My family-run, home-based travel agency’s name is TROJANA World Travel. I love butterflies, so I named the agency after the magnificent birdwing butterfly, the Trogonoptera trojana, found only in Palawan and nowhere else in the world.
After ten years of existence, I have noticed that my agency’s name still has a poor recall among my regular passengers, consolidators, and airline staff. Likewise, in Palawan, when you mention the name Trojana, it does not ring a bell at all even to the locals despite this butterfly being in the midst of their existence for hundreds of years. Only a handful of people, like those who live in the forest areas, know the Trojana very well—although when I ask them if they have heard of the birdwing, they would give me a cautious look and choose to remain mum. But if you nudge them a little more, start being comical, or sound curious but seemingly uninterested, or maybe take their photos for a souvenir shot, they will soon finally start to share and show some specimens of their favorite butterfly catch. Catching Trojana butterflies is a source of livelihood for these mountain folks. They have been trained by butterfly traders on how to easily catch them in the wild, and how to preserve the fragile specimens with chemicals and neatly wrap them in wax paper ready for turnover. They have also been taught to keep silent about their trade.
The Trogonoptera trojana is one of the largest and most beautiful of the birdwing butterflies. It has a wide wingspan (15cm.), soars very high, and flies long distances. It also has a very strong similarity to Malaysia’s Trogonoptera brookiana. Because of its beauty and size, the Trojana is a highly priced butterfly and is very much in demand among foreign collectors, traders, and exporters supplying butterfly houses all over the world. This is unfortunately why the Trojana is in the protected species list of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
It should be another icon of Palawan, similar to the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, But as the motto of the International Lepidoptera Society goes, “You cannot protect that which you do not know.” Over-collection and habitat destruction are the two major threats facing Trojana butterflies. Overgrazing, indiscriminate clearing, slash and burn (kaingin), introduction of exotic plant/tree species that are not host to the local wildlife, land conversions for housing and agriculture, and misguided eco-tourism projects that happen inside our remaining forests can create irreversible consequences. With butterflies, the disappearance of the larval food plants as well as the nectar sources for the adult butterfly can lead to the extinction of the species. The loss of butterflies can indicate that thousands of other smaller wildlife and organisms may be suffering the same fate.
According to the local folks, the Trojana used to congregate in large numbers along the riverbanks to drink. Children used to catch them by the hundreds. Now, in a river where they usually congregate, one is lucky to see even one Trojana drinking.
In Mt. Salakot in Puerto Princesa, a portion of the forest had been cleared to build a resort (now dilapidated) and a road to the military camp. As someone familiar with the Trojana traverses the road, numerous very old Aristolochia foveolota vines, the larval host of the species, could be seen cut down. Stumps of the old vines can also be found near the Salakot Waterfalls. Why were they cut down? It is simply because people don’t know.
It is ironic that even in tree planting activities in the wild, a great portion of the undergrowth is cleared. People need to be aware that the vegetation around and under the trees are hosts to a thousand species of insects. As a matter of fact, more than half of the animal kingdom depends on the lower vegetation.
Learning about the relationship of caterpillars (the larva, the immature butterfly) with trees, plants and grass is learning about ecology, about biodiversity and about the relationship of all life forms.
The butterfly man of Palawan, Roy Rodriguez, who has been familiar with the birdwing since he was a young boy, trains the locals who live in the forests how to “ranch” the Trojana. The idea is to continuously plant the larval host plants (from seeds or cuttings) to keep the cycle of the butterfly’s life going. After a period of time, they can catch the adults but leave enough parental species to reproduce in the wild. They earn from “ranching” the birdwings and at the same time they also become the protectors of the habitat.
I go butterfly watching with a friend every year in Palawan. Butterfly watching has not gained popularity among nature lovers yet. The butterflies’ predators have more following. Birdwatching is fast becoming a favorite nature activity among locals who have learned to appreciate and care for the environment because of the beauty of our birds. Likewise, butterfly watching can be a means to introduce to nature enthusiasts the wonderful, colorful world of butterflies and their role in our ecosystem. Butterflies are not only important for their aesthetic and economic value; they act as environmental barometers by telling us if the air we breathe is safe or not, and if the health of our forests are in peril. The beautiful Trojana, the Creator’s gift to Palawan, can be a tool for nature advocacy.
It would be wonderful if in our next visit to Palawan, the good Mayor of Puerto Princesa, will be wearing a shirt with the image of the magnificent birdwing, the Trogonoptera trojana, close to his heart.
