Colorful Butterfly Valley Introduction
Location: Situated by the Hongshui River in Liugui District, the area is rich in geographical resources, connected by Provincial Highway 27甲 to County Road 131. It is divided into 11 valleys with diverse terrain and abundant native vegetation, notably teak and Taiwanese acacia. The landscape features beautiful mountains and waters along with pastoral scenery, providing an environment particularly conducive to insect reproduction. Due to the presence of teak and Taiwanese acacia, which create suitable habitats for butterfly growth, this area is considered a paradise for butterfly habitation and reproduction. The variety and number of butterflies, especially in the Caibie Valley, are nationally recognized. Caibie Valley, located along the Hongshui River in Liugui, spans 485 hectares and was designated as a "Caibie Valley Scenic Area" by the Kaohsiung County Government in 1982. Most lands within this area are state-owned forest land, primarily planted with teak and Taiwanese acacia; it is close to the Hongshuikeng settlement with a small population engaged mainly in fruit and bamboo planting. The state-owned forest land and abandoned farmland in this area are rich and diverse in native vegetation, making it suitable for butterfly habitation and reproduction. The best times to observe the common yellow butterfly are from May to July and September to October, with other butterfly species also easily observed. The Caibie Valley was once well-known for its abundance of various species of butterflies, but populations have sharply declined due to habitat destruction. Recently, with the decline of agriculture and the abandonment of farmland, the ecological environment has gradually returned to its original natural state. In recent years, there have been instances of large outbreaks of common yellow butterflies, which flutter gracefully during these periods, creating a spectacular and beautiful scene. Let us explore the mysteries of the butterfly world through Caibie Valley, appreciate the wonders of nature, understand the importance of ecological conservation, and work together to maintain this beautiful butterfly habitat as a shared asset of the earth. [Hongshui River and Hongshuikeng] The Hongshui River flows through the entire Caibie Valley, with waterfalls along the way, clear water, and beautiful scenery. It merges with the Laonong River near the Hongshuikeng settlement; due to the dark red soil near the confluence, the water turns reddish-brown when rain washes the soil into the river, hence the name "Hongshui" (Red Water). The hilly area by the river is called "Hongshuikeng," which was once inhabited by the Pingpu people. The slopes behind the settlement are gathering places for purple butterflies in winter, but due to habitat destruction, purple butterflies have seldom been seen congregating here in recent years. [Common Yellow Butterfly] Visually, the common yellow butterfly is categorized into two types: the "unmarked type" and the "silver-marked type." The early summer and autumn butterfly outbreaks usually yield unmarked individuals in the initial phase, while silver-marked types appear later; under normal climatic conditions, the total occurrence of unmarked types is greater than that of marked types. Male butterflies can often be seen gathering by the river to drink water, while females are more commonly found fluttering among tree tops laying eggs. Their larvae favor leaves of Taiwanese acacia, senna, and other plants for nourishment, and their short life cycle with high reproductive capacity allows them to rapidly produce large populations.
