Monitoring Butterfly Populations in the Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum

The Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum is an established man-made habitat on the FAU Jupiter campus grounds, which features native Florida plants that showcase four of Florida’s major habitats (Mixed Hardwood Swamp, Pine Flatwoods, Oak/Cabbage Palm Hammock, and Tropical Hardwood Hammock). The arboretum also contains a butterfly garden, which includes specific Florida native plants that attract over 20 different species of Lepidoptera. This study uses a variation of the transect count method developed by E. Pollard (1977), to obtain data on Lepidoptera populations within the arboretum and to determine which habitats are preferred most. Sidewalks that pass through each habitat were used as the transects, and Lepidoptera species were counted and recorded at least twice a week. A total of 17 individual Lepidoptera taxa were identified, with 382 total individuals counted in the fall/winter and 275 individuals in the spring. The Butterfly Garden was by far the most densely populated habitat, with a total of 399 individuals identified there throughout the study.