This is my very first attempt at the Butterflies of Western Ghats and more importantly in India. I was hoping to see some endemic butterflies but butterflies were hard to find, infact i came up with nothing on the endemics. Following is not a massive haul but a decent list of butterflies which i have encountered during the trip. Issac Kehimkar’s “Butterflies of India” field guide was used throughout the trip, it was handy and a must.
Chinnar
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has plenty of forest clearings, abundant Lantana plants which gave plenty of Butterflies. As per the trekking guides, October seems to be a fantastic time for the butterflies.
Lemon Pansy
Yellow Pansy
Lime Butterfly
Blue Butterfly
Indian Cabbage White
Marayoor which is at slightly higher elevation provided a slightly different variety. Although, the Crimson Rose was found throughout different elevations.
Crimson Rose
Sullied Sailor
As per Isaac Kehimkar’s field Guide, Sullied Sailor is been marked as orange which suggests its not an easy find. The checkpost at Pampadum shola park was wet and muddy, Southern Blue Bottle and Tawny Costers were making good use of the salts.
Tawny Coster
Double Delight (Tawny Costers)
Valparai
The dry run for butterflies finally came to an end at Valparai. The Manomboly power house village has a good forest clearing that produced some very nice looking butterflies,
White Hedge Blue
Red Pierrot
Rustic
Plain Tiger
Common Four Ring
Common Four Ring
Lesser Grass Blue
“Rustic” at the Manomboly RF guest house ultimately made the butterfly of the trip.
Species List :
- Southern Bluebottle
- Tailed Jay
- Common Rose
- Crimson Rose
- Southern Birdwing
- Lime Butterfly
- Common Grass Yellow
- Mottled Emigrant
- Plain Orange Tip
- Great Orange Tip
- Indian Cabbage White
- Common Jezebel
- Peablue
- Lesser Grass Blue
- Red Pierrot
- White Hedge Blue
- Plain Tiger
- Striped Tiger
- Common Four Ring
- Tawny Coster
- Indian Fritillary
- Rustic
- Sullied Sailor
- Blue Pansy
- Yellow Pansy
- Lemon Pansy
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