Lepidopterans were surveyed in five areas within the University of the Philippines Diliman campus (see highlighted portions in map). Selection of the sampling sites considered the presence of flowering vegetation, minimal structural obstacles, and land use. Survey method included visual identification, photographic or video vouchers, voucher specimens, or a combination thereof. Each site visit lasted for a period of two hours, preferably between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Date, time and weather conditions in each visit were noted. For each site, there were at least 20 hours of data collection (=10 visits). Collection materials included aerial nets (see picture), KCN sacrifice jars, and tags. Aerial nets are cone – shaped meshes with an opening reinforced by a circular steel rod. The mesh is attached to a rattan pole. Sacrifice jars contain a noxious substance KCN. Preparation of the jars is described below. Tags are white sheets of paper where the samples would be stored. Post–collection processing materials are boxes and spreading boards (Lastufka, 2001).

Representative lepidopterans were captured using aerial nets. A single voucher specimen is enough to verify a species’ presence in a particular site. Voucher specimens were identified by consultation with experts and available literature. Collected lepidopteran samples were killed using sacrifice bottles. After which, the samples were slid into envelopes or paper triangles with their wings over their backs (papering).

The lepidopteran specimens were temporarily stored in boxes with naphthalene balls and dessicant. Storage conditions were under low humidity, refrigerated settings. Voucher specimens for mounting were relaxed by rehydration (see picture) with steam to facilitate the spreading (see picture) of the wings. After the wings are spread, the specimens were mounted and kept in tightly closed containers with moth balls to prevent dermestid beetle larvae and book lice from feeding on the body parts. To maintain low moisture conditions and thus, prevent mold from growing on the specimen’s body, silica gel were also introduced in the storage containers. The specimens were kept out of direct sunlight to avoid fading of colors. Mounting of voucher specimens is described here.

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The sampling location for the study, The University of the Philippines–Diliman, is a 493 hectare campus in the middle of Quezon City (University of the Philippines–Diliman, 2002.). The campus is home to about 38,569 plants comprising 192 different species. The property includes a 16 hectare man-made forest, the UP Arboretum, which houses 77 plant species, the most predominant being Bauhinia sp., Erythrina sp., Leucaena sp., Pithecellobium dulce, Tectona grandis, and Triplaris cumingiana (Abadingo et al., 2002; Sotalbo, 2001).

The five sites surveyed were:

• UP Arboretum - 1 2 3 4 5
• Quirino Avenue (including Kamia-Sampaguita Residence Halls, Science Pavilions, Palma Hall) - 1 2 3 4
• Science Park - 1 2 3 4
• UP Lagoon - 1 2 3 4
• Hardin ng Rosas - 1 2 3 4 5 6

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The following was taken from Ehrlich (1961) and Klots (1951):

Use wide-mouth, shallow, heavy glass jars. Place 1/4 to 3/4 inch layer of potassium cyanide lumps in the bottom of the jar. Cover this with an inch of fine, thoroughly dried sawdust. Then, pour 1/4 to 1/2 inch of plaster of Paris. Leave the jar open until the plaster completely dries. Cyanide jars are potent for a few years. Revitalize the weak sacrifice jars by adding a few drops of water.

Potassium cyanide is deadly compound. Its fumes are lethal in any quantity. The sacrifice bottle should, therefore, be handled with caution. Prepare the sacrifice bottle in a well-ventilated area. Wrap the bottle from the bottom to the level of the plaster with adhesive tape. Label the bottle very plainly with “CYANIDE - POISON.”

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From the field a specimen is temporarily placed in between a folded sheet of paper for storage. The sheet shows pertinent data about the specimen. Below is an illustration of the proper way of folding the paper (Ehrlich 1961).

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The following was taken from Ehrlich (1961) and Klots (1951):

A spreading board (see picture) is necessary in the preparation of the specimens. The sidepieces are slightly slanted upward to compensate for the tendency of lepidopterans to have their wings drooping after removing from the board.

Two soft woods are used as the sidepieces. The base can be any piece of scrap wood. Two paper strips are used to hold the wings into position. All pins are inserted through the paper strips and into the board straight down at first then slanted away from the lepidopteran.

It is necessary to have at least three spreading boards with different width for the central groove. Small specimens are mounted to a spreading board with 3/16-inch central groove, medium at 1/4 inch and large at 5/8 inch.

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