Diversity and the role of butterflies species at PT Permata Sawit Mandiri, West Kalimantan

Abstract

The use of chemicals indicates a cost inefficiency and makes oil palm plantations considered environmentally unfriendly causing a decrease in environmental quality. These problems indicate the need to increase the role of biodiversity to optimize oil palm productivity and be environmentally friendly. Based on this, research is needed on the diversity and role of butterfly species in palm oil agrosystems. The purpose of this study is to identify the species of butterflies in various land cover and analyzes the role of butterflies in the palm oil agrosystem. The research was conducted at PT Permata Sawit Mandiri, West Kalimantan. Diversity data was obtained through pollard transect and trapping methods, while role data was obtained through the literature study method. The pollard transect method was carried out along a line measuring 2 × 1,000 m long and 10 m wide at 08.00-11.00. The trapping method was carried out by placing 5 traps in each observation line for 3 × 24 hours. The results showed that there were 190 individuals belonging to Papilionidae (3 species), Pieridae (8 species), Nymphalidae (37 species), Lycaenidae (7 species), and Hesperidae (4 species). There are variations of butterfly species between land covers with the highest number of species found in rubber gardens (27 species). 7 species of butterflies have the potential as oil palm pollinators with the highest potential owned by Elymnias hypermnestra. The Papilionidae (Graphium agamemnon, Papilio polytes, Papilio memnon) can be environmental bioindicators because more sensitive to the environment.