Abstract

VARGAS-ZAPATA, MARÍA A et al. Species Richness and Abundance of Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) in Las Delicias Natural Reserve, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2011, vol.16, n.1, pp.43-60. ISSN 0120-548X.

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, are formations of dry tropical secondary forest hosting a fauna representative of Lepidoptera, which can be used as an indicator of group condition, because of their sensitivity to intervention and specificity in the use of resources. In the present study the changes in richness and abundance of butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea in nature reserve Las Delicias were evaluated. Two sampling sites with different degrees of intervention were selected. The first site is located between 400- 550m over sea level, while the second at 200m. We performed four samples, from April to July 2008, using two networks lepidopterist and 10van Someren Rydon traps baited with macerated fruit and fish. We captured 432 individuals belonging to 66 species, distributed in 52 genera. Nymphalidae were the most rich family (42) and abundance (250); highlighting the species Mechanitis lysimnia Fabricius (41 specimens), typical in forest with very good coverage. Site 2, was the most diverse (48) and abundance (236), because in this place there was a greater stratification and tree coverage, and the presence of water resources during the sampling. With the arrival of rain in June and July, there was greater flowering and fruiting of vegetation in the area, increasing the availability of resources and therefore a greater richness and abundance of Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea in the study area.

Keywords : Tropical dry forest; Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; Nymphalidae; Mechanitis lysimnia.

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