Butterfly Hotspots: Kallar (Coimbatore Dt.)
Nymphalidae
The most dominant family of butterflies here as is the case
with many places, has a representation of 53 species spanning
different sub-families. The Libythea genus is represented by
both Club Beak as well as recently recognised full species, the
Lobed Beak/Southern Beak. We usually see Club Beak of rela-
tively higher elevation, but here both are sighted although
Lobed Beak is more often seen. The Milkweed butterflies- Ti-
gers and Crows are well represented except the high elevation
species- the Nilgiri Tiger. Surprisingly, the Plain Tiger is seen
less compared to others and during peak season and their mi-
gration, many Tirumala species and Euploea species can be
seen flying around and mud-puddling. The Nawabs and Rajahs
are sighted here except the Tawny Rajah.
Among the Bushbrowns, the Glad-eye Bushbrowns occupy the
centre of attraction with others are sparingly represented. The
Bushbrowns for some reason missing for the last couple of
season from its early glories. The Common Evening Brown is
the lone representative of Melanitis genus. The rings (Ypthima
species) are well present with White Four-ring being the most
abundant among them. Extra Lascar is recorded here among
the regular Lascars and Sailers. Tamil Yeoman and Rustic can
be sighted during their season. Among the rarities, Redspot
Duke, Tamil Lacewing and Clipper are recorded. All Pansies
except Grey Pansy are recorded, so too both the Eggflies and
Blue Oakleaf. The Chocolate Pansy being the most aggressive
and dominant that it takes the unfortunate hater tag from the
butterfly chasers!
Lycaenidae
The Blues are second most dominant family here and they are generally small with many of them have a shade of blue.
Sunbeams (which have red on the upper wing especially of the males) are represented by all the three species here- Indian,
Angled and Shiva’s. However, Silverlines are rare and only a Common Silverline is sighted with Common Shot occasionally.
From the Lineblues, 6 species have been recorded here including relatively rare White-tippe d and couple of Nacaduba spe-
cies too. The Pierrots- Common, Angled and Banded Blue Pierrots and Zebra Blues can be easily sighted on their day and
Red and Striped Pierrots have not been recorded from the locality so far. All the four Grass Blues, Cupids, Hedge Blues,
Malayans and Quakers are well represented. The Lime Blues are abundant during the season with their host plants are
available in healthy numbers here. Many-tailed Oakblue which is definitely a pride of Coimbatore District and is seen in
good number of places unlike other part of the state can be seen here. The Acacia Blues- Common and Silver-streaked both
have been recorded. In fact, the Common Acacia Blue and the Yamflies have the special liking towards bamboo shoots and
can be easily spotted around them.
Nilgiri Tit. Orchid Tit. Mentioning of these names can bring excitement among butterfly lovers. Sighting of Nilgiri Tit in Sep-
tember 2014 brought much joy and excitement as the species was not seen on the field before except an image of the
same on line taken in 2005. Since then Nilgiri Tit has obtained an iconic status and many made numerous visits to have a
glimpse of the same. But being rare in nature, not everyone was lucky. The species also has its presence in Sri Lanka apart
from certain places in Western Ghats like Coimbatore Dt and Virudhunagar Dt in Tamil Nadu. Orchid Tits are very rare in
South India while it is relatively common in Northern part. They feed on epiphytic orchids and hence derive the name from
them. Kallar has these orchid plants well tucked in tall Tamarind trees. A rare Orchid Tit was reported from here in 2016
and again in September 2017. Monkey Puzzles and Planes (now Blue-bordered/ Blue-edges Plane) are other speciality
blues from here. In fact, Kallar is the best place to see the Planes. Flashes are represented by Slate and Indigo. The Judies
from Riodinidae family is totally absent here!