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Fauna of Protected Areas - 25: BUTTERFLIES of KALAKAD-MUNDANTHURAI TIGER RESERVE, TAMIL NADU

Fauna of Protected Areas - 25: BUTTERFLIES of KALAKAD-MUNDANTHURAI TIGER RESERVE, TAMIL NADU

CATALOGUE ZOOS' PRINT JOURNAL 20(12): 2100-2107

Fauna of Protected Areas - 25: OF KALAKAD-MUNDANTHURAI TIGER RESERVE,

Dunston P. Ambrose 1,2 and D. Senthil Raj 1

1 Entomology Research Unit, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayankottai, Tamil Nadu 627002, Email: 2 [email protected] web supplement

ABSTRACT southern Euphorbia scrub, Ochlandra reeds and grasslands A survey of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (K-MTR), of low and high altitudes. Immediately after the onset of , southern India, from September 2002 to monsoons, the host of butterflies appear with leaf blush March 2003 revealed the presence of 24 of butterflies. Observation on diagnostic morphological and flowers. features, habitat range, larval and adult food, months of abundance, duration of flight, mode of flight and associated Survey, collection and identification habits, and conservation status are included with Initially, a preliminary survey was conducted to identify spots meteorological data. with reasonably viable population of butterflies. Such areas were visited fortnightly from September 2002 to March 2003. KEYWORDS biodiversity, , conservation status, ecology, flight, Data on morphological features, habitat range, larval and adult food, K-MTR, mimicry, morphology. food, mode of flight and associated habits, month-wise abundance, hour-wise abundance from 07.00 to 17.00hr, i.e., India harbours about 1501 species of butterflies, 285 species duration of flight and mimicry were recorded along with cloud are found in southern India (Thomas, 1966), of which 45 species cover, nature of wind, rainfall and temperature. To ensure correct are endemic to southern India. The Kalakad-Mundanthurai identity, specimens were collected with sweeping nets, baits of Tiger Reserve (K-MTR) in the Western Ghats is noted for its decaying fruits, honey, salt, moist earth etc., and released after rich species diversity and a study of butterfly diversity was identification. The specimens required for further identification conducted from September 2002 to March 2003. The data in the laboratory were killed and preserved by standard generated on the butterfly fauna of this reserve with details of procedures. The butterflies were identified based on our ecology are presented in this paper. personal observations and literature (Thomas, 1966; Lewis, 1973; Stanek, 1977; Mani, 1986; Matthew, 1987; Ford, 1990; MATERIALS AND METHODS Mathew, 1990; Smart, 1991; Haribal, 1992; Mathew & Habitat Rahamathulla, 1993; Mathew et al., 1998; Daccordi et al., 1988; The 895km2 K-MTR (Image 1w) was the 17th tiger reserve Vane-Wright & Ackery, 1988; Whalley, 1988; Allaby, 1989; established in India. It is located (8025'-8053'N & 77010'-77035' Haribal, 1992; Carter, 1992; Gay et al., 1992; Feltwell, 1998; E) at the southern end of Western Ghats extending into Gunathilagaraj, 1998) with a note on their conservation status. Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in the biogeographical provinces 4.14.4 (Deccan and thorn forests) and 4.1.1 (Malabar RESULTS AND DISCUSSION forests). There are two wildlife sanctuaries viz., Kalakad Wildlife Though butterflies belonging to nine families were observed in Sanctuary and the Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary. the K-MTR, only the members of four families Acraeidae, Danaidae, Libytheidae and Papilionidae were studied in detail The K-MTR has an undulating topography with forests and hence the information pertaining to them are presented in extending from 40 to 1800m. It has three major peaks viz., this paper (Tables 1 and 2 and Images 3w and 4w). Agasthiyarmalai (1867m), Anithilaipothigai (1826m) and Nagapothigai (1669m). Geologically, K-MTR is of metamorphic Acraeidae origin and archaean in age. The small to medium-sized acraeids with narrow and very sparsely scaled wings and long and slender abdomen are The K-MTR experiences warm tropical climate with temperature yellowish or tawny with few dark markings. Their forewings ranging between a maximum of 23-290C and a minimum of 17- are long and hind wings are rounded. Though they resemble 250C. The south-west monsoon from June to August with an danaids in appearance and habits, the males do not exhibit average annual rainfall varying from 750mm in the northern secondary sexual characteristics. They fly straight and forward, end and eastern outer slopes and more than 3500mm in the closer to the ground, often fearlessly and slowly as danaids western high ranges. The north-west monsoon is from October with wings positioned horizontally, a characteristic flight called to December. ‘sailing’. They were found settling frequently on flowers and exposed terrain in K-MTR. They were found ejecting foul The K-MTR has about 2000 species of plants under 10 major smelling, oily, yellow defensive secretion from the thorax to forest types: southern tropical wet evergreen, semievergreen, deter avian and reptilian predators. southern moist mixed deciduous, tropical riparian fringe, dry w teak, carnatic umbrella thorn, southern mixed dry deciduous, see Images 1-4 on the web at www.zoosprint.org © Zoo Outreach Organisation; www.zoosprint.org Manuscript 1312; Received 05 January 2005; Revised received 30 June 2005; Finally accepted 10 September 2005; Date of publication 21 November 2005 2100 December 2005 | ISSN 0973-2535 (Print edition); 0973-2551 (Online edition) Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj

