We love Butterflies

Let’s Explore Hong Kong Butterflies Together

Tiny but mighty, Hong Kong houses more than 260 species of butterflies, which is a tenth of all butterfly species in China. Around 40% of land in Hong Kong is designated as country parks that is protected by law. However, many prime butterfly areas in the “Butterfly Paradise” are yet to be properly protected.

Established in 2008, “Butterfly Surveyor” is the first Butterfly Surveyor group that comprises members of the public from diverse sectors. Providing long-term substantial human resources for butterfly survey, the group takes regular visits to various local butterfly hotspots. After sessions of extensive and on-site training, surveyors are qualified as specialists in butterfly and ecological data collection.

Through conducting butterfly surveys, we aim at expanding local butterfly inventory, exploring more local un-protected butterfly hotspots, thus monitoring the dynamic relations between local butterfly species and environmental changes.

Until 2019, “Butterfly Surveyor” has 361 qualified members, who have been monitoring regularly at 11 designated sites, namely, San Tau – Lantau Island, Luk Keng – North District, Wu Kau Tang – Tai Po, Yuen Tun Ha – Tai Po, Sha Tau Kok – North District, Sham Chung and Yung Shue O – Sai Kung, Pak Sha O and Lai Chi Chong – Sai Kung, Mui Wo – Lautau Island, Tong Fuk and Shui Hau – Lantau Island, Tai Lam Country Park (Kam Tin) and Lung Kwu Tan - Tuen Mun. All the survey data is uploaded to Hong Kong Butterfly Inventory, members of the public can join hands to monitor conditions of butterfly hotspots.

The programme opens to general public. Each year, “Butterfly Surveyor” programme recruits members of the public as new members. After the completion of trainings and assessments, they will be qualified as “Butterfly Surveyors”. Registration for Butterfly Surveyor 2020 has been closed. Details for the next recruitment will be announced soon. Stay tuned to this website for further details.

Details for Butterfly Surveyor 2020

Butterfly Surveyor 2020 Log In

2021

Open for application soon

2020

Data collation in progress

2019

Annual survey included 11 sites, 183 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 69% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 27 very rare (VR) and 30 rare (R) species

2018

Annual survey included 12 sites, 178 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 67% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 24 very rare (VR) and 31 rare (R) species.

Butterflies Abound at Lung Kwu Tan, a Potential Reclamation Site (15 Jul 2018)

2017

Annual survey included 11 sites, 181 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 68% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 25 very rare (VR) and 28 rare (R) species.

2016

Annual survey included 10 sites, 197 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 74% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 36 very rare (VR) and 35 rare (R) species.
During May to July, 3 surveys were conducted at Sha Lo Wan, San Shek Wan and Shum Wat on Lantau. A total of 84 butterfly species were recorded. A stable population of Common Archduke (Lexias pardalis), which was only recently discovered in Hong Kong, was found.

2015

Annual survey included 10 sites, 174 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 65% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 23 very rare (VR) and 27 rare (R) species.
In January, a notable butterfly species – European Beak (Libythea celtis), was found at Sha Tau Kok. This was the first Hong Kong record of the species.

2014

Annual survey included 9 sites, 173 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 65% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 20 very rare (VR) and 30 rare (R) species.

2013

Annual survey included 8 sites, 171 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 64% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 20 very rare (VR) and 29 rare (R) species.
In July, Hooked Oak Blue (Arhopala paramuta), a species that had not been recorded in Hong Kong for 32 years, was found at Sha Tau Kok.
In February, the surveyors discovered illegal excavation work at the Ta Tit Yan butterfly hotspot.

2012

Annual survey included 7 sites, 183 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 68% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 28 very rare (VR) and 29 rare (R) species.

2011

Annual survey included 6 sites, 166 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 62% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 9 very rare (VR) and 22 rare (R) species.
In October, ecological vandalism was discovered at butterfly hotspot - Yuen Tun Ha.

2010

Annual survey included 5 sites, 151 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 56% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 5 very rare (VR) and 21 rare (R) species.
In July, ecological vandalism was discovered at butterfly hotspot - Yuen Tun Ha.

2009

Annual survey included 4 sites, 142 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 53% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 3 very rare (VR) and 17 rare (R) species.

2008

Commencement of “Butterfly Surveyor” community survey programme.
First year survey covered 3 sites, 128 species of butterflies were recorded, accounting for 48% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 6 very rare (VR) and 14 rare (R) species.
In October, ecological vandalism was discovered at butterfly hotspot - Luk Keng.