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Birds & Butterflies Survey at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Results & Analysis (only Butterflies)
Among the total number of
150 butterflies recorded, 11 belong to Swallowtails (Papilionidae), 21 belong to the Whites and
yellows (Pieridae), 50 belong to the Nymphalidae family, 45 belongs
to blues and judies (Lycaenidae and Riodinidae) and 23 to the Skip-
pers (Hesperiidae).
Butterflies such as White Four-ring, Common Jezebel, Roses, Pan-
sies, Orange-tips are seen dominating in all ranges of the forest divi-
sion during survey. The dominant families are Nymphalidae fol-
lowed by Lycaenidae. For the habitat surveyed, Pieridae species in
proportion were well represented. Papilionidae and Hesperiidae
species were not represented to the expectation. Among Swallow-
tails, Common Roses and Crimson Roses are very prominent in all
places, while most other species within this family was less in num-
ber. Common Banded Peacock, Red Helen and Blue Mormon were
the species to note while Common Mormon, Lime Butterflies and
Jays and Bluebottles were not prominent although present.
Significant landmass of the STR is a scrub jungle which could well explain the reason why the Pierids were seen in large num-
bers in all camps. Common Jezebel is well thriving and is seen in almost all season while Emigrants have an off-season with just
a few representations. The Orange-tips and Arabs were represented by all that is possible with White and Yellow Orange-tips
are the most dominant. Gulls and Pioneers too are visibly seen, while others such as Psyche, Wanderers and Albatrosses too
are seen in less numbers. The Dark Wanderer has not occurred in any of the camps. Nymphalidae were the family found in
maximum species count. Except a few places where Blue Tigers and Crows were seen in congregation, the Danainae subfamily
was surprisingly absent in many ranges in good numbers, which indicate that the post-migration congregation could well be
much away from STR. Pansies, especially Lemon and Chocolate and other pansies except the Grey Pansy were sighted across
the reserve in good numbers. However, the most dominating species across all ranges should go to the White Four-ring, which
is easy seen in thousands, indicating their host plants (grasses) and their habitat is intact.
A rare Ypthima singala (Sinhalese Five-ring), from Nymphalidae family, was reported from Thengumarahatta, Thalamalai,
Dimbum and Basavanapuram. This is just a second sighting from the state and augers well for the species as STR is already a
reserved forest; however, a detailed study on the species is to be made to ensure that the species is well protected. Other
notable species include Blue Oakleaf, Blue Admiral, Commander, Nawabs and Baronet.
Blues (Lycaenidae) were the second dominant family by no of species recorded and species such as Oriental Grass Jewels,
Grass Blues, Pea Blues, Zebra Blues, Cupids, Pierrots, Royals and Flashes. Species of importance include Monkey Puzzle, Cornel-
ian, Redspot, Yamfly and Guava Blue.
Skippers, although has a significant share on the state checklist, they are always found less in numbers due to their crepuscular
nature and added to this, the first day of survey was cloudy making the sighting very less compared to other families in propor-
tion. Significant sightings include Golden Angle, Common Spotted Flat, Malabar Spotted Flat and Tricolored Pied Flat.
The species count of 150 is very significant and healthy for a December month and we believe when the months of June, Oct
and Nov are surveyed, will show the full potential of STR.
Acknowledgement
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the CCF & FD, Dr. V. Naganathan, IFS, STR for his permission, guidance
and direction and to Mr. P.G. Arun Lal, IFS, District Forest Officer & Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam Division, STR for the
planning and directions to the execution. Our thanks are also due to Mr. Kumili Venkata Appala Naidu, DFO, Hasanur Division
for his guidance. Our sincere thanks are also due to all the Forest Range Officers of 7 Ranges, for the range level coordination
and execution and deputing personal to accompany the survey team. This study is incomplete without the micro level plan-
ning, co-ordination and help by the Biologist, Mr. C. Sakthivel, STR and Dr. Kannan, Biologist, Erode FD. Our sincere thanks to
them too. The field level staff, who accompanied the teams took meticulous care in the execution of the study and provided
all logical support including food. Our sincere thanks to all of them.
We thank all TNBS members who helped in the planning and execution and they are Mr. Pavendhan A, Mr. Gopalakrishnan S,
Mr. Prakash Loganathan, Mr. Viswanathan S, Mr. Theivaprakasham H, Mr. Balakrishnan R, Mr. CV Nishanth and Mr. Rama-
nasaran H. We thank all the 77 participants from the state of TN (from The Nilgiris, Chennai, Erode, Salem, Madurai, Trichy,
Rajapalayam, Coimbatore, etc.) and from Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Maharashtra and West Bengal.
Narration : Pavendhan A
Pictures credit: Survey Participants
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
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