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Recommendation of Papilio crino as State Butterfly
Butterflies
Butterflies are insects in the order of Lepidoptera which also includes the Moths. Butterflies have fascinated one and all from
time immemorial. Apart from being a symbol of love and freedom, they play an important role in the nature world. Butterflies
are considered indicators of a good and healthy environment system.
Brief Status of Butterflies in Tamil Nadu
Geographically, the Western, Southern and the North Western parts of Tamil Nadu are hilly and rich in vegetation. The West-
ern Ghats and the Eastern Ghats meet at the Nilgiri hills. The Western Ghats dominate the entire western border with Kerala,
effectively blocking much of the rain bearing clouds of the South West monsoon from entering the state. The Eastern parts are
fertile Coastal Plains and the Northern parts are a mix of hills and plains. The Central and the South-Central regions are arid
plains and receive less rainfall than the other regions (Source: WIKI).
It is quite natural that Tamil Nadu with its varied habitat can house maximum of species that occur in Peninsular India. The Na-
ture and Butterfly Society (TNBS) is aiming and working to systematically collect and record number of butterfly species occur-
ring in the state of Tamil Nadu in various habitats and in various times of the year. Towards this end, systematic data is being
collected for more than 7 years now mainly through personal efforts of members through Butterfly walks held in various habi-
tats.
The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) has arrived at the target list of species based on recent Field guides, on-line resources
available, direct field observations, research studies conducted in the recent time. It is possible that these lists are impacted as
and when more information of them is obtained.
S. No
Family
Target
Validated
1 Papilionidae 19 19
2 Pieridae 32 32
3 Nymphalidae 96 91
4 Riodinidae 2 2
5 Lycaenidae 92 87
6 Hesperiidae 83 80
324 311
Total
The validation process over years as explained earlier has so far brought 311 species to the validation list and with just 13 more
species to be properly seen and recorded. The TNBS and its members are confident to bring it to book these species soon. This
again confirms rich presence of butterfly species in our state!
Need for a State Butterfly Icon
The Government of India and the various states in them have state symbols. Our state of Tamil nadu has the following symbols:
Animal- Nilgiri Tahr
Bird- Emerald Dove
Flower- Gloriosa superba
Tree- Palm Tree
Purpose of such symbols indicate the importance attached by the state and the people on the need to protect the Animals,
Birds, Trees and Plants and the environment they are being part. These symbols are also unique and find place with the people,
history, literature and the social well beings.
Butterflies, being the greatest and important indicator of the environment, apart from being ecologically important and a
pleasing sight to everyone, should have a state symbol in our opinion.
Three of the states in peninsular India, Maharashtra Karnataka and Kerala have already declared state butterflies and they are
Blue Mormon, Southern Birdwing and Malabar Banded Peacock (all from Swallowtail family) respectively.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 3 VEINS 2
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