Danaidae of butterflies with special reference to their host plants and The danaids are the second dominant group of butterflies factors that affect their distribution, diversity and abundance followed by papilionids. They are hardy and leathery butterflies will be a rewarding experience. with very weak legs that are unfit for walking. The males possess secondary sexual characteristics. Their unpleasant smell and REFERENCES unpalatable body fluids enable them to gain protection from Allaby, M. (1989). The Oxford Dictionary of Natural History. Oxford University their natural enemies such as birds and lizards. Hence, they Press, New Delhi. characteristically exhibit a fearless and exhibit slow flight. They Carter, D. (1992). Eyewitness Handbooks-Butterflies and Moths, The visual guide to over 500 species of butterfly and moth from around the world. Dorking were found congregating on shrubs or bushes in large numbers Kindersley, New York. and frequenting flowers and damp places. Their abundance Daccordi, M., P. Triberti and A. Zanetti (1988). Guide to Butterflies and could be attributed to the abundance of their food plants in the Moths. Simon and Schusters, INC., New York. plains and foothills of K-MTR. Feltwell, J. (1998). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies. Quantum Books Limited, London. Ford, E.B. (1990). Butterflies. Bloomsbury Books, London. Libytheidae Gay, T., I.D. Kehimkar and J.C. Punetha (1992). Common Butterflies of The libytheids or beaks (their labial palps are modified into a India. World Wide Fund for Nature-India. Oxford University Press, Bombay. long snout-like process in front of the head) are represented by Gunathilagaraj, K. (1998). Some South Indian Butterflies. Tamil Nadu, India: only two species of Libythca in K-MTR. They are dark Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association, Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris, 274pp. brown in colour with narrow forewings. At rest, they draw the Haribal, M. (1992). The Butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya and their Natural forewings closer to their body and cover by hind wings, History- includes many species found also in other parts of India and Himalaya, Sikkim: Sikkim Nature Conservation Foundations (SNCF). exposing only the tip of forewings. They mimick dry leaves Larsen, T.B. (1987a). The butterflies of the of Southern when resting on twigs. The evergreen forest endemic libytheids India (: Rhopalocera). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society were commonly found around streams and damp places of K- 84(1): 26-54. MTR. Larsen, T.B. (1987b). The butterflies of the Nilgiri mountains of Southern India (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 84(2): 291-316. Papilionidae Larsen, T.B. (1987c). The butterflies of the Nilgiri mountains of Southern India The largest and magnificient papilios or swallowtails constitute (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society the most diversified family with 14 species in K-MTR. Generally, 84(3): 560-584. they have long and narrow wings with pointed forewings. Larsen, T.B. (1988). The butterflies of the Nilgiri mountains of Southern India Many of them have tails in the hind wings, hence the common (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 85(1): 26-43. name. Their predominant background colour is black with varied Lewis, H.L. (1973). Butterflies of the World. Harrap, London. colour markings and patterns. Their principal food plants Mani, M.S. (1986). Butterflies of Himalaya. New Delhi, India: Oxford IBH belong to the families Aristolochiae, Anonaceae and . Publishing Co. The larvae of papilios are protected by their unpleasant taste Matthew, K.M. (1987). A Handbook of the Anglade Institute of Natural History. or smell. This defensive character is also present in the adults The Rabinat Herbarium, St. Joseph’s College, Shembaganur, India. of birdwings and red-bodied swallowtails. The Mathew, G. (1990). Studies on the Lepidopteran fauna. In: Ecological studies and long term monitoring of biological processes in the Silent Valley National derive toxic materials from their host plants belonging to Park. Report submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Govt. of India, Aristolochiae, sequester and store them in their tissues. These Forest Institute, 239pp. poisonous materials are carried over to adults and thus they Mathew, G. and V.K. Rahamathulla (1993). Studies on the butterflies of the gain protection from predators. Though they exhibit varied Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India. Entomon 18(3&4): 1875-192. pattern of flight they are capable of rapid flying when threatened. Mathew, G., P. Rugmini and V.V. Sudheendrakumar (1998). biodiversity in disturbed and undisturbed forests in the Kerala part of Western The mimes mimick the danaids. The birdwings and red-bodied Ghats. KFRI Research Report No. 135, 113pp. swallowtails display bright red and yellow as warning colours. Haribal, M. (1992). The Butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya and their Natural Sexual dimorphism is not well pronounced among the members History - Includes many Species found also in other parts of India and Himalaya. of this family. Sikkim Nature Conservation Foundation, Gangtok. Smart, P. (1991). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World. Salamander Books Ltd., London. The abundance and diversity of butterflies of K-MTR could be Stanek, V.J. (1977). The illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies and Moths. attributed to the evergreen forests of K-MTR at low altitude Octopus Books Limited, London. that receives fairly good rainfall and experiences only a brief Thomas, S. (1966). Bulletin of the Madras Government Museum- Descriptive period of dryness. The diversity and abundance of butterflies Catalog of the Butterflies. Natural History Section Vol. VII No. 1. were found poor where human activities such as habitat Vane-Wright, R.I. and P.R. Ackery (1988). The biology of butterflies. Academic fragmentation and destruction, grazing, monoculture, forest fire Press, London. Whalley, P. (1988). Butterfly and Moth. In Association with The Natural etc., have been taking place. Hence, prevention of habitat History Museum, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. fragmentation and destruction, regulation of grazing, avoidance of monoculture and prevention of forest fire etc., in the K-MTR ACKNOWLEDGEMETS and general awareness programme to people especially to those The authors are grateful to the Chief Wildlife Warden, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and who visit temples viz., Sorimuthyanar Kovil and Nambikovil Dr. R. Annamalai, Field Director, KMTR, Tirunelveli for granting permission to inside the K-MTR forest will conserve and augment the conduct the study at K-MTR. One of us (DPA) thank the authorities of St. butterfly fauna of K-MTR. Further studies on the biodiversity Xavier’s College for facilities and support.

