Some Major Events in 2016
Pachamalai – The Treasure trove
TNBS undertook a two days exploratory visit for the first of its kind on butterflies in recent times at Pachamalai Hills under the guidance of Mr. N. Satheesh, IFS, DFO, Trichy on 10 th and 11 th of September 2016. The exploratory visit was initiated based on a possibility assessment for a detailed survey of Pachamalai Hills soon. A total of 4 members participated in the two-day exercise. Surveys were conducted on forest areas, open spaces and fringes of the forests. Our heartfelt thanks are due to the DFO and Tamil Nadu Forest Department team.
On day 1, the route from Forest check post to Top Sengattupatti, Kaliamman trekking trail, and Kannimarsolai area were covered. On day 2, ECO Park areas and Kaliamman trekking trails were covered in detail.
With no expectation on the number of species expected, it is always interesting to know the results at the end. A total of 105 species for a two day exploratory visit is phenomenal.
The month of September is generally devoid of rains, and not much rain was heard recently there although on the day one, we had some rains for a brief. The hills were true to their name green. As usual the Nymphalids dominated, followed by Blues, Pierids, Skippers and Swallowtails.
Butterflies, in general, are seen in plenty and a fairly good number of species too both in Reserved Forests and Open areas. The Reserve forests housed of rarity species while the open areas were dominated by common species. Certain species which are usually thought to be present predominantly or exclusively in Western Ghats( according to certain standard literature) are present in this Eastern Ghats range like White-banded Awl, Glad-eye Bushbrown and Banded Blue Pierrot Most dominating species are Common Mormon, Common Banded Peacock, Blue Mormon, Common Grass Yellow, Small Grass Yellow, Common Emigrant, Common Crow, Dark Blue Tiger, Rustic, Castors, Grass Blues and Indian Skipper.
Rarities like Dark Pierrot, Peacock Royal, Redspot, and Plumbeous Silverline are sighted.
Papilionidae: All the dominant swallowtails were flying around including the Roses( Common & Crimson). While Mormons and Banded Peacocks were the most visible, the Southern Birdwing was just sighted once. Pieridae: Grass Yellows were the dominant and surprisingly a significant of them is Small GY. Common Albatross and Wanderer species were the other easy to sight along with the ever dominant Emigrants. Nymphalidae: Most number of species of this family was seen. Common Crows were seen accumulating in the RF in significant numbers, probably getting ready for the month end migration along with Tirumala species. Other dominant species were the Castors, Ypthima and Rustics. Lycaenidae: Blues were the second most dominant family here. Dark Pierrot, which is a rarity, is seen here. Peacock Royals too were seen which again not a common sight is. Yamfly species was truly in good numbers which is a joy to watch generally. On the Grass Blues, except Dark, others were seen. The Malayan seen here was significantly larger in size compared to the ones which are seen in the Western Ghats. Hesperiidae: A total of 15 species were sighted. The Malabar Spotted Flats were dominating the lower elevation while the Indian Skipper the plains and the Common Small Flat and the Awls on the Reserved Forests. Borbo species were seen too often. The habitat is amazing and the varied( considering significant land mass is used by tribals), rare and good number of species indicates that the environment is healthy.
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