mysteries of butterflies but also deepen our appreciation for their crucial role within our ecosystem," he added.

The book, priced at between RM180 and RM200 and comprising 436 pages with a coloured pictorial of 158 captivating butterfly species and three subspecies, aims to raise awareness and celebrate the remarkable diversity of tropical butterflies ranging from exotic and grand specimens to those commonly found in Borneo. - BERNAMA