Abstract METAMORPHOSIS September 2000 Occasional Supplement Number 4

Title

PRELIMINARY SURVEY ON BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS AND THEIR HABITATS IN TWO KAYA FORESTS OF THE KENYA COAST

Authors

Lehmann Ingo

And

Kioko Esther

ABSTRACT:

The forest stratification, plant, butterfly and larger moth diversity of Kaya Muhaka and Kaya Kinondo (Kenya, Coast, Kwale District) are described. Both Kayas have old secondary forest patches and are certainly not unmodified relicts. The Lepidoptera fauna includes species not previously recorded form Kenya or from coastal Kenya and was diverse in Kaya Muhaka. The Shimba Hills were found to be the potential source area for the butterfly faunas of both Kayas. Together, all three areas support c. 30% of the total Kenyan butterfly fauna; 23% are coastal endemics and only 1.6% of species have a central western Africa distribution. In contrast, for example 18-21% of plant species with a central and western Africa (Guineo-Congolian) distribution occur in Kaya Muhaka. Butterfly conservation priority is recommended for all habitats in the Shimba Hills and for nearby coastal forests.