Guanwu Broad-tailed Swallowtail Major Wildlife Habitat

Guanwu is a protected woodland habitat in Hsinchu County where mountain terrain and mixed vegetation create the conditions needed for broad-tailed swallowtail butterflies. The site preserves Sassafras randaiense trees, which are the only plants that butterfly larvae feed on and depend on to survive.

The site was established in October 2000 as Taiwan's first dedicated conservation area for an insect species, marking a turning point in the nation's approach to biodiversity protection. This designation came after the butterfly's discovery in 1932, bringing official protection to a species that had long remained overlooked.

The broad-tailed swallowtail butterfly holds significance in Taiwan's natural heritage, discovered in 1932 along Wumaozih riverside in Yilan County.

Access to the habitat is limited due to strict conservation rules that protect both the butterflies and their food plants. Check in advance about which areas visitors can enter and stick to marked routes to avoid disturbing the fragile forest environment.

Female butterflies at this site have larger bodies than males and develop wingspans of about 10 centimeters. They are most active from April through August when forest conditions favor their emergence and feeding.