The “fairy butterfly” trippingly flutters in the bushes [photo/ on-site investigators]
On May 13th, Parnassius glacialis, which is reputed as the “fairy butterfly”, was found in Danjiangkou (China’s national-level water protection area, located in the northwest of Hubei Province). It is the first time that Parnassius glacialis has been observed and recorded in Hubei Province. “This indicates that Danjiangkou provides a sound ecological community for the survival of rare fauna and flora,” said lead expert Wu Gang, “The wild host plants of Parnassius glacialis were less disturbed by human activities and the population size and diversity of rare and protected insects have increased significantly.”
On April 30, Wu Gang, associate professor of the College of Plant Science and Technology of HZAU, led a team to Danjiangkou to conduct a field survey on insect diversity. After the rain, a team member Liu Yuchen found a Parnassius glacialis flying low in the bushes near Tanjiapo, Taihe Avenue. “The butterfly fluttered at a meter high of the ground, with graceful and elegant posture like a fairy, and its unique pattern looks delicate and refined.” Liu recalled. The slow movement of the butterfly allowed investigator Li Chengyue to capture the precious picture with his camera.
Later, there have been frequent sightings of Parnassius glacialis. On May 2, the investigation team found four Parnassius glacialis in Liangjiashan, one pair of which seemed to be ready to mate. From May 3 to 6, they found Parnassius glacialis in the woods and grass several times in Jiangjiagou on Liangxi Road and Zhaojiaping village on National Highway 209. Therefore, Prof. Wu believed that the population growth of Parnassius glacialis already occurred on a small scale in Danjiangkou.
Parnassius glacialis, a rare and protected butterfly species in China, originally means “frozen” in Latin, which represents as clean as ice and as pure as jade. The butterflies can be seen in mid to late April, but are uncommon in early June. Their main host plants are Corydalis incisa and Corydalis caudata. With a wingspan of 60 to 70 mm, the butterfly is white and light yellow. Its thin and translucent wings are as gentle as silk. The spots on the wings look like light smoke in ink paintings. That’s why it is known as “fairy butterfly”. Parnassius glacialis, a terrestrial wild animal with important ecological, scientific and social values, is extremely rare in China and demands highly agreeable ecology and environment.
“Butterflies respond to environment faster than birds and other insects and are recognized as highly sensitive indicators of environmental change.” Wu Gang introduced that butterflies are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as host plants and temperature and humidity in their habitats, and are able to quickly reflect the changes in the ecological environment. Therefore, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment used butterflies for biodiversity observation for the first time in 2016 to monitor and provide early warning of the impact of climate change on the ecological environment.
According to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Hubei Province, they will make full use of the results of this survey to strengthen the ecological environment and biodiversity protection in the Hubei region along the Yangtze River.
Hubei launched a biodiversity background investigation in the first half of last year. The first pilot areas were selected from seven places with rich biodiversity resources: Shennongjia Forestry District, Danjiangkou City and Badong County, Dianjun District, Shishou City, Caidian District and Huangmei County. The background investigation will last until April next year, and a biodiversity database of Hubei will be established by then.
Source: http://news.hzau.edu.cn/2022/0516/63311.shtml
Translated by: Lei Mengfan
Supervised by: Xie Lujie