December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 2101 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj , erecta

Calotropis arborescens , sunnhemp

Calotropis , tall chaste spp. spp.Indian Tagetes and emetic polygonoides

spp. Cyelon carissa, (Asclepiadaceae) spp. feeds on Lantana spp. (Fabaceae) etc. spp. etc. tinctoria, () etc. Marsdenia tenacissima Dregea volubilisVallaris Oxystelm (=exculentum) Madagascar , indica , swallowwort

Celosia Medicago sativa Lantana s especially blood flower,

Jatropha panduraeflia sp. (Asclepiadaceae). 2. fiddle- Hoya carnosa spp., (Zygophyllaceae) etc. (Apocynaceae) etc. Ceropegia , aztec marigold, Lantana and monk’s pepper tree and monk’s , etc. (Verbenaceae), land-caltrops (Verbenaceae), (Asclepiadaceae) etc. and stores d-Mundanthurai Tiger

comb, aceaeApocynaceae etc. Tylophora spp. V. solanacea V. daceae especially madar, and Asclepias sp. (Asteraceae) iadaceae, Apocynaceae etc. Calotropis rajmahal hemp rosy milkweed spinarum volubilis ,

and epiadaceaeApocynaceae V. altissima V. ucurbitaceae, Passifloraceae etc. leaved jatropha A: 1. Tridax Tridax Lantana Ra phistemma pulchellum, R. lemma, Tylophora camosa, secamone the poisons in tissue as defense A: fiddle-leaved jatropha, procere (Boraginaceae), , floribunda (Asteraceae), heliotrope glabra Larval and adult food (Euphorbiaceae). 3. Carissa Dragea swallowwort V.agnus-castus terrestris Tribulus tree gigantea Chinese chaste tree Vitex negundo e- a, A: o 2000 m of South islands, Mediterranean countries. the America, , Canary rainfall, entire Oriental region, altitudes of southern Western A: wild and garden flowers Ghats and Nilgiri, rarely seen in plains commonest butterfly. up to 2700 m throughout India,Fabaceae A: Afghanistan, , , Mynmar, , , Australia, , , , New Guinea, Pacific islands. Habitat range butterflies. sentative of this family. ) but withbut ) a common butterfly of plainse.g. Asclepiadaceae: L: T. limniace T. limniace exoticus

T. or brick red, male ventrally glassy forewings with alowregions, hilly and plains L: C but without the golden brown tinge, wingspan 80-105 mm. also found in , Pakistan, marginal bands, ventrally pale with more prominent black lines along the veins,openhills, in 2700m to up and milkweed poisonous dorsally black with pale blue markings, similar to tiger ( dorsally orange brown (tawny) with very bold black veins and apical white junglesscrub and edges forest L. Apocynaceae exoticus dorsally dull brownish with bluish white spots, ventrally dark sharp endemic to hilly regions at lowAscl L: wings with pendulous pouches, sex marks in males and stroked by abdominal brushes Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China,lucerne (Fabaceae), producing scent aphrodisiac to females, wing span 90-100 mm. Mynmar,Thailand, Bangladesh, Diagnostic morphological features large, dorsally black with irregular white or pale blue markings and marginal spots,forewings with black basal area, ventrally golden brown and areas of fore- deserts, throughout India, forests hills and plains except L: Asclepiad cock’s pink A: apex, forewings upper half dark brown with white spots in the black area and hind wings commonest of Indianplant wax common markings and marginal bands, hind wing with large spots in the band, span 50 - 65mm. transparent brown wings with bluish white streaks and spots, forewing cell streak divided found in wet and moist placeslengthwise into 3 portions and an elongated streak below the cell, hind wings with broad L: Asclep of hilly regions with heavy A: an inner border, females yellowish red, i.e., paler than male, forewings with broad males have 2 patches of black scent scales, wing span 70-85 mm,the apex and termen India and are narrowly edged with black, veins ventral side paler. . dorsally reddish brown (tawny) with black borders in both fore- and hind wings everywhere including deserts L: Asclepia darker and narrower markings, hind wings with a characteristic wish-bone marking in the and hilly regions at altitudes Danais exoticus

(Blue Tiger) (Fabricius)] black marginal border having a row of yellow spots, hind wings with cluster 5 Indi throughout altitudes, Fabricius male dorsally tawny orange Danais plexippus septentrionis limniace Fruhstor [= (Linnaeus) apices in forewings, forewings with variable numbers of white spots the costa and3000m to up India, throughout

chrysippus (Butler)]

