Butterfly species in Hong Kong found in record numbers despite habitat harm, NGO says

Butterfly species, including rare varieties, have been found in record numbers in some parts of Hong Kong despite destruction of the insect’s natural habitat, an environmental group has said.

Green Power said on Sunday its recent survey recorded 186 types across six hotspots, representing nearly 70 per cent of the city’s butterfly species, with 59 of them classified as “rare” and “very rare”.

Luk Keng in North district, Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun and San Tau in Tung Chung emerged as the top three locations with the highest counts, logging 149, 147, and 141 species respectively.

Lung Kwu Tan and San Tau reported increases in the number of very rare species, such as the common leopard, with sightings up 11 per cent and 21 per cent respectively compared with the previous survey.

The NGO said the record high numbers in Lung Kwu Tan were surprising, given its increasing industrialisation and loss of wetland areas over the past six years.