Sampling performance of bait traps in high Andean fruit-feeding butterflies

Studies on model organisms such as butterflies are useful tools for conservation decision-making. However, in tropical ecosystems with an intrinsic high diversity a full understanding of biotic communities is difficult to obtain. Bait trap samplings have traditionally been used community appraisals related ecological and issues. Nonetheless, the Andes Mountains, there little knowledge effectiveness bait traps butterfly sampling. In this study, we tested success fermented fruits rotten fish baits sampling four land-cover types (páramo, cloud forests, mixed, pasture) upper Rio Chico basin northern Central Cordillera Colombian Andes. A survey was conducted between 2011 2014, elevation range 2650 3300 masl, within total 132 field days. Three units each land cover were established standard Van Someren-Rydon (VSR) per unit. Traps baited alternatively carrion (rotten fish). All 57 recorded species captured using fish, while approximately 65% (37 species) collected from fruit. Moreover, richness higher all sampled covers bait, but dominant differed baits. The proved be highly effective páramo forest, although combination banana allowed collection data suitable comparison among studied cover.