Danais aglea Danais limniace (Cramer)] (Dark Blue(Dark (Cramer)] cell formed by two white streaks joined at the base, ventrally darker than genutia Danais nilgiriensis Parantica aglea Tirumala Tirumala Danais chrysippus Telchinia violae Telchinia Acraea violae Danaus (Cramer) [= Tiger/(Common (Linnaeus)] Striped Tiger/) wingspan 75 to 95mm. plains with moderate to good melissa Tiger)(Nilgiri 7. wing span 90mm. Tiger) 6. 5. dravidarum leopardus Table 1. Diagnostic morphological features, habitat and range mode of flight associated habits butterflies Kalaka Acraeidae 1. Reserve. Butterfly [= 4. Gmelin [= Monarch, African Queen,African Monarch, Lesser Wanderer, AK Butterfly) female with a pouch in female, ventrally dull orange, wingspan 70 - 80mm. (= Linnaeus) (Plain Tiger, African Tiger, (Plain Linnaeus) with 6 black spots, hind wings 4 small spots around the cell in male and 3 Danaidae 2. Cramer [= (Tawny Coster)(Tawny ringed white spots at the base, marginal band with larger yellowish and the only South Indian repr chrysippus (Cramer)] (Glassy Blue Tiger)Blue (Glassy (Cramer)] discoidal streaks and spots, ventrally dark brown with more clearly defined markings,t up rainfall 3.

2102 December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj , , Ficus spp.,black Hamelia spp., Ficus , , Easter tree (Euphorbiaceae) Persea americana , custard apple, , cluster fig spp., aztec, Annona musicata (Fagaceae), soapnut , Indian sarsaparilla (Sapindaceae), radish Saccopetalum deccanensis, (Anonaceae),

Zinnia angustifolia (Apocynaceae) (Amaranthaceae), Chinese (Anacardiacae), cadillo indica

Cryptolepis elegans, Lantana , sour sop Ficus religiosa Miliusa odonatissima (Brassicaceae), feather cock’s oliaceae), argenta (Moraceae).oleander

(Malvaceae) etc. cymosum chinensis

spp. Larval and adult food

spp., spp. Ficus bengalensis spp. and other member of Polyalthia longifolia , peepal , machilus, avocado Euphorbia geniculata (Apocynaceae) etc. Castanopsis Ichnocarpus frutescens Rhus lobata (Rubiaceae), yan,

Sapindus emarginatus Polyalthia Lantana Lantana Annona discolor, Polyalthia Aganosma Alseodaphne semicarpifolia, , A. semicarpifolia, C. longiflora, pauciflora, Crytolepis Streblus asper marigold, common (Asteraceae), pink cock’s comb, ber, land calotrops etc. oleander A: fiddle leaved jatropha, scarlet-bush patens Holarrhena antidysenterica Hemidesmus indicus L. sebifera sumac Urena tomentosum, S. gaultheria glomerata Cinnamomum zeylanicum, tree Raphanus sativus comb, chestnut camphora s L: p to A: 500m a up totree mast ns ofcamphor (),cinnamon, astra, Polyalthia Pakistan, ; also found Nilgiris and up to further east- grown in gardens Habitat range throughout Oriental region abundant during monsoon months. in Sri Lanka, Pakistan,, Bangladesh,etc. cinnamon A: Malaysia, China, Australia, Soloman islands, also common in plains because the larvae feed on mast tree longifolia brown with white marginal and terminal spots, either equal or decrease in forest, open and plains, L: ban Diagnostic morphological features of spots, wing span 80 - 95mm. one of the largest butterflies, dorsally greyish white and semi transparent, forewingsheavywith jungle thick damp L: scent wool in the dorsal fold, ventrally pale brown with black and red spots hindandKumaon , South (Magn champac beak or snout and hence the common name, wing span 50mm.India. South forewing very conspicuous, male has sex pouches on the forewings, one of commonest butterflies with number of subspecies, races and forms differ in patternAustralia. and China Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, yellow or white terminal spots between the veins and a black centered tornal, hind wings with aspot, ventrally pale to rich dark brown, forewing markings as dorsally, Southin series of large yellow terminal spots, wingspan 90-100mm.1000m and Lanka in Himalayas 2700m in Sri A: flowers dorsally brownish black with variable number of bright green (yellow) spots and stripes,goodwith areas wooded forest L: found patches, damp and India more prominent, ventrally light brown with spots as in the dorsal side and band Bangladesh,Lanka, Sri creeper dorsally black, forewings elongate, triangular with brilliant torquoise blue / greenish wide common in forest wooded L: (Cramer) dorsally glassy C & R& C tailless, dorsally black with variable number of blue spots, both wings have marginalwithedges and clearings L: forest Moore dorsally dark brown with broad central tawny bands in hind wings and yellowish or only in forests around -- Moore (Linnaeus)] with the bands pointed towards tail and submarginal semilunar blue spots at base , Himalayas; (Linnaeus) dorsally velvetty dark brown, forewings with a series of creamy white marginal and ter-region hilly of altitudes low (Moore & de& (Moore with black margined veins, 2 large subbasal spots, a oval discal part and 3 rows of rainfall, Western Ghats, u doson sarpedon

