A status on the re-validation of species in Tamil Nadu
Results of the survey: 298 species
Compilation of the data, end of December 2016, yielded 298 species for the Tamil Nadu in the re-validation process. The
family wise break up is given in the chart. Swallowtail butterflies accounting for 18, the Pierids (Whites and Yellows) account-
ing for 30, the Nymphalids- one of the bigger family accounting for 88, the blues 84, Metal marks 2 and the Skippers with 76.
Wit respect to Parnara species and Potanthus species, we have treated all of them are validated (although technically this is
not correct). This is since experts of the opinion, these are closely resembling and need dissection to find the species iden-
tity. In the event of no such visible key readily available, we have treated them as seen. The numbers with respect to these
two genus may change as we (TNBS) gain more knowledge on them.
Efforts are on to identify the missing ones by targeting specific habitats from the past experience and directions. A total of
92% of the target butterfly species have been re-validated end of this period. This exercise is a continuous process and Tamil
Nadu Butterfly Society will march on with concerted efforts to find the remaining 25 species.
S. No
Scientific Name Common Name
(as per BNHS Field guide)
1 Graphium antiphates Five-bar Swordtail
2
3
4 Eurema nilgiriensis
Appias wardii
Polyura schreiber/
Charaxes schreiber
Amathusia phidippus
Mycalesis igilia
Mycalesis visala
Argynnis hyperbius/
Argynnis castetsi
Lasippa viraja
Neptis (soma) palnica
Doleschallia bisaltide
Anthene emolus
Tarucus indica
Arhopala bazaloides
Arhopala abseus
Pratapa deva
Tajuria maculata
Creon cleobis
Hasora badra
Thoressa sitala
Suastus minutus
Salanoemia sala
Zographetus ogygia
Hyarotis microstictum/
Hyarotis coorga
Caltoris canaraica Nilgiri Grass Yellow
Lesser Albatross
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Other Common Names
(as per IFB website)
Blue Nawab
Palmking
Small Long-brand Bushbrown
Long-brand Bushbrown
Indian Fritillary
Yellow Jack Sailer
Creamy Sailer
Autumn Leaf
Common Ciliate Blue
Pointed Pierrot
Tamil Oakblue
Aberrant Bushblue
Tufted White Royal
Spotted Royal
Broadtail Royal
Common Awl
Sitala Ace
Small Palm Bob
Maculate Lancer
Purple Spotted Flitter
Sahyadri Long-branded Bushbrown
Long-branded Bushbrown
Palni Fritillary
Palni Sailer
Indian Pierrot
Dusted Oakblue
Aberrant Oakblue
Nilgiri Plain Ace
Brush Flitter Kodagu Brush Flitter
Kanara Swift Karwar Swift
What does this 298 mean?
To know that there are such a good number of species fluttering in the land of the state is a heart-warming phenomenon.
Presence of these species and its numbers indicate that the butterfly habitat is still good and intact. Interpreting this in the
context that butterflies are good indicators of a healthy eco-system, gives alarm bells a little rest. These numbers and higher
density in certain places (like Kallar and Kovai Kutralam, Anaikatti of Coimbatore), Connoor (In Nilgiris), Srivilliputtur GWLS (in
Virudhunagar), Sirumalai (in Dindigul), Saptur & Alagar Malai (in Madurai) (and many more too) actually can lead to
establishing Butterfly parks like the ones that has come up in Srirangam and one in Nilgiris District. This will, then help
disseminating and knowing the importance of butterflies to the general public and to the conservation managers alike.
Contrary to the belief, city landscapes still possess good number of species from protected woodlands and parks like our
team has observed the same from Chennai. Organised Butterfly walks and casual observation of butterflies can be a good
pass time for the city dwellers as otherwise they are deprived of such pure joys in the city life. Simple garden plants and
nectaring plants will attract butterfly automatically and is suggested to everyone to have a few specific plants which is useful
to the mankind as well as to the butterflies like Curry plant, Lime, etc.
16