Rare White Tufted Royal Butterfly
Recently a rare species of butterfly has been seen in Kaliyar (Kerala).Earlier this species was seen in Agasthyakoodam and Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Lepidoptera is a large order of insects. Apart from butterflies and moths and kites, many insects come in it.
- The life cycle of Lepidoptera consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). Adult butterflies have large and often brightly colored wings.
- Recently a Himalayan butterfly popularly known as ‘Golden Birdwing’ (Troides aix) has been discovered as the largest butterfly of India after 88 years.
Significance:
- Rich Biodiversity: The abundance of butterflies in any region represents the rich biodiversity.
- Indicator Species: The butterfly acts as an indicator species. (An indicator species provides information on the overall state of the ecosystem and the other species in that ecosystem.) It also reflects quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition.
- Pollinator: It acts as pollinator by helping in pollination and protection of many species of plants.
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary-
- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kollam district of Kerala state, India. It is in the Western Ghats and is part of the Agasthyamala Protected Biosphere.
- This wildlife sanctuary was established on 25 August 1984 and is spread over 172.403 km² (66.565 sq mi).
- Its name is a distorted form of a tree named Chengurinji found here. The sanctuary has an artificial lake of 18.69 km² and is also the reservoir of the Thenmala Dam.
Source – The Hindu