agamemnon

Felder and Felderand Felder males greenish with stumply tail and females yellowish longer tail, female has a rainfall from South Indi Felder & Felder [=Felder & Felder bands that pointed at the tip and a few rounded spots extending to apex, hind wingsplai open and regions Libythea lepita Chilasa clytia Graphium Graphium Euploea core malabarica Hestialyncens Zetiges agamemnon Butterfly 9. [= menides [= Paper Fly / Spectre)Libytheidae 10. Beak)(Common forewings and costa white, ventrally similar to dorsal, wingspan 120 - 160mm.Papilionidae 11. endemic to South India. bands or streaks from the base of cells in forewings, palpi elongate and form apatches, wet in and streams Niceville)] (Malabar Tree(Malabar Niceville)] Nymph / Floater / Silver spots on the outer half, costa black at base and remaining part alternately the in 1300m and white, hind wings with similar black markings, cells 2 streaks, thicker than the south of Mahar 12. 8. (Linnaeus)] (Tailed Jay) (Tailed (Linnaeus)] wings, wing margin with crescent shaped sopts, sexually dimorphic, span 85-100mm.further eastwards Felder (Common Jay)14. small bluish green spots, wing span 75 mm. good rainfall, throughout India. A: flowers 13. (Common Mime)(Common minal spots in the discal series of long arrow shaped streaks, marginal crescents, narrow, but occasionally up to 2 (Common Indian Crow)Indian (Common size, forewings much darker than hind wings with short band, marginal spots of throughout India, tereden Triangle)Bottle Blue and disc with red spots, ventrally brown more bluish (than dorsal) bands, wingspan(Common Kashmir and Zetides sarpedon

December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 2103 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj ; spp., , garcinia, spp. aurantifolia A. indica

trifolia Citrus garden rue curryleaf Malay glycosmis d, Atlantia Triphasia trifolia Triphasia

Lantana spp., Malay Citrus spp. etc. (Rutaceae) etc. etc. (Fabaceae), ber Citrus , lime , rhetsa Toddalia asiatica Toddalia

Indian birthwort ae, especially pomelo, , limeberry (Flindersiaceae), wood apple ochiaceae (Rhamnaceae), spp. corylefolia Aegle marmelos,

Indian atlantia M. doltsopa (Rutaceae) etc. reticulata ,

decumana (), ae

Larval and adult food swietenia

, wild orange Lantana spp. pentaphylla spp. spp. Zanthoxylum

Citrus Psoralea mauritiana

spp., bael Citrus chi dian birthwort and other members of Lantana Lantana Lantana Aristolochia griffithi, and A. tagala Zizyphus Murraya Murraya koenigi Ruta graveolens, R. chalepensis, Glycosmis Paramigyna monophylla, Citrus Chloroxylon monophylla m L: satinwood tree st in India glycosmis akistan, st coast of A: sh, Myanmar, hroughout out India, Sri Malay glycosmis hout India and A: flowers, heavy rainfall, pomela i Lanka, at altitudes south of Godavari Aristolochiace Habitat range Shevroys, Coorg, Mussoric and Assam in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, , China, Bang- ladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong kong and . Myanmar, Malaysia, Japan, Papua, New Guinea, , Australia. Pakistan, China, Bangladesh,China, Pakistan, A: flowers and fermenting fruits wards, also found in Sri Lanka, sp. (Lauraceae), Taiwan, Papua New Guinea Taiwan, and Northern Australia. etc. A: flowers Islands. white forests with , bright red body andIndonesia, Thailand, a large creamy of marginal bright crimson mainly brownish, white streaks betweenstreaks endemic to Western Ghatswhite brownish, A: fly together, wing span 85mm. fly together, Pachliopta latrielli P. a. diphilus P. and and the rare wind mill P. a. aristoloctinae P. P. polytes P. Diagnostic morphological features a red / crimson semilunar marking in the apex of hind wings separates bands bet-ween the wings, hind wings with a red-tinged black ocellus in torsus and green or blue- Lanka. Sri tipped tail, bands broader in males, ventrally pale greenish brown to blackish with clear bands, wing span 80-100 mm. dorsally blackish brown and speckled with yellow spots, tailless, the anal areas of hind forests, plains and dampbab L: those are more prominent in females, ventrally as dorsal side but with complete row110-130mm.wingspan crescents, marginal of especially in the Western-- A: Ghats the Nilgiris, Hills, red bodied swallow tail, dorsally black, forewings discal areas paler with black fold stripeslowand fields open plains, L: mormon tailless, head, thorax and abdomen uniformly blackish brown, the second largestevergreenwet in places damp L: members of Rutace the base and a few orange spots, hind wings with blue bordered spots in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, 80-90mm. blue with discal marginal and terminal series of black spots, hind wings at the base A: flowers, droppings etc. black hind wing black, markings as dorsally but with larger crimson crescent spots, both Orissa, South Bihar, West sexas have tails, avian predators are repelled by the characteristic bright crimson bodyAndamans. the and Bengal and spots, wingspan 90-120mm. dorsally predominantly black with greyish white and dirty red spots, forewings have moist wet forest areas,Aristol of members L: elongate red spot slightly visible at the base of cell, dorsally hind wings more or lessMyanmar. and dorsally bluish black, forewings with interrupted and irregular discal apical whitebands, hind wings with almost spherical discal bands and a row plains and hills throughout India, L: In decrease in size towards the apex and traversed by black stripes along veins, anBangladesh Pakistan, Lanka, dirty red marginal spots, a large posterior discal yellowish patch, submarginal series of1000m. - 300 crimson lunules and a prominent tail, wingspan 100-130mm. black bodied swallow tail with prominent tail, dorsally blackish brown, forewings indistinct golden yellow scales between the veins, hind wings with damp places in evergreenorange L: middle, markings become deep orange in older flies, wingspan 80-100mm.China,South , (Rutaceae), East Indian satinwoo spots (warning colouration) deter predators and convey that it is distasteful, commonduring rainy season, males emit strong and slightly pungent odour, six subspecies, the Sunda China, Philippines, two common (Gray)] prominent broad, triangular median bands formed by pale Linnaeus (Fabricius)] discal spots and red submarginal spots, ventrally spot in the anal area of Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Fabricius magnificiant green-blue iridescent while flying, dorsally brownish and heavily dusted with dry forest areas up to 2000 helenus

