Fourth SA Butterfly Census Week: Results

South Africa's fourth Butterfly Census Week (BCW4) took place on the week of 22-30 October 2011. About 40 teams registered for the event, and about 30 of these managed to return data to us (75% return rate).


 

 
We'd like to thank Incledon for sponsoring BCW4!!
 

 

We have put together some general results for BCW4. We received data from seven provinces, with most data being submitted from KZN (9 teams) and the Western Cape (7 teams), and no census data was received for the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape.
 
(*Please note: the use of "species" below refers to species and subspecies).
 

Overall, the top three teams in the Expert and Beginner categories are as follows:
 
Expert
1) Ilanda Wilds (KZN) - 63 species
2) The League of Nations (KZN) - 56 species
3) Highland Emperors (Limpopo) - 35 species
 
Beginner
1) Knight Family (KZN) - 42 species
2) Kata Charis (Mpumalanga) - 33 species
3) Tie: Dogbite (KZN) - 27 species
 
Well done to these teams! In total, 203 species were observed during the census, with the highest number seen in KZN (119 species) and Mpumalanga (70 species). The number of species seen within each of the five Families was similar between all four censuses
 
The differences in the number of species seen within each province between censuses are more than likely a result of varying observer effort. THus far it does not seem as though are any significant patterns emerging between censuses, although some species do seem to be seaasonal.
 
To access more detailed results for the census as a whole (top teams per category, most common butterflies seen, number of species seen, numbers seen in each butterfly Family, participating teams and comparisons with previous BCWs), please click on the following link (pdf format):
 
Entire census results (1.2MB)

To access the detailed results per province (top teams per province, most common butterflies seen, number of species seen, numbers seen in each butterfly Family, participating teams and comparisons with previous BCWs), please click on the relevant province in the list below. The results are in pdf format.
 
Free State (294kb)
 
Gauteng (338kb)
 
KwaZulu-Natal (340kb)
 
Limpopo (499kb)
 
Mpumalanga (499kb)
 
North West (316kb)
 
Western Cape (332kb)

By monitoring butterflies at the exact same locality over time, eventually long-term data are gathered which can be used to plot these types of graphs over a much longer time period. The patterns and trends observed for each of the butterflies as well as the number of species seen (species richness) at each locality can then be analysed with respect to their relation to climatic variables, such as temperature, rainfall. It is highly likely that some of these butterflies may indicate changes in the climate by observing changes in their patterns of occurrence and abundance. Thus BCWs contribute towards monitoring butterfly populations and understanding climate change.

Thank you to all participating teams for taking part in the fourth South African Butterfly Census Week. All feedback and data received will be evaluated, to plan for and make improvements on the next census.
 


Rachel Carter - Team Carter
Angelique Carter - Team Carter

Hermanus school children, Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Hermanus school children, Fernkloof Nature Reserve

A BIG thank you to LepSoc members on the VM ID panel for identifying photos for the BCW4, and to Monique Boucher (ex-SABCA assistant) who helped with putting together the results.
 
For more information and news on previous and future BCWs, please visit the LepSoc website:
 
Butterfly Census Week Page: http://www.lepsoc.org.za/butterfly-census-weeks/sa-butterfly-census-weeks.html
Butterfly Census Week Forum: http://www.lepsoc.org.za/butterfly-census-weekends/
 
Silvia Mecenero