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Summer Butterfly Study at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
It could be seen from the above table that a total of 113 species were sighted during the study with representation from all of
6 families. The Hesperiidae family (Skippers) were represented very poorly. The dominant families are Nymphalidae and Lycae-
nidae. For the habitat surveyed, Pieridae species were well represented in most Ranges. Papilionidae species were reasonably
represented too.
The current exercise is to know the full potential of STR, and we were able to add 18 species to the existing Butterfly checklist
of STR (150 species) and the final figures now stand at 168. More frequent visits and observations will improve this number
further.
Migration of Butterflies
The year 2019 saw migration of the Danainae sub-family butterflies, Emigrants and Painted Lady. These were under observa-
tion from middle of April until end of June various places across Tamil Nadu and South India. The data from protected places/
reserves such as STR is usually less. However, during the study, all these migrations have been witnessed.
Emigrants were seen moving at a higher altitude in Hassanur at a rate of 10 specimens per min and similarly the Danainae mi-
gration was observed in Talamalai Range where the Crows and Tigers were equal in the movement. Painted Lady, as discussed
elsewhere in this issue, have also moved into a few places across STR like Talamalai and Germalam. They in all probability
moved via Wayanad and The Nilgiris.
New Additions and other Observations
Some of the new additions are wonderful species such as Banded Royal, Painted Courtesan, Striated Five-ring, White-tipped
Lineblue, Paris Peacock, Common Sergeant and Pale Four-lineblue. These are relatively rare. The other additions are Tawny
Rajah, Blackvein Sergeant, Malayan, Plain Hedge Blue, White Hedge Blue, Chestnut Angle, South Indian Ace, Painted Lady,
Nilgiri Tiger, Long-banded Silverline and Bamboo Treebrown.
Double-banded Judy is seen in good population around Talamalai and Germalam ranges. Also, seen along with them on the
same habitat type is Rustic. These were apparently missing during December survey. Almost all possible Pieridae species were
sighted in the TN Palayam range on the lower elevations. The Arabs, Tips, Emigrants, Albatrosses, Pioneers and Gulls, Grass
Yellows were also in good population.
The smaller blues, especially, the Pierrots, Lineblues, Hedge Blues were in good numbers in the Talamalai range. In Talawadi, a
suspected Long-branded Bushbrown was seen, but this needs further investigation. Also, seen was a Common Three-ring at an
elevation of 800m. Nilgiri Tiger, which is also recorded from Yercaud Hills of Eastern Ghats, is recorded first time from the STR
and proving the fact that Nilgiri Tiger is not restricted to Western Ghats alone.
The evergreen and shola patches on the higher elevations apparently house rare species and these areas required further de-
tailed investigation and we hope such studies will bring out some surprising results too. Certain pockets of STR has for example
all possible Ypthima species in one single location.
Acknowledgement
We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the CCF & FD, Dr. V. Nagana-
than, IFS, STR, Mr. P.G. Arun Lal, IFS, District Forest Officer & Deputy Director, Sathya-
mangalam Division, STR, Mr. Kumili Venkata Appala Naidu, DFO, Hasanur Division for
the permission, guidance and direction. Our sincere thanks are also due to all the For-
est Range Officers of five Ranges, for the range level coordination and execution and
deputing personal to accompany the survey team.
Members who participated in the exercise on behalf of TNBS are Mr. Pavendhan A,
Mr. Gopalakrishnan S, Mr. Balakrishnan R, Mr. Nishanth CV, Mr. Ramanasaran H, Mr.
Prakash Loganathan, Mr. K. Sravan Kumar K, Mr. Muniraj P, Mr. Chetan H Joshi, Mr.
Vishwa Nathan S, Mr. Gaja Mohan Raj, Mr. Darshan M Trivedi, Mr. Prakash G, Mr. Byju
H, Mr. Kishore Kumaran, Mr. Rangaraj, Mr. Sarang S and Mr. Manikandan
Narration : Pavendhan A
Pictures credit: Survey Participants
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 3 VEINS 4
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