Occurrence of butterflies in eastern and central Uganda Key forests

Study Extent

These data are an occurrence dataset of birds recorded from eastern and central Uganda forests including Mabira, South Busoga, Bukaleba, West Bugwe, Igwe-Luvunya, Mpigi, Mpanga and Zika forest reserves.

Sampling

The sampling methodology used for data collection was baited traps and intensive use of sweep nets for species not usually attracted to traps. Twelve fine-mesh cylindrical traps (approx. 70 cm x 40 cm diameter) were set at a range of heights above ground level (1-10 m) for the duration of the survey. Emphasis was placed on sampling different sites with respect to habitat types, altitude and shade. In addition, a variety of baits was used; fermenting banana, dog faeces, chicken offal, urine, and locally distilled alcohol. Traps were checked regularly and specimens of each species collected.

Quality Control

Specimens of every species (and suspected species) were collected, dried and stored in labelled envelopes for subsequent processing in Kampala. All specimens were identified by the author with reference to a number of guides including Carcasson (1961; 1963; 1975), D'Abrera (1980), Henning (1988), Kielland (1990) and Larsen (1991), as well as the collections at the Kawanda Agricultural Research Station, Kampala, the Department of Zoology, Makerere University, Kampala and the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Any specimens of doubtful identification were verified by S. Collins of Nairobi, Kenya.

Method steps

1. The national survey of Uganda forests collected data in 65 forests. The original field survey results including all data were published in a series of reports by the Forest Department of Uganda (Howard et al. 1996). The current dataset comprises records of butterflies that were sweep netted and baited into traps during this survey. We selected a sample of forests that had been surveyed in the Central and Eastern Regions of Uganda in order to digitize the data for GBIF. Electronic copies of the written reports and a separate electronic database of records were made available for this purpose by the original authors of the reports (Peter Howard). We extracted the butterfly sweep nets and baited traps records from the electronic database and supplemented these with location data provided in the narrative reports.

A total of 2555 butterfly (Rhopalocera) occurrences were recorded.

1. Acraea orinata
   rank: species

The data were collected from West Bugwe and Igwe-Luvunya, plus South Busoga, Bukaleba, Mabira, Mukono, Mpanga, Gangu, Lwamunda and Kisubi forest reserves