Colorful Butterfly Valley Introduction
Location: Situated along the Hongshui Creek in Liugui District, the area is rich in geographical resources, connected by Provincial Highway 27甲 and Gaotai 131 Line. It is divided into 11 valleys with varied terrain and abundant native vegetation, primarily including teak and ironwood. The scenic beauty of the mountains and water, along with the pastoral landscape, creates an environment that is particularly suitable for insect reproduction. Due to the presence of teak and ironwood, which foster a habitat conducive to butterfly growth, this place can be regarded as a paradise for butterfly habitation and reproduction. The species and quantity of butterflies in the Colorful Butterfly Valley are nationally renowned. Located along the Hongshui Creek in Liugui Village, the valley covers an area of 485 hectares and was designated as the "Colorful Butterfly Valley Scenic Area" by the Kaohsiung County Government in 1982. Most of the land in this area consists of state-owned forest land, primarily planted with teak and ironwood; nearby is the Hongshuikeng settlement, which has a small population engaged mainly in fruit tree and bamboo cultivation. The state-owned forest and abandoned farmland in this area have rich and diverse native vegetation suitable for butterflies’ habitats and reproduction. The best time to observe the pale yellow butterfly is from May to July and September to October, when other species are also easily spotted. The valley was once well-known for its variety of butterflies, but due to habitat destruction, their numbers sharply decreased. Recently, with the decline of agriculture, many farmland areas have been abandoned, allowing the ecological environment to gradually return to its original state. In recent years, the pale yellow butterfly has experienced significant population surges, and during these periods, the butterflies dance elegantly in the air, creating a spectacular and beautiful sight. Through the Colorful Butterfly Valley, we can understand the mysteries of the butterfly world, appreciate the wonders of nature, and realize the importance of ecological conservation. Together, we can work towards maintaining this beautiful butterfly habitat, a shared asset of the Earth. [Hongshui Creek and Hongshuikeng] The Hongshui Creek runs through the entire Colorful Butterfly Valley, with continuous waterfalls, clear waters, and beautiful scenery, merging with the Laonong Creek near the Hongshuikeng settlement. The soil near the confluence is dark red, and on rainy days, soil runoff gives the creek a reddish hue, hence the name "Hongshui" (Red Water) Creek. The sloped area next to the creek is called "Hongshuikeng," which was once inhabited by the Pingpu people. The hillside behind the settlement was a winter gathering place for purple butterfly populations, but due to habitat destruction, the purple butterfly has become rarely seen in this area in recent years. [Pale Yellow Butterfly] The pale yellow butterfly is classified into two types based on appearance: "patternless" and "silver-patterned." During the butterfly population surges in early summer and autumn, the initial individuals that emerge are patternless, followed by the appearance of silver-patterned ones in the latter half; under normal climatic conditions, the total number of patternless individuals is greater than that of patterned ones. Male pale yellow butterflies are often seen clustering by the creek to drink water, while females are more commonly observed flying among tree tops to lay eggs. Their larvae feed on leaves of ironwood, cassia, and albizia, featuring a short life cycle and strong reproductive capacity, allowing them to quickly reproduce large populations in a short period.