[Photo credits: Lydia Robledo]
Very informative article Ate Lyds! Now I really want to go to Palawan and Butterfly watch and Birdwatch at the same time. Hopefully the locals will appreciate how this ranching can be sustainable in the long run and not be greedy and affect the gene pool of this species, if it hasn’t yet.
Hi Neon,
Yes, Neon. Palawan is a paradise for birds and butterflies. There’s nothing like photographing our own species. I have all the opportunities to butterfly watch in another country that can guarantee lots of finds, but it is such a delight to discover that the remnants of our forests still yield some butterflies. Let it be a challenge for us to save these habitats by using photographs to make people aware of our natural treasures.
Keep watching, Neon!
te lyd
Hi Ms. Robledo,
Thanks for your information on Trojana. This is the first time I’ve heard about it (ignorante kasi). Your story is sad and it reflects on how Pinoys treat their environment in where they live and derive their needs. I’m very interested in learning about butterflies in the Philippines especially how to rear them. I plan to rear them on what little vacant space I have in the farm. Thank you once again and more power.
Asphodel
Thank you for your comment Asphodel (Mr?)
Butterfly gardening is one way of rearing butterflies, as a matter of fact, it is one of the best ways. If you already have good vegetation around you, take inventory of what butterflies you see. Observe and watch their habits. You will discover which plants they associate with. Remember, most butterflies feed on nectar, from flower blooms. The female will lay her egg on a preferred host plant. These two kinds of plants, you grow – the nectar providing plants and the host plant which is food to the young butterfly, the caterpillar. Each species of butterfly has a larval host plant counterpart. So if you have 10 species of butterflies in your garden, most likely you have 10 host plants in the surrounding area. I guess that is the easiest way to rear them.
Keep watching and caring for the Philippine butterflies!
Lydia
Hi,
I have came across with your beautiful blog, I hope you could sent some of the images you have. I am searching for some uniques images which I can put in my website, I am planning to do a make over on my website, and in return i will place a link for your blog.
I love the image of birdwing butterfly.
Thanks.
By the way, the origin of my family is from south of philippines maybe we share the same family tree.
Thanks
Jover V. Robledo
hello ms. lydia,,
i am retch from puerto princesa city, palawan. I came across your blog while doing some sort of research. it is really interesting for me because me and my friends are doing a research in Mt. Salakot, as our college thesis.. I am not sure if what i saw in Mt. Salakot is a Trojana, because i am not familiar with the species, but i must say that there really are many butterflies in the area. I wish to have contact with you because we can site your study in our research. The butterflies play an important role in the ecosystem, of course, aside from its magnificent beauty.. I love butterflies too.. and i wish i could help in conservation acitivities, if there are any… thank you for your blog.. i gained information from it…
more power!!!
Yes Retchie, there are lots of birdwings in Mt. Salakot. I have not been to the area for 3 years now. I hope that the vegetation has grown back. I have seen slash and burn activities behind the facade of trees. I am happy, too, that the Mt. Salakot Waterfalls
Resort did not materialize. I really believe that our rivers and waterfalls should be made accessible to everyone minus the landscaping. As a matter of fact, I sincerely believe that the best thing that can happen to a forest is neglect. 😀 In the Philippine situation, our forest lands should have rest so that it will be able to regenerate.
Thank you for your interest.
Lydia
this butterfly is also fund in Bgy. Magara, Roxas, Palawan with this and the local of this insect is ALIBANGBANG thats why the Community of Magara will celebrate ist 1ast alibangbang festival on the of feb.17-22, 2009 if you want to witness the activity you r corjaly invited to witness # 09074095801
for more info
lydia,
Hi mam. Still remeber me? Im the one you’ve met in alibangbang festival at magara, roxas, palawan last february. I visited palawan many times because of butterflies. I wish i could help you in continuing the advocay of conservation of butterflies not only in palawan. Ive been studying the habitat of the Trogonoptera trojana since the first time i went to palawn. As a butterfly breeder, im very strict in propagation of host plant to conserve this kind of specie and others. You may contact me at 09282220853. Thanks and more power.
leslie
Hi leslie john. I am really interested in T. Trojana. Wishin I would exchange email with you about the specie because there arent enough studies in the web and we are concerned to its conservation. Tnx
Trisha
I am very interested in helping with the efforts at conserving this and other endangered species. I am very interested in trying my hand at growing Aristolochia foveolata vines in my garden here in Los Angeles (California, USA) and studying them – the warm climate here is favorable to many tropical plant species so long as adequate water is supplied.
