Butterflies in Akagera National Park – As you walk through the forests, vegetation, and swampy areas within the park, you will spot a variety of butterflies such as harvesters, lipteninae, swallowtail butterflies, pieridae, hesperiidae, nymphalidae, Amauris albimaculata, gossamer-winged butterflies, and many others.
These species are very sensitive and need to be carefully protected to prevent their disappearance. Acts like deforestation, the widespread expansion of human settlements, the use of pesticides, poaching, and the illegal transportation of endangered species should be put to an end to ensure the growth of more species in the jungle.
Butterflies can be further protected by creating awareness in society about their beauty and importance. Take the initiative to report anyone encroaching on Akagera to safeguard the butterflies from leaving the park or dying.
A dedicated research team has identified 154 species belonging to 65 genera across six permanent sites in Akagera National Park, with 61 species belonging to the Nymphalidae family, which is the most dominant.
The monitoring site located at the park’s headquarters hosts the highest species richness, with a total of 52 species recorded. Other high concentrations of butterflies were found at the Ruzizi and Birengero sites, with 819 and 760 individuals recorded, respectively. Additional monitoring sites include Mihindi, Mutumba, and Nyungwe, each varying in species diversity.
An applause should be given to the research team, as they walk one kilometer through each site during sunny weather, identifying different butterfly species based on color patterns and wing textures.
It is said that butterfly abundance is influenced by habitat type, vegetation structure, and the availability of food plants and water.
These species are very sensitive, and loud noise can cause them to hide, which is why loud noises are highly prohibited to maintain a calm environment for the butterflies. Even birds are sensitive to sudden movements, so make sure to follow all instructions from your tour guide.
The African Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is considered one of the most beautiful butterflies in the world. Butterflies are also important indicators of environmental health, as they help in pollination, which leads to the growth of plant species.
If you want to contribute to their protection, consider joining local conservation groups, supporting their work to protect butterflies, or even planting trees to create more habitats for these species.
With joint effort, we can ensure that butterflies continue to fly to greater horizons.
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