hector aristolochiae pandiyana

Tros hector Tros (Fabricius) [= and well marked pale vein stripes, hind wings with prominent tails, 5 elongated white altitudes found in South Ea crino helenus daksha demoleus polymnestor

Tros jophon Tros Pachliopta Papilio Papilio Papilio Papilio Pachliopta Pachliopta Butterfly 19. 21. aristolochiae (Lime / Lemon Butterfly/ Citrus Butterfly / Lime have brick red oval spots (false eyes), anteriorly bordered with blue lunule at the inner margin and bluish spot near the costal margin, yellow wavy markings at bases oft common areas, P Lanka, Sri India, 15. Tros aristolochiae Tros (Common Banded Peacock)Banded (Common green scales, wings have bluish discal bands that pointed towards apices in males,throug altitude, (Common Rose)(Common forewings and they proximally reduced in hind wings, resembles females of commonMalaysia, Bangladesh, A: Moore [= Helen)(Red (Linnaeus)] discal patch and a series of indistinct, crimson red crescent markings in the marginyear the throughout Mormon)(Blue Cramer in South India, dorsally forewings black with blue discal bands that forests, through Swallowtail / Chequered/ Swallowtail Swallowtail) both forewings and hind wings, ventrally almost black with 7 yellow streaks atBanglade Arabia, 17. 16. (Linnaeus) [= Rose)(Crimson (Linnaeus)] crescent spots, females have broader bands and ventrally forewings brownish river, along the ea 18. 20. Moore [= Rose)Rose/Ceylon (Malabar the veins, dorsal cells in hind wings greyish white and have series ofSr and India

2104 December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj and other ion status Marsdenia Caesalpinia coriaria, spp., common, not common, not protected very common, not rare, needs protection protected fairly common, not , spp. bael, Malay Lantana (Asclepiadaceae) A. tagala, griffithi, Thottea hybrida

spp. (Fabaceae) etc. Cethosia Murraya spp. etc. Hypolimnas Larval and adult food Annonaceae.

spp., hyperbius

, Indian frittilary etc. Citrus Polyalthia cerasoides, M. tomentosa Indian birthwort, Acacia, Cassia wallichi, T. siliquosa wallichi, T. Aristolochiae Mimicryabsent Conservat Mullerian Mullerian leopard lacewing cynae Mullerian misippus Argyrens , A: -- , mimicked by danaid ut India, glycosmis garden rue and other plants of ushes withof plants Danaus a spp., etc. Habitat range Japan, Philippines, Moluccas; commonly occuring near human habitations especially in the gardens cultivated with curry leaf, orange, lemons etc. in Sri Lank flight and associated habits settling in flowers for a moment to siphon nectar and wooded places and hedges, while alighting on flowers keeping protected flies close to the ground, slow and fluttering unsteadily, resembling many danaids, frequently settles on flowersand often found basking at early morning hours, exudes an yellowish, bad smelling, oily liquid when disturbed. protected slow and lazy flier unless frightened disturbed, weak when compared to other tigers, known migrant, frequents damp patches, retires from hot weather, clings to tree branches in hundreds at shade in dense forests. slow, undulating and strongest flier of the genus remains on wing for longer period i.e., flying from dawn to female eggfly slow and lazy flier, active throughout the year in South India, wings spread and remains motionless while siphoning nectar, rapidly flying when disturbed, congregate in large nubmer. slow and lazy flier, fluttering wings majestically vigorously congregate in large number during wet weather, common migrant and spring. ) and the other with common rose Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Rutaceae etc. P. hector P. Duration of flightof Mode 7-9 9-1 1-5 >Sep. - *** * >Sep. - ** * >Sep. ** *** ** (100) >Sep. - *** ** >Sep. - *** ** (100) (30+) (10+) >Dec. (30+) (10+) (50+) (20+) in , the third rare morph of female resembles male, wing span 100mm.Myanmar,Bangladesh, China, A: fond of flowers of divi-divi Months of abundance Oct >Dec. (50+) Oct. (50+) Oct. = >Dec. Nov. (100+) Oct. = (200-)Dec. dusk, awny = Nov. Diagnostic morphological features and have 5 small irregular red patches at the base of cell, ventrally opaque black, females slightly larger and duller, wingspan 120-150mm. aristolochiae P. black bodied swallow tail, sexually dimorphic, female trimorphic, males dorsally lowat plains and forests redbodied swallowtails one with crimson rose ( L: white, each forewing is crossed with five broad black bands and the broader outer band forests usually below 1000m, L: with long black tail, ventrally white markings as above but bronze brown hind wings region. black broken discal band having a series of red spots edged with black, wingspan 75-90mm. Oriental throughout with white bordered veins, prominent grey-white vein stripes in females, dorsally hindmon- during Ghats Western ventrally forewing vein stripes more prominent, wingspan 140-190mm. monsoon months, also found A: fond of flowers of wings golden yellow with black discal triangular spots which are larger in females, soons and immediate post- Gmelin Nov. = >Oct. (Butler)] (Cramer)] = Nov. Cramer dravidasum

