We love Butterflies

Let’s protect Hong Kong’s 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 in Hong Kong 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 the local butterfly inventory, identifying more unprotected butterfly hotspots, and monitoring the dynamic relations between local butterfly species and environmental changes.

All the survey data is uploaded to Hong Kong Butterfly Inventory, and members of the public can join hands to monitor conditions of the 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”.

Butterfly Surveyor 2021-2022

YEAR 2022/2023

In progress.

YEAR 2021/2022

Data collation in progress.

YEAR 2020/2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, butterfly survey and data collection were hindered. 162 species of butterflies were recorded in 10 survey locations , accounting for 60% of the butterfly species in Hong Kong. They included 20 very rare (VR) and 24 rare (R) species

YEAR 2019/2020

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

YEAR 2018/2019

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.

YEAR 2017/2018

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.

YEAR 2016/2017

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.

YEAR 2015/2016

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.

YEAR 2014/2015

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.

YEAR 2013/2014

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.

YEAR 2012/2013

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.

YEAR 2011/2012

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.

YEAR 2010/2011

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.

YEAR 2009/2010

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.

Press Release: Surveyor Discovered Rare Butterflies (27 Sept 2009) (Chinese version only)

YEAR 2008/2009

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.

CONTACT US

3961 0200 (T)

2314 2661 (F)

butterfly@greenpower.org.hk

Rm. 2314, 23/F., Gala Place,

56 Dundas Street, Mongkok, Kln.