Shen Yihang: Is it accurate to say that "there are more than 1,300 varieties of butterflies in Yunnan as reported? Can wild butterflies be called "varieties"?

 

Original Chinese Article | Shen Yihang

Some butterfly specimens collected in Madagascar. Photography © CBCGDF - "OceanWetlands" (image irrelevant with the article)

On Saturday, 22 June 2024, a news story "Yunnan Butterfly Outbreak" hit the hot search engines.  "Group pictures" | Hundreds of millions of butterflies! Yunnan Yuanjiang Butterflies Dance in Groups", I read a report on Yunnan.com. It mentioned that from April to August every year, the dry and hot river valley in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province becomes the habitat of hundreds of millions of butterflies.

This is a very good news, but a sentence in the article caught my attention: the article mentioned that according to a person with more than 20 years of butterfly breeding experience in Yuanjiang, "there are more than 1,300 varieties of butterflies in Yunnan Province, and there are more than 600 varieties in Yuanjiang's dry and hot river valley area."

Butterflies of the "great outbreak", are they artificially bred?

What?!  The amazing "outbreak" of butterflies in the end is wild, or be artificially bred?

I immediately forwarded this article to a few friends who, after reading the reports, basically all laughed. Or angry.

"Variety" vs. "Species":

Scientific distinction, clarification of the concept

In our daily lives, we often hear the words "variety" and "species", but many people are not clear about the difference between them. In fact, "variety" and "species" are two very different concepts, and using them interchangeably can lead to misunderstandings about the classification and evolution of organisms.

"Species" is the basic unit of biological evolution, consisting of a group of natural populations that are reproductively isolated, similar in form and structure, and capable of reproducing. Species exists objectively and is the product of long-term evolution and development in nature.

"Variety" is a concept used to describe an artificially bred group of organisms. Specifically, a variety is a group of organisms formed by human beings through artificial selection and directed breeding, whose members are united in genetic traits, but without reproductive isolation. It can be said that varieties are artificially created and are an important outcome of the development of human agricultural civilisation.

In other words, the concept of "variety" is usually used to describe a specific group of plants or animals selected and bred by humans, which exhibit consistent and stable characteristics in terms of form, colour, yield, etc. Varieties are widely used in agriculture, horticulture and livestock breeding. For example, different types of rice, wheat, apples, as well as domestic dogs and cats, can be subdivided into multiple breeds.

In the above news report, it is inaccurate to say that there are "more than 1,300 butterfly varieties" and "more than 600 butterfly varieties". This is because the term "varieties" is usually used to describe groups of artificially bred organisms, whereas wild butterflies are objective existences in nature and belong to "species".

The distinction between "variety" and "species" also has important theoretical significance and practical value: Understanding the difference between "species" and "variety" is important for the accurate description and study of biodiversity. Species are the basis for the study of evolution and ecosystems in nature, while varieties are key concepts in agricultural and horticultural practices. The correct use of these two terms in scientific research and practical mass communication applications can better contribute to biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. Understanding and distinguishing between the two concepts can contribute to more effective biological research, wildlife resource management and ecological conservation, and thus to the harmonious coexistence of human beings and nature.

The Media's Biodiversity Scientific Literacy

Therefore, it's believed that the use of "varieties" to describe wild butterflies is rather inappropriate.

It's suggested that the media must be scientifically literate and use accurate terminology when reporting on biodiversity. Describing wild butterflies as "varieties" rather than "species" is not only prone to misunderstanding, but may also mislead the public's understanding of biological concepts - assuming that the butterflies in the report were artificially bred by some farming company.

Therefore, accurate reporting can help enhance the public's correct understanding of biodiversity and ecological conservation, and promote scientific research and environmental protection. The media has the responsibility to disseminate knowledge and popularise science, and must be rigorous and scientific in their verification and reporting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information.

(Note: The article only represents the author's own views, rather than the views of the platform. Welcome to leave a message, discussion.)

Editor: Samantha

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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