Sampling Method and species identification
Sampling was carried out using a combination of aerial/butterfly net, random walk and count and Charaxes trap. Direct count of individuals were recorded along all the three zones and random walk sampling involving two individuals were employed during each visit throughout the sampling period. Four Charaxes traps (90cm in height), meant to attract alcohol-loving species or those attracted to fermenting fruits were set randomly (200m apart) to avoid bias in each zone during the sampling period (Figure1). Aerial/butterfly net was also used to capture butterflies, especially those which were not easily identifiable in flight. The net was swung swiftly around butterflies in flight. The Charaxes traps were retrieved every six days between 7:00am and 10:00am for catches and reset throughout the sampling period, complementing it with random walk and count in each zone. Trapped butterflies were killed by pinching the thorax gently, but firmly and placed in labelled envelopes for morphological identification in the lab. Butterflies were identified to species level with reference to the collection at the Entomology Museum at Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana. Floral density and diversity in each zone was visually identified and counted.