Observations on the species richness, abundance, and behavior of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in Puerto Rico during a two-week survey

Abstract

The butterfly fauna of Puerto Rico remains understudied, despite the island’s unique biodiversity and its susceptibility to anthropogenic pressures, climate change, and natural disasters. To investigate patterns of species richness, abundance, and behavior of butterflies in Puerto Rico, we conducted non-invasive, opportunistic surveys at eight locations from 18 February to 1 March 2024. During this period, we recorded 64 species and 1,796 individuals across all Papilionoidea families, excluding Riodinidae and Hedylidae, which are not present on the island. Nymphalidae was the most species-rich and abundant family, while Hemiargus hanno (Stoll) (Lycaenidae) was the most widespread and abundant species. Bosque Estatal de Cambalache exhibited the highest single-day species diversity followed by El Yunque National Forest. Rarefaction and extrapolation analyses were conducted to control for differences in sampling duration and permit comparisons among sites. We found the endemic species Calisto nubila Lathy to be common and widespread (n = 162), whereas Pyrisitia portoricensis (Dewitz) (n = 4), Choranthus borincona (F. Watson) (n = 6), and Atlantea tulita (Dewitz) (n = 2) were rare. The survey also revealed a low abundance of the non-native Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (n = 2). Significant records include Allosmaitia fidena (Hewitson) (n = 1), last observed in 2006, and Rhinthon cubana (Herrich-Schäffer) (n = 4), with scarce previous records. This article provides a concise account of the species richness, abundance, and behavior of adult butterfly species we observed in Puerto Rico during our survey period.