Borboletas como indicadores de diversidade biológica em Belém, Pará

Abstract

Despite the richness of the Amazon region, existing research on Lepidoptera in the State of Pará is incipient and sometimes taxonomically outdated. Butterflies are sensitive to changes in microclimate, vegetation, and habitat conditions due to anthropogenic factors, and are therefore bio-indicators of great value in monitoring the environment. This work intends to contribute to an evaluation of the variation and abundance of urban species in the center and periphery of Belém, as well as to observe their behavior and way of life. Collections of adult individuals were made at various points in Belém during 1998 and 1999 for the elaboration of the first list of butterfly species of Belém, with information, through the help of literature, on the habitat, host-plant and feeding habits of the species. For this purpose, a reorganization of the Lepidoptera collection of the Goeldi Museum was indispensable. A clear variation in the abundance of butterflies was observed during the rainy and sunny periods, the latter showing an appreciable drop in the population. Comparing records of the abundance of butterflies in Belém, we noticed a decline in their population. This is due to the growing urbanization, which brings as a consequence the reduction of their food-plants and also of the areas of capoeira, in places farther from the city center, which are habitat for butterflies that feed on fruits and sap. Through this work we can conclude that due to their fragility, butterflies are powerful bio-indicators, which reaffirms their importance and the urgent need for their preservation.