Butterflies
Our butterfly garden supports a variety of local butterfly species. Previous butterfly survey conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 aimed to document butterfly diversity on HKUST campus: the Chinese Garden Trail (CGT) and the artificial grassland at LG7. These areas encompass woodlands, shrublands, and gardens – habitats that support a wide range of butterfly species.
Barbeque site in the Chinese Garden Trail
Grassland at LG7
Species & Abundance
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a total of 3,154 individuals from 96 butterfly species were recorded, representing approximately 36% of all species found in Hong Kong
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82 species were observed at the Chinese Garden Trail and 73 species at LG7, with similar family representation at both sites
Most Common Species
The Pale Grass Blue (Zizeeria maha) was the most abundant, with 672 individuals.
Its host plant, Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata), is widespread at both sites.
The Red-base Jezebel (Delias pasithoe) was the second most common species at the Chinese Garden Trail, while the Blue-spotted Crow (Euploea midamus) was the most abundant at LG7
Diversity highlights
Butterflies recorded included members of six major families (Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Riodinidae)
Number of butterfly species recorded from each family group
Most species are classified as very common, or uncommon in Hong Kong, with five species considered as rare or very rare locally.
Summary of the local distribution status of the recorded butterfly species
Recorded butterfly species with rare or very rare local
Caltoris cahira
Common Name :
Dark Swift
Local Status : Rare
Delias acalis
Common Name :
Red-breast Jezebel
Local Status : Rare
Zizula hylax
Common Name :
Tiny Grass Blue
Local Status : Rare
Megisba malaya
Common Name :
Malayan
Local Status : Very Rare
Prioneris thestylis
Common Name :
Spotted Sawtooth
Local Status : Rare
