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Saturday, February 2, 2008

ON THE WINGS OF CONVERSATION



Pictures of the beautiful butterflies.

Indonesia's tropical forests support a rich and varied assemblage of insects, few are as impressive in size and beauty as the birdwing butterflies of genus Ornithoptera ( orn-neeth-tho-pee-tra).Birdwings are large, tropical papilionid butterflies native to mainland and archipelagic Southeast Asia and of course Indonesia , and are usually regarded as belonging to three genera: Ornithoptera, Trogonoptera and Troides. Some authorities include additional genera and the number of species range between 10 and 30 depending on the taxonomic treatment. Birdwings are named for their exceptional size, angular wings, and birdlike flight.
Included among the birdwings are some of the largest butterflies in the world: the largest, Queen Alexandra's Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae); the second largest, the Goliath Birdwing (O. goliath); and the largest Australian butterfly, the Cairns Birdwing (O. euphorion). Another well-known species is Rajah Brooke's Birdwing (Trogonoptera brookiana), a particularly attractive species named after Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah of 19th century Sarawak.
With the exception of O. alexandrae, all birdwings are listed in Appendix II of CITES as either vulnerable or rare, and accordingly their trade is restricted in countries party to the CITES convention. However, O. alexandrae is totally protected and cannot legally be sold. This species is now known to be more common than previously thought and at the 2006 meeting of the CITES Animals Committee it was recommended that this species be relegated to CITES II, so allowing commercial exploitation of this butterfly. The birdwing butterflies can be found either in Afrak Nature reserve in Irian Jaya or in local butterfly farms.( suggested by the ministry of forestry and received immense popularity by the locals) In contradiction to the harmful practice of catching wild adult butterflies, harvesting them does not appear to have any lasting harm on the butterfly population, In fact, if carefully managed, farming can benefit conservation as it protects and enhances the natural habitat, providing employment and income to those actively involved in the business, and also controls illegal catching and trading.

This schemes provided by the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is just one of the many innovative approaches that are being instituted to help make local people comprehend how they can maintain and develop a better lifestyle without destroying the natural resources they are blessed with. Also,it provides jobs for the unemployed, so its really a lollipaloosa.




[5:38 PM]


Posted at 5:38 PM, 2 Comment(s)


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