1st SEA Lepidoptera Conservation Symposium

September 11th, 2006

The 1st South East Asian Lepidoptera Conservation Symposium was just recently held in Hongkong last 4 - 8 September (last week) and through the generosity of Lydia, enabled me to participate in this worthwhile endeavor. Lepidoptera is basically the family of insects that comprises the butterflies and moths. In the South East Asian scenario, there is a need to focus on the conservation as well as research on these beautiful creatures which unfortunately, are very much under threat with habitat destruction. This symposium wanted to address these concerns as well as setup a centralized and concerted effort for research and education among individuals and groups concerned with Southeast Asian Lepidoptera. Participants came from different parts of Asia, Europe and Australia and gave their inputs, expertise as well as update on what is currently happening in their respective countries.

During the symposium, field trips were conducted and one of the areas we visited was the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve. An abandoned agricultural land that was then frequented by collectors from other countries, it was “saved” and converted into a butterfly reserve that showcased not only the butterflies of Hongkong but more so on how concerned individuals and volunteers can help make a difference in educating people about the environment, importance of these insects in habitat conservation. Right, a beautiful Spindasis syama feeding on nectar.

During one of the discussion panels, the symposium speakers taking and addressing questions from the audience. Rigth, Lydia Robledo of the Philippine Butterfly Habitat Conservation Society looks on Dr. Yen Sheng Horn answering a question on diurnal moths.