Malesian Butterflies
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Malesian Butterflies
Pachliopta kotzebuea (Eschscholtz, 1821)

CONSERVATION

IUCN Redlist category
Least Concern (IUCN 2020)

Rationale for redlist categorization
Pachliopta kotzebuea has been assessed as Least Concern. This species has a relatively wide range across the Philippines with an estimated extent of occurrence of 653,000 km2. Although deforestation may be affecting the species, there is no evidence to suggest that this is a major threat at present. Conservation measures are suggested to ensure that forest-dependent species of the Philippines, such as this species, receive greater protection. (IUCN 2020)

Threat category
Ecosystem conversion,Species disturbance (IUCN 2020)

Cause of stress
Agro-industry farming,Housing & urban areas,Unintentional effects (species is not the target) (IUCN 2020)

Described Threats
The major threat facing this species is deforestation of the rainforests in the Philippines. Between 1977 and 1990, forest coverage in Luzon had decreased by around 48%, with 45% of it turning into paddy fields for the cultivation of rice (Geospatial World 2009). Deforestation continues at a worrying rate and even land protected in protected areas is not safe from urbanisation to fit the constantly growing population (WWF 2018d). By the end of the 19th century large areas of the Philippines had already been deforested for agriculture, and in the 20th century large-scale logging began, which severely affected primary lowland dipterocarp forests, where this species is likely found (BirdLife International 2018). This deforestation is likely to impact the host plant, Aristolochia tagala , meaning the population of this species also decreases. The host plant is also thought to suffer from exploitation by humans as it is thought to treat snake bites and malaria, and is now considered rare by many sources, in parts of its range (for example Bai et al. 2013). There is no information on the status of A tagala in the Philippines. (IUCN 2020)

Commercial use
A specimen of this species can be found for sale online at 'Insect Designs' for AU$2.64, and another on Etsy for £23.55. However, further trade data is unavailable. (IUCN 2020)

Kind of conservation needed
Resource & habitat protection,Site/area protection,Habitat & natural process restoration,National level (IUCN 2020)

Applied conservation actions
In their 1985 assessment of the status of the world's swallowtails. Collins and Morris considered this species not threatened. Much of the remaining rainforest in the Philippines is covered by protected areas, for example the Mount Pulang National Park, found in Luzon where this species is found. It is important moving forward that more effective protection of rainforest occurs to prevent the constant encroachment by farmland (BirdLife International 2018). This may be achieved if farmers are given greater control over the land they occupy and given access to better farming methods, so that they can use the same land for longer before the soil becomes infertile (BirdLife International 2018). A properly-enforced immediate and total ban on logging throughout the Philippines may be a necessary step to protect the rainforest, as well as a clear national policy making habitat management the central target and promoting reforestation using native species (BirdLife International 2018). Monitoring of populations is recommended to assess the impacts of threats and remedial conservation actions. (IUCN 2020)

REFERENCES

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