SWALLOWTAILS Ugyen Wangchuk Institute of Environment and Conservation © Copyright UWICE 2012
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Guide d l e i F to the SWALLOWTAILS Ugyen Wangchuk Institute of Environment and Conservation © Copyright UWICE 2012 Citation : Karma Wangdi, Sherub, Bumthang, UWICE Disclaimer : Any views or opinion interpreted in this publication are solely those of the Authors. They are not attributable to UWICE and the Royal Government of Bhutan; do not imply the expression of UWICE on any opinion concerning the legal status of any country, terri- tory, city or area of its authorities. Design by : Sonam Dorji Printed at : Kuensel Corporation Ltd. ISBN: Contact us at: Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation & Environment Lamai Goempa Post Box no: 155 Bumthang : Bhutan Telephone: +975-3-631926 Fax: +975-3-631925 Website: http://www.uwice.gov.bt UWICE The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment is Bhutan’s first research and education In- stitute for environmental conservation. We seek to un- derstand and uncover the ecological, socio-economic and policy dimensions of biophysical systems and their impact on human ecology. We pay special attention to understanding climate in Himalayan ecosystems. We conduct professional courses for both national and international participants in the areas of conservation biology, sustainable forestry, water resource managemen- tand socio-economic aspects in addition to offering one year certificate course inEnvironment, Forestry and Con- servation. We envision offering research based higherd- egrees in the above fields in close collaboration with the Royal University of Bhutan and other International Uni- versities. 3 4 Contents Acknowledgement 5 Introduction 6 Habits of Butterflies 7 How to use this book 9 External Anatomy 10 Species Details Bhutan Glory 14 Bhutan Ludlow’s Swallowtail 15 Common Blue Apollo Brown Gorgon Lesser Batwing Common Batwing Golden Birdwing Common Birdwing Glassy Bluebottle Common Bluebottle Red Helen Yellow Helen Tailed Jay Common Jay Great Jay Veined Jay 5 Common Mime Lesser Mime Tawny Mime Great Mormon Common Mormon Blue Peacock Krishna Peacock Paris Peacock Common Peacock Himalyan Common Raven Common Redbreast Tailed Redbreast Common Rose Spangle Lime Butterfly/Swallowtail Common Yellow Swallowtail Four Bar Swordtail Six Bar Swordtail Spectacle Swordtail Spot Swordtail Five Bar Swordtail Great Windmill Rose Windmill Common Windmill Lesser Zebra Great Zebra 6 Acknowledgement The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Environment and Conservation would like to dedicate this book to the elinghtened leadersihp of the Wangchuck dy- nasty in the conservation of Bhutan’s environment. It is thorugh thier visionary guidance that such books on Butterflies are produced as a result of thier effort. The recent rediscovery of the Bhutan’s Ludlowi Swallowtails prompted us to produce this book as not much of of the species has been known .We therefore like to acknowledge the Department of Forest and Park Services for giving the opportunity to study such rare species. The team from Tokyo University and USA provided various suggestions and identifications of Butterflies. 7 Introduction 8 8 Habits of Butterflies Seasonal variation: Many species of butterflies show seasonal variation during the year. The species produced two different forms which have different markings, colors and shapes. They are better demonstrated in Himalayasv where spring and Autumn broods occur and you can ob- serve two distinct forms. Camouflage mimicry: Butterflies generally have brightly colored upperside wings. When the close vthier wings, the underside is usually dull in shape, color and pattern which are perfect for comoufalge purposes. Protective Mimicry: Many Butterflies accumulate toxic and poisonous chemicals from their larval food plants. They are usually bright colored which are meant to scare away the predators. Common Rose and Common Wind- mill are two such species which feed on Aristolochia which is a poisionous plants. Some other butterflies mim- ic these toxic species in appearance through their wing patterns, colors and shapes although they don’t feed on poisonous plants. Patrolling and Hilltopping: Some males of butterfly spe- cies have territorial behavior and remain associated with certain assorted food plants. These males usually perches on prominent positions such as tree tops from where they make sorties after flying objects. If they view a receptive female below, they start courtship and intruding males are chased away to defend their territory. 