Birds & Butterflies Survey– Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary
Detailed Observation- Butterflies
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On an overall count, 140 species of butterflies from 5 families were recorded during the survey comprising all ranges, hab-
itation and elevation
This number can be taken as a very good base, since we have no prior survey information of the hills, of this scale. Also,
considering the month of August, which is not a peak butterfly activity month, coupled with not so good weather pre-
vailed during the survey days, this is an excellent count
Good number of common species and count is observed from low to medium elevation ranges, while certain rarities
showed up on the mid-elevation and the higher elevation returned specialities of their range. A few groups of butterflies
were however seen missing in total or in numbers in various locations.
Nymphalidae dominated the species count, followed by Lycaenidae and Pieridae (mainly due to species count from lower
elevations) and joined by Hesperiidae and Papilionidae.
Most dominating species are Dingy Scrub Hopper, Palni Fritillary, Indian Cabbage White, Common Bluebottle, Red Helen
and Nilgiri Clouded Yellow in the upper hills of higher elevation places.
• Papilionidae: 13 out of 19 swallowtails
were recorded with all butterflies with
common name of Malabar missing. The
higher elevation saw plenty of Southern
Bluebottle, Red Helen, Southern Birdwing
and Blue Mormon. Surprisingly commonly
seen Swallowtails were missing in the high-
er elevation while lower and middle saw all
the dominant swallowtails including the
Jays and Bluebottles, Roses (Common &
Crimson) and the Common Mormons.
Good sightings include Common Mime and
Spot Swordtail.
• Pieridae: 24 out of 32 Pieridae species
were recorded which is a good species
count thanks to the lower elevations where
tips and arabs dominated. On the higher elevation, Nilgiri Clouded Yellow, Grass Yellows and Indian Cabbage Whites were
seen. A lone Emigrant is sighted in the higher elevation, which is very surprising considering mass generation of them dur-
ing April-June period where they were seen migration within hills in lakhs and eventually to the plains. The lower to medi-
um returned all the expected species. Prominent to miss out are Puffins, Chocolate Albatross and Painted Sawtooth. The
rarity tag easily goes to Nilgiri Clouded Yellow, Indian Cabbage White and Lesser Gull.