The coenosis characteristics of butterfly species in the Xiama forest area of Tianzhu County

A field survey during July to September in 2008, 2009 and 2010 was conducted to determine the coenosis characteristics of butterfly species in the Xiama forest area of Tianzhu County. 2000 specimens were collected and were identified as 71 species/subspecies, which belonged to 8 families and 50 genera, in which Pieridae consisted of 20 species belonging to 9 genera, and accounted for 28.2% of total species, and was dominant species group; Nymphalidae consisted of 15 genera including 15 species with 21.2% of total species and Satyridae consisted of 13 genera including 14 species with 19.7% of total species and they were subdominant species groups; Parnassidae consisted of 1 genus including 9 species with of 12.7% of total species and Lycaenidae consisted of 8 genera including 8 species with 11.3% of total species, and they were common species groups; Hesperiidae consisted of 2 genera including 2 species, and Papilionidae consisted of 1 genus including 2 species, and Riodinidae consisted of 1 genus including 1 species, and they accounted for 2.8%, 2.8% and 1.4% of total species, respectively, and were incidental groups. The monotypic genus was 43 and occupied by 86% of total genera, in which species was 61% of total species. The multiple genera were 7 and accounted for 14%, and species of which was 28 with 38% of total species. The ratio of genera and species was 0.86.This study suggested that butterflies in the study region were mainly monotypic genus.