Book Introduction: Butterflies of India
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has recently released through their
BNHS Field Guides, “ Butterflies of India” authored by Isaac Kehimkar.
BNHS was founded in 1883 by 7 gentlemen interested in Natural History. A
pan-India wildlife research organization since then, has been promoting
the cause of nature conservation.
Isaac Kehimkar, the author, is the Deputy Director (Natural History). His
special interests are reptiles and amphibians, insects and plants. He has
authored many a book including his earlier work on the butterflies, The
Book of Indian Butterfly.
“This book is aimed at ama teur hobbyists to help them enjoy and identify
Indian Butterfly. The increased interest in the subject made me realize that
I need to keep this book updated with more images and more species”
These words from the author sum up the tone of the book.
From 723 species in the earlier book, the new book is expanded to include many more, and the final number of
species described in the book is at 1025 species and sub-species, which is a good thing. The family Riodinidae,
which was clubbed earlier with Lycaenidae, has been recognised as a full family. The habitat and distribution of
species seem to be refined to accommodate more areas like Andaman, etc. Technical contents on the general
aspects like Mimicry, migration, life cycle have been improved upon. More pictures have been accommodated
for species that are sexually dimorphic. And wherever possible open and closed wings.
Information such as Larval Host Plant, Behaviour, Availability of species in a year etc. which is available in the pre-
vious book is not provided this time. The new book also addresses/recognises some of the recent split of species.
The book could have attempted to address the identification of certain genus like Bushbrowns which are difficult
to identify and needs expert guidance always.
The following table provides the impact on the understanding of the species occurring in the state of Tamil Nadu
based on this book.
S. No
Scientific Name Common Name
(as per BNHS Field guide) Impact Nature
1 Graphium teredon Southern Bluebottle 2 Papilio paris tamilana Paris Peacock Sub-species of Graphium sarpedon elevated
to full species
Sub-species prominently mentioned
3 Papilio clytia Common Mime Scientific name changed
4 Pachliopta aristolochiae Common Rose Scientific name changed
5 Pachliopta pandiyana Malabar Rose Scientific name changed
6 Pachliopta hector Crimson Rose Scientific name changed
7 Lesser Albatross
Nilgiri Grass Yellow Species missing out for the region
8 Appias wardii
Eurema nilgiriensis 9 Cepora nadina remba Lesser Gull Species not figuring (also not figuring in the
previous book)
Sub-species prominently mentioned
10 Colotis aurora Plain Orange-tip Scientific name changed
11 Pareronia hippia Common Wanderer Scientific name changed
12 Pieris canidia Indian Cabbage White Species Authority corrected to Linnaeus
13 Heteropsis davisoni Palni Bushbrown Species got added
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