9 Basking: Butterflies usually bask in early morning sun and in the evening before sunset as they are cold blooded and do not produce metabolic heat to regulate the body temperature. Flying requires very large amount of energy and is possible only if the flight muscles have reached a temperature of 30% C. So therefore they gain the tem- perature by basking in the sun. Gully-bottoming: Some butterfly species congregate in large numbers in shady areas and riverbeds during the hottest time of the day to cool themselves and avoid des- iccation. These large congregation also helps them to at- tract females. Floating : This phenomenon has observed in just few species like the Jays. The species slowly glides over surface of shallow, non-turbulent, slow running water in forest streams under shade to cool themselves in hottest time of the day. At certain times, they float on the surface of the water for a few metres along with the current before flying away. The water flows from their smooth metallic scales thereby keeping the butterfly dry. Mud-puddling : Males of many species of butterflies as- semble on spots of ground contaminated with animal urine, excreate or even human sweats. They absorb es- sential minerals such as sodium that has been lost dur- ing copulation in the form of sperms. The excess aborbed water is thrown out of the abdomen in the form of drop- lets. Some species exude water to moisten the dry ground surface on which the minerals are present and suck the minerals thereafter. 10 How to use this book This pictorial book consists of 42 species of Swallotails butterflies that are found in Bhutan. While there may more unidentified species, the present list atleast gives readers the current status of the species. Each page con- tains the desciption of the butterfly. Attempt has been made to provide the dorsal and ventral view for easy indentifcation in the field. To aid ameteurs, a skeletal description of the external anatomy of the butterfly has provided. Whereever possible, pictures of the butterflies on thier host plants has also been given to grasp the natu- ral behaviour and habits. The maps provided also give a glimpse of thier probable habitats in Bhutan. Please do note that the wing span of the buterflies has been provided so that readers can estimate the size of the butterflies. We hope that you enjoy the book and happy butterfly watching!!! 11 External Anatomy Head Thorax Abdomen Prothorax Mesothorax Ocellus Metathorax Antenna Labial Palp Proboscis Spiracle Trochanter Spiracle Femur Tibia Tibial spine Tarsus Metatarsus Adult Thorax Abdomen Metathorax Mesothorax Prothorax Ocelli Antenna Spiracles Prolegs Proleg Anus Thoracic legs Larvae Head Prothorax Eye Prothoracic spiracle Proboscis Labial palp Mesothorax Foreleg Antenna Metathorax Wing case Spiracles Genital aperture Anus Cremaster External structures of Adult, Larva and Pupa Pupa 12 Parts of Butterfly wings and thier venation Forewing Hindwing Apex Costa Base Apex Costa Cell Termen Cell Termen Discal Area Base Dorsum Dorsum Tornus Tornus Forewing Hindwing Apical Prothoracic spiracle Subapical Costal vein Postdiscal Subcostal vein Median vein Discal Submedian vein Marginalarea Post basal Costal vein SubcostalMedian vein veinSubmedian vein Basal area 13 14 Species Details 15 Bhutan Glory Species : Bhutanitis lidderdalii Status : rare Author : (Atkinson, 1873) Wingspan : 90 -110 mm 16 Life History of Bhutan Glory Egg Instar Instar 5th Instar Pupa Adult 17 Bhutan Ludlow’s Swallowtail Species : Bhutanitis ludlowi Status : endemic & endangered Author : Gabriel, 1942 Wingspan : 90 -110 mm 18 Common Blue Apollo Species : Parnassius (Tadumia) hardwickii Status : common Author : Fabricius, 1908 Wingspan : 50 - 60 mm 19 Brown Gorgon Species : Meandrusa lachinus Status : common Author : Westwood, 1841 Wingspan : 110 -130S mm Swallowtails were named after seeing the bird Swallows whose tails are similar to the Swallowtails. 20 Lesser Batwing Species : Atrophaneura aidoneus Status : common Author : Fabricus 1787 Wingspan : 112 -116 mm The Mormons were named after the Mormon sect of America who practiced polygamy. The Common Mormon were first but- terfly to get the Mormon name as they have three different fe- male forms. 21 Common Batwing Species : Atrophaneura varuna Status : common Author : Westwood, 1842 Wingspan : 90 -110 mm Swallowtails were named after seeing the bird Swallows whose tails are similar to the Swallowtails. 22 Common Birdwing Species : Troides helena Status : common Author : C. & R.Felder, 1865 Swallowtails were named after seeing the bird Swallows whose tails are similar to the Swallowtails. 23 Golden Birdwing Species : Troides helena Status : common Author : C. & R.Felder, 1860 The Mormons were named after the Mormon sect of America who practiced polygamy. The Common Mormon were first but- terfly to get the Mormon name as they have three different fe- males. 24 Glassy Bluebottle Species : Graphium cloanthus Status : common Author : Westwood, 1841 The Mormons were named after the Mormon sect of America who practiced polygamy. The Common Mormon were first but- terfly