CONSERVATION STATUS OF ORNITHOPTERA CROESUS, ENDEMIC BUTTERFLY OF BACAN ISLAND, NORTH MALUKU, INDONESIA

Ornithoptera croesus is a butterfly species that is native and endemic to Bacan Island. This study aimed to update the conservation status of O. croesus in Bacan Island based on the current information on the existence, characters, habitat carrying capacity, and conservation status of the species. In this descriptive exploratory study, data were collected through survey, specimen identification, and literature review on the butterfly conservation status. The results of the analyses show that based on the government regulation (PP) No.7/1999, the conservation status of O. croesus is protected, while according to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this animal is vulnerable, and according to CITES, the status is endangered (Appendix II). This is consistent to the forest conversion and habitat fragmentation phenomena that occur in Mt. Sibela nature reserve area, O. croesus natural habitat. Given this condition, the existence of the endemic butterfly has a low species density with adequate environmental capacity in terms of food availability. Both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts should be made to increase O. croesus viability