Colombia: Megadiverse Butterflies — A Field Report

Colombia: Megadiverse Butterflies — A Field Report By Peter Hall, advisor to eButterfly Colombia is considered by many as the country with the highest number of butterfly species in the world — approximately 4,000. After a long-awaited return, I joined a small-group butterfly tour organized by Greenwings (specialists in butterfly travel, groups of six plus two leaders) to explore three of Colombia's legendary butterfly corridors. --- THE WESTERN CORDILLERA: MONTEZUMA LODGE --- Our tour began in Pereira and headed immediately into the Andes, to the famous Montezuma Road in cloud forest bordering Tatama National Natural Park. Over five days between 1,400–2,400 m elevation, we explored rugged terrain with on-and-off rain giving way to spectacular sunny mornings. A local guide spread an aromatic concoction on streamside vegetation — drawing in butterflies from all families simultaneously, sometimes four or five species on a single leaf. Highlights included: • Metalmarks: Giant Anteros, Periander Metalmark (among a large variety) • Morphos: huge Common Morphos patrolling the road • Adelpha (7 species) and Prepona (5 species) sipping from the concoction • Leafwings: most prized was the Noble Leafwing • Skippers: numerous unnamed species plus Carystina mielkei, first found on Montezuma Road and named only in 2013 • A Blood Red Skipper On a rainy day at mid-elevation feeders, we also observed endemic bird species — including the endangered Gold-ringed Tanager. --- THE CENTRAL CORDILLERA: NEAR MANIZALES --- Moving east to a small inn near Manizales, with a sloped butterfly garden descending to a mountain stream, the species composition shifted dramatically. Hundreds of butterflies gathered to mudpuddle along the stream — the majority Orange-banded Daggerwing and Black-bordered Crescent, with a single spectacular Humboldt's Perisama (named for Alexander von Humboldt) appearing. Side trips up a nearby volcano reached 4,000 m, yielding high-altitude satyrs. --- THE EASTERN CORDILLERA: SANTA MARIA DE BOYACA --- Our final destination reached the Orinoco watershed — steep mountainsides forcing most exploration to river-edge roads with Atlantic/Amazonian butterfly affinities. New highlights here: • Multiple Morpho species, including a large colony of Telemachus Morpho caterpillars • More swallowtail and hairstreak diversity than previous sites: Isidorus Swallowtail, Meton Hairstreak • Spectacular skippers including Common Mycelus --- THE RESULT --- After just two weeks: approximately 400 species recorded — not counting still-unidentified LBJ (little-brown-job) skippers and metalmarks. All observations are now on eButterfly. Colombia is a megadiverse bonanza unlike anywhere else on Earth. Have you visited? Share your Colombian butterfly stories below! Source: eButterfly.org — Peter Hall