It's always a delight to spot butterflies, not just for their aesthetic value, but also because we know they are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. But even for these gentle Lepidoptera, threats abound, impacting their survival. Habitat change, development, climate change, widespread pesticide use, and invasive species are just some of the threats they face, because of both direct and indirect impacts on native host plants. In Malaysia, Dr Rosli Omar, a naturalist and wildlife photographer took part in two surveys on butterflies - one in Batu Caves back in 2019, and more recently, one in Bukit Dinding in Wangsa Maju, KL. Dr Rosli has also published a book called Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, with a checklist of Scientific, English and Malay names. He joins us to share more about his discoveries and observations of butterfly species in Malaysia through such surveys, and his recommendations or actions to protect remaining species.

Image Credit: Omar, R., Aziz, A.A. & Badrud’din, S. (2023). Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia: with a checklist of Scientific, English and Malay names. Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia