The TEAM Network butterfly protocol allows scientists to sample butterfly species, both in the canopy and in the understory. This protocol provides data that adds to our understanding of butterfly species distributions and community dynamics.

Recently, at the TEAM Volcan Barva site in Costa Rica, two species, representing new records for the La Selva Biological Station, were discovered by TEAM scientists: Cissia pseudoconfusa and Temenis laothoe hondurensis.

La Selva Biological Station is known for its butterfly species diversity, with more than twice the number of fruit feeding butterfly species than the entire United States. Despite more than forty years of research at La Selva Biological Station, scientists are still discovering new species.

Both of the species newly recorded are found in Central America, but until now, had never been recorded at La Selva. TEAM scientists found these two species earlier this year. The initial butterfly identification was confirmed by the butterfly specialists at the Costa Rican National Institute of Biodiversity.

Both of these butterflies were collected from forest canopy traps, raised high in the canopy on ropes. Tropical forest canopies, or the crowns of trees that make up the top of a forest, can be anywhere from thirty to sixty meters tall. Because it is difficult to access these heights, little is known about the butterfly communities that live in the forest canopy. The TEAM butterfly protocol uses bananas to lure butterflies into traps that are hanging in the forest canopy and understory. After identification, butterflies are usually released.

This method allows scientists to examine butterfly species that otherwise might not be studied. TEAM Network scientists continue to add to our understanding of species distributions. Further research will help us understand the implications for these new findings. Could climate change be causing these species to shift their ranges? Are these species potentially invasive? Or is TEAM providing access to a previously under-studied part of the forest?