Do you happen to know where I can get either plants or seeds of Aristolochia foveolata?
More power to you!
JAY
Today I planted seeds of Aristolochia tagala in my Los Angeles garden . . . I’m wondering about the possibility of raising the Palawan birdwing here on a small scale (our climate is very warm here).
J
Hi Jay.
Thank you for your interest.
The Palawan birdwing is endemic to Palawan- meaning it is not found elsewhere in the world except in Palawan. To breed them outside the island can have adverse consequences. First, it will lose its endemicity, it will no longer be unique to the island- to the Philippines. Second, it can be a predator to other species (maybe not in its adult stage but in its larval stage) especially the plants. And this goes also for the host plant. It blows my mind why the seeds are being brought out of the country, too. The plant is also endemic. There was a time when a plant was brought in the USA from Brazil and it was very invasive that it affected the local plants. Palm trees that were brought in the Philippines from other countries carry with them some kind of beetle that if not monitored can wipe out the whole coconut industry. You will have to look into the species that you have in your area and just focus on those.
There is an organization called CITES that monitors endangered species and the Trojana is included. The best thing for these species is to leave their habitat alone. I think wildlife do not need our help unless they are threatened with habitat destruction.
Please go this site: http://www.arocha.org
You will learn a lot about environmental stewardship here.
Very soon, we will be setting up its Philippine chapter.
Maybe you can support the projects.
Go out in the wild. Observe. Lots of wisdom there.
My friend in Quebec, Canada would like to exhibit the Trogonoptera trojana sometime in June 2010 and is inquiring as to whether or not it is possible to obtain about 20-30 pcs pupae. He is a Biologist and has connections with the Quebec Zoo. This is just for special exhibitition purposes only.
Thank you.
The Trogonoptera trojana is endemic to the island of Palawan. It is not found elsewhere in the world. To export live pupae is not only threatening the lost of endemicity of a natural treasure but also can cause a grave threat to another country as predator species. The seeds of the host plant of the Trogonoptera trojana is openly being sold in the market outside of Palawan, outside of our country. This can mean only one thing, that some people outside the Philippines are already breeding them. This is very irresponsible of our guardians at the exit ports. Most do not know the consequences of being lax with issuing permits. We should be in the business of protecting our environment and not be motivated by the fees gathered from issuing permits. It is better to display the photographs of this endemic species and not bring the live ones out of the country. Let us protect our beautiful butterflies by enjoying and caring for them in their natural habitats before showcasing them in other countries.
Let the the endemic species not leave their home.
Lets please do something for April 22 Earth day to increase awareness and concern for the dwindling dipterocarps of the philippines
I am making tshirts with a picture of trojana and will ask the mayor to wear it. I think he will do it for me.
Lydia – do you have a high resolution photo of the trojana resting? I like the “resting” poses better than the pinned ones. Anyway, do you have an image I can use for the tshirts?
good eve there i want to buy trojana pls txt me 09169757791
im tezah zulueta…
Hello,
I work at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. The first image of the two Trogonoptera trojana’s would work well for a project in our Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. Could you please advise on the possibility of us using this image on an electronic label in our gallery? If possible, could we get a hi-res version, preferably 1024 x768 or higher?
We would not be selling, reproducing, etc this image. We are a non-profit museum and it is for educational purposes. We do give credit to the photographers whose images we use.
The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity explores our world’s biodiversity and is one of our most popular galleries in our museum. The content within the gallery reflects three major themes, “Life is Diverse”, “Life is Interconnected” and “Life is in Crisis”.
If you require further information, please email at the address below.
Thank you,
Lise Sorokopud
Digital Assets Coordinator
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON
lises[at]rom.on.ca
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today..
rajah birdwing of palawan
I am going to Daluyon, on the west coast on Palawan next week (Jan 16th). Is there anywhere near there where I might see Trogonoptera? It has been a childhood dream for nearlly 70 years…
Hi author, If you would please, see I have here a research paper going on to me and the main focus is Trogonoptera trojana and I wanted to know more about this amazing butterfly that is only located here in Palawan. Btw I am from Palawan also. I am wondering why there’s a little study about this and I frantically need some help with an expert. Thank u in advance😊