Warming to Hong Kong: first-time butterfly species spotted at Tai Po reserve
Conservationists believe warmer weather may have brought insect to the city from more familiar habitat in India or Southeast Asia
Warmer temperatures in Hong Kong may have attracted a new migrant butterfly to the city after the species was spotted for the first time, according to local conservationists.
Prosotas nora, a beige, spotted creature, was seen in the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, near Tai Po in the New Territories, by a butterfly watcher.
The butterfly is normally seen in warmer Asian climates such as in India, Malaysia and the Philippines, but may have migrated north as Hong Kong experienced an exceptionally long and hot summer, said Dr Yau Wing-kwong, CEO of the Environmental Association.
The sighting has added to the list of more than 200 species to which the 42-hectare butterfly reserve is home. At least 50 of them are uncommon or rare in Hong Kong.
In addition, two extremely rare butterflies were also sighted in the reserve in the past two months.
"While it is exciting for Hong Kong to have a new butterfly species, it also reflects that global warming and climate change has a serious impact on our ecological system, and that is closely linked to the survival of all animal species" said Yau.