COLOR CHARACTERIZATION OF Ornithoptera croesus ENDEMIC BUTTERFLIES IN BACAN ISLAND NORTH MOLLUCAS, INDONESIA COMPARED TO WALLACE DESCRIPTION

Abstract

This study conducted in June-July 2015, using a survey method aimed at describing the characteristics of the body color and wing color of Ornithoptera croesus, an endemic butterfly in Bacan island, in the Sibela Mountain conservation area. Purposive sampling was used to collect data in four different areas of different height, 20 m, 200 m, 400 m, and 800 m above sea level (ASL). Specimens were analyzed qualitatively. Males and females of O. croesus have different color of bodies and wings. There are specific differences related to the female wing color at the four different height. At the altitude of 20 meter ASL, the bottom part of wings has small white golden dots, or small white yellowish golden dots. At the altitude of 200 meter ASL the entire wing surface have pale brown color. At the altitude of 400 meter ASL the wing color have small white golden dots connecting directly to the yellow golden dots, and at the altitude of 800 meter ASL there are small white dots on the front bottom wings. These findings are new informations as the supplement to the female wing color description of Wallace.