Citizen Science Reveals Lepidopteran-Visitor Flower Network in Metro Manila, Philippines: A Preliminary Study
Urban environments often harbor diverse pollinator assemblages, yet Lepidopteran-mediated pollination in tropical cities remains poorly documented. This preliminary study utilized research-grade iNaturalist observations (2015-2025) to construct a Lepidopteran visitor-flower network in Metro Manila, Philippines. A total of 126 validated records captured 38 lepidopteran taxa and 49 flowering plant taxa, predominantly exotic ornamentals and weedy species. Bipartite network analysis revealed a generalized interaction structure, with several butterfly species (Papilio demoleus, Leptosia nina, Ypthima stellera) and plants (Tridax procumbens, Lantana camara, Ixora spp.) serving as central hubs. Flower color-visitor heatmap indicated strong preferences for white, yellow, and pink flowers, while rare taxa demonstrated sporadic, low-frequency interactions. Notably, new nectar associations were documented for the endemic butterflies Pareronia boebera, Troides rhadamantus, and Ypthima stellera, highlighting the ecological role of cultivated and ruderal plants in sustaining endemic Lepidoptera within urban habitats. While opportunistic citizen science data are subject to spatial, temporal, and observer biases, they provide a cost-effective means of uncovering otherwise undocumented interactions, generating baseline insights, and informing urban pollinator conservation. These findings demonstrate the potential of integrating citizen science with ecological network analysis to characterize Lepidopteran-plant interactions and guide biodiversity-friendly urban planning in the city.