Note: The Role of Seasonality and Climatic Factors in Shaping the Community Composition of Mediterranean Butterflies

Although many studies indicate a relation between global warming and variation in spatial and temporal butterfly distribution, detailed studies are lacking on the importance of local climatic factors on butterfly community composition. We studied the relation between climatic factors and seasonality on butterfly community composition in a Mediterranean climate-type region. The butterfly diversity measures were mainly affected by maximum daily radiation, minimum daily relative humidity, and temperature variables. We suggest extending butterfly monitoring at Long Term Ecological Research stations in Israel, which will allow separating the effect of climatic changes and/or change in local factors on butterfly community composition.