9
An update on the re-validation of species in Tamil Nadu
At the end of June 2017, we have reported 306 species
as part of revalidation exercise (Ref: Pattampoochi
Wings 1 Vein 3 for more details).
S. No
Subsequent to this, until December 2017, we have
added 3 more species taking the numbers to 309. Dur-
ing the year, a total of 11 species have been added to
the revalidation list.
One of the species (Tarucus balkanicus nigra) added to
the list is outside the 323 species, thus revising the
target checklist species to 324 from 323. Another 15
more species are yet to be revalidated from the target
list of 324.
Family
Target
Available
1 Papilionidae 19 19
2 Pieridae 32 31
3 Nymphalidae 96 91
4 Lycaenidae 92 87
5 Riodi nidae 2 2
6 Hesperiidae 83 79
324 309
Total
95%
Naturalists, Butterfly enthusiasts and others are out in field regularly to map the remaining 15 species for the state and it is
very well possible that some of them may not even occur and some new species may just expand to our area. Systematic and
regular exploration and survey of not only plains but core area of Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats will really help! It is just a
matter of time, we feel species like Nilgiri Grass Yellow, Small Long-brand Bushbrown, Long-brand Bushbrown, Palni Sailer
are spotted while the other species may continue to be elusive for some time to come.
The following table provides details of the 3 species sighted along with person who recorded it and date and place since June
2017 (the last time we have provided an update on this. The details of all of them can be found in our official Facebook page.
S. No
Species Name
Autumn Leaf
Kanara Swift
Black-spotted Pierrot
(Tarucus balkanicus nigra)
1
2
3
Person recorded
Santhosh Kshathriya
SRK Ramasamy
A Pavendhan
Place
Rajapalayam
Nilgiris
Singanallur, Coim-
batore
Date
September 2017
30.10.2017
05.11.2017
The following table provides the names of remaining 15 target species
S. No
Scientific Name
1
2
3 Eurema nilgiriensis
Amathusia phidippus
Mycalesis igilia Common Name
(as per BNHS Field guide)
Nilgiri Grass Yellow
Palmking
Small Long-brand Bushbrown Other Common Names
(as per IFB website)
4 Mycalesis visala Long-brand Bushbrown Long-branded Bushbrown
5 Lasippa viraja Yellow Jack Sailer 6 Neptis (soma) palnica Creamy Sailer 7 Anthene emolus Common Ciliate Blue 8
9 Tarucus indica
Arhopala bazaloides Pointed Pierrot
Tamil Oakblue Indian Pierrot
Dusted Oakblue
10 Arhopala abseus Aberrant Bushblue Aberrant Oakblue
11 Tajuria maculata Spotted Royal Spotted Royal
12 Hasora badra Common Awl 13 Thoressa sitala Sitala Ace 14 Zographetus ogygia Purple Spotted Flitter 15 Hyarotis microstictum/
Hyarotis coorga Brush Flitter
Sahyadri Long-branded Bushbrown
Palni Sailer
Nilgiri Plain Ace
Kodagu Brush Flitter
Text: Pavendhan A
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 2 VEINS 1
37