Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) from an urban park in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Urban forest fragments, such as parks and squares provide food resources, shelter, and favorable conditions for the maintenance of butterflies. This study provides an inventory of butterflies and observations of plants visited by adults in a small urban park, the Americo Rene Giannetti Municipal city park, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State. We sampled an area of 18.2 ha from December 2006 to December 2007 with entomological net and traps baited with fermented fruits. We recorded 165 individuals belonging to 78 species, as follows: 46 spp. of Nymphalidae; 10 spp. of Hesperiidae, seven spp. of Lycaenidae, seven spp. of Pieridae, five spp. of Riodinidae; and three species of Papilionidae. Between the plants visited the more attractive was Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), a shrub with flowers of vibrant colors and common source of nectar and pollen. The butterflies recorded show the importance of maintenance of urban green areas, providing favorable conditions for the permanence of butterflies, even in anthropic environments.