exoticus nomius

polytes

Cramer 7' wing span, sexually dimorphic, dorsally forewings glossy black largest Indian butterfly, inabundant patches, forest L: (Fabricius)] (T (Linnaeus)] Fabricius (Cramer)] (Glassy Blue = Nov. Danais chrysippus nomius

limniace minos septentrionis polytes

chrysippus

Danais melissa

helena

Papilio Pathysa Triodes Acraea violae Parantica aglea Tirumala Tirumala Telchinia violae Telchinia Danais aglea Danais limniace leopardus Triodes Danaus Butterfly Butterfly Acraeidae 1. [= Coster) Danaidae 2. [= Tiger) 3. (Linnaeus) (= Fruhstor [= 4. (Blue Tiger)5. (100-) Linnaeus) (Plain Tiger, African Monarch, [= Tiger)Blue (Dark (500-) Dec. in S. India, found Himalayas below 2700 m during autumn African Queen, Lesser Wanderer)Lesser Queen, African continually moving from flower to flower. Table 2. Months of abundance, duration flight, mode flight and associated habits, mimicry conservation status of butterflies Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve. 22. 23. (Linnaeus) (Common Mormon)(Common (Linnaeus) with cream (whitish to yellowish) spots on hind wings, two morphs mimicks elevations througho 24. Esper (Spot Sword / tail /tail / Sword (Spot Esper Five Bar Swordtail) traversed by a row of submarginal white spots, hind wings are large and possess 2 black mostly among b elongated subbasal bands and a broader outer band traversed by 6 white lunular spots[= lesser secondary growth (Southern Birdwing)

December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 2105 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj ion status common, protected common, protected very rare, needs not common, needs its polyphagous nature common, not protected common, not protected common, not protected and Elymnias romulus;

bodied rare, needs protection is a fine example G. doron G. sarpedon T.limniace exoticus T.limniace P.polytes and the lacewing C. clytia niigira

allowtails Mullerian absent absent E.core var. dissinilis nesaea Cethosia resembling female of Zygaenid moth Hista of comimick this species Mimicry Conservat P. polytes romulus P. but blue tiger P. demoleus P. around thered resembling E. core in action. or fermenting flowers, strongflowers, mimicked by female ofI schedule common, and roosting in large female of common malabarica

I. . mormon G. sarpedon baits with rotting P.hector flight and associated habits other meat, congregate in large number wet places, does the monsoon season, seen along with its model comparatively uncommon. highly dispersed, slow and lazy flier, active throughout the mimicking palmfly very rapid and darting flier, skipping sailing, settles at wet very slow and wafting, slowest flier among Indian butterflies, flies gracefully high in groups of four to five thick forests,hovering effortlessly at one spot, riding the air with its large wings, swiftly escapes when alarmed, ascends to the tree tops by lazy flapping of wings and then sails down slowly in wide circles by keeping the wings spread out like large white flowers to water surfaces where it flutters for a moment then rises again tree tops. disturbed but not far away and returns again protection slow and lazy flier but rapid when disturbed, fond of circlingaround tree tops for hours together during warm and sunny mimicks common crow rare, schedule I Part IV year. areas during daytime, male often sails with its curved abdomen mine and extended powder puff-like yellow hair pencils, strongmigrant, resting in large number before and during migration. protected not slow flier, settles on shady trees at places in wet and damp mimicked by common very common due to very fast flier, fond of continually visiting flowers, hoversover flowers but never settles, prefers low altitudes. absent not a strong flier, attracted to fruits and carrions, visits flowers in damp places, fond of mud puddling, seen in association with Fabaceae in search of nectar, migrating and number with crimson rose mud pudding. slow and steady flier, fond of settling down in in large congregation. strong flier but nervous and restless, hovers from flower toflower, attracted to foul smelling/ fermenting fruits and resembling high in the canopy during day time, even heavy rains, low flight resembling Malabar tree nymph lower canopy, feeds on flowers during early morning and keepslower canopy, sw migrant, congregate and roost in thousands. Part IV very fast flier, flies deep inside the dense forests 7-9 9-1 1-5 Duration of flightof Mode Dec. * *** * slowl flier, flier at ease flutters from flower to ofbimorphicby mimicked protected not common, >Sep. - *** * (10+) (10+) - *** * =Oct. - ** * slow and active flier throughout the year >Sep. - *** * >Sep. - *** * (100) (500+) >Sep. - *** ? >Sep.(10-) - ***>Sep.(10-) - * *** * >Sep. - *** * >Sep.(100-) - *** * >Sep. - *** - >Sep. (15-) (5+) (200+) (3000-) (100+) (150+) >Dec. (150+) (200+) >Sep. = (300+) (30) (10) (30) (10) = >Dec. = >Dec. (50+) in Dec. (20+) (20+) (10+) Dec. (50+) (5000+) (300-) (250+) (200-) (300-) Oct. Oct. Oct. - Nov.(100) (10) (10) (500-) or Months of abundance (50) (50) Felder Nov. > Felder & Oct. = >Dec. (Linnaeus)] Nov. (Cramer) Dec. = Oct. > menides

Moore Oct.= >Dec. (Malabar Tree (Cramer) Oct. (Nilgiri Tiger) Nov. = (Linnaeus) Oct. C & R Felder Nov. > >Dec. (Linnaeus)] (Common Nov. Moore[=Hestialyncens > Nov. >Oct. Moore Oct. = >Dec. (Linnaeus) (Common Oct. = >Dec. aristolochiae hector pandiyana

doson (Linnaeus)] Nov.

sarpedon tereden (Gray)] (Malabar Rose / Nov.

agamemnon

Tros aristolochiae Tros

Zetiges agamemnon Zetides sarpedon Graphium Libythea lepita Pachliopta Pachliopta Chilasa clytia Graphium Pachliopta Graphium Euploea core Tros hector Tros Danais nilgiriensis Idea malabarica Danais plexippus Tros jophon Tros 12. 7. Nymph / Floater Silver Paper Fly Spectre) Libytheidae 10. Papilionidae 11. Mime) Nov. (30-) (10+) 6. [= 9. (Moore & de Niceville)] Beak)(Common Nov.(30-) / damp places, gets easily frightened and flies off when protection Tiger / Striped Monarch Butterfly) (Common Indian Crow) Nov. 8. (Linnaeus)] (Tailed Jay) (Linnaeus)] (Tailed 13. and Felder [= (Common Jay) 15. (Fabricius) [= (Fabricius)] (Common Rose) [= 14. (Common Blue Bottle Triangle) 16. Felder = [ Butterfly [= Ceylon Rose) (Criimson Rose / Common Mormon) 17.

2106 December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 Butterflies of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve D.P. Ambrose & D.S. Raj on status species. abundant Citrus not rare and rare, not threatened very common, not as of common, not protected common, not protected very rare, needs rare, commercially CITES . P. aristolochiae P. P. hector P. Mimicry Conservati absent absent absent absent absent absent forest also over flowers, 2000m, frequents open forest, flight and associated habits foul smelling substances especially droppings e.g. tree tops to feed on flowers. very fast flier with wavering flight, hovers powerful, rapid and irregular flier, while resting, though wings occurs in plains and hills up to fast and strong on the wing throughout year, swarms during North-East monsoon (October to November), aggregate inhundreds in wet damp patches along road sides, river beds todrink water. minor pest (larvae) considered protected, clearings, damp patches etc. abundant during South-West monsoon.May. - April during swift and rapid flier with dipping flight, attracted to fermenting kept open white patches in the hind wings get concealed.otter, not found in dry and low rainfall areas, males often drinking on wet mud or sand at the commencement of monsoons, wings held horizontally at rest. moderate flier, flies close to the ground among bushes, hedges mimicks protected etc. but does not frequent wet places, males are swift fliers and than females. fast and straight flier, flying close to the ground often slow and roaring flier, usually above the trees, active during settles on dry twigs with closed wings, nervous and rapid whendisturbed, visits damp patches, mud puddles during hot weather. early morning hours, frequents shady places, comes down from protection in cited exploited Duration of flightof Mode 7-9 9-1 1-5 >Sep. - *** - >Sep. - ** * >Sep. - *** * >Sep. - *** * (100)>Sep. - *** or * (100) >Sep. ** ** ** (100) (10) (3000) (1000) (50+) (10+) (500+) >Nov. (25+) (10-) = >Dec. Months of abundance Oct. = =Dec. (5000) (100) (100-) (300-) Dec. (200-) (1000+) Oct. >Nov. -(30+) *** * Oct. > (40+) (10+) (5+) Dec. Triodes Esper (Spot Moore = Nov. >Oct. (Linnaeus) Oct. Cramer (Blue Oct. > >Dec. Linnaeus (Lime Oct. = >Dec. nomius

polytes

(Linnaeus)] Cramer [= Fabricius (Common nomius

minos crino polytes

helenus daksha demoleus polymnestor

helenus

(Linnaeus)] (Southern Birdwing) Papilio Papilio Papilio Pathysa Papilio Papilio Triodes Papilio Butterfly 20. [= / Lime Chequered Swallowtail) 18. * / ** *** indicate the relative abundance. Banded Peacock)19. / Lemon Butterfly Citrus Nov. Nov. (Red Helen) 21. 22. Mormon) Nov. (150+) (Common Mormon)23. Nov. 24. Sword tail / Five Bar Swordtail) helena

December 2005 Zoos' Print Journal 20(12): 2100-2107 2107

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