02 Fauna and Flora

8/13/2019 02 Fauna and Flora

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BUTTERFLIES OF SOUTH INDIA


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Butterflies origin

About three-quarters of all animal species are insects

The origin of butterflies and moths goes back to the time of

dinosaurs, in the Mesozoic Era (230 to 63 million years ago).

The earliest caterpillar fossils date back 100 million years


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ERA PERIOD Millions of

years

CENOZOIC(Age

of Mammals andman

Quaternary 2

Tertiary 68

MESIZONIC

(Age of

Reptiles)

Cretaceous 65

Jurassic 45

Triassic 45

PALAEOZIC

(Age of

invertebrates

and primitive

vertebrates

Permian 55

Carboniferous

80

Devonian

and lower

periods

250

Flowering

Plants

Butterflies

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles


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Giant forms are the Birdwing butterflies and Atlas moths living in Asia at present

none of which have a wingspan in excess of 30cm. They were sharing the planet

with giant dragonfly Meganeura monyi, with a wingspan of over 65 cm.

Butterflies, account for about 18,000 of these species.

The early butterflies were probably dull in colour, mainly brown and white, with

little of the variety and splendor seen in modern forms

Birdwing Butterfly Atlas moth


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Difference between moth and butterfly

Description Butterfly Moth

Antennae tip Clubbed Comb, feather or filamentous

Pupae Pupate in open Pupate inside cocoon

Wing

colouration

Bright coloured Nocturnal moth plain brown, grey, white

or black with patterns. Day flying moths

are colorful

Body slender and smoother

abdomens

Stout and hairy or furry


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Wing scales Fine Bigger

Active Day Night

Restingposture

Closed andopened

Spread out to sides or closedto the body

Description Butterfly Moth


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Moths


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Smallest

&

Biggest

Small Tongeia Filicaudis

(1.6 cm)

Queen Alexandra birdwing(31 cm)

Grass Jewel (2.2 cm)

Southern Birdwing (19 cm)


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Fascinating Butterfly facts

Description RemarkLargest distance of migration (w) 4635 kms (Monarch)

Longest non stop flight (w)

Longest gliding

465 km

1000 hours

Fastest and slowest butterfly flight (w) 48 and 8 kmph

Highest flight of butterfly (I) Large Cabbage White (Pierisbrassicae),3660 m

Flightless Butterfly (w) Female Wood Nymph

Gynandromorpf (butterfly which is half

male and half female) (w)

Apollo, Common Blue,

Androgeus Swallowtail etc


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Life Cycle


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Egg

Females lay their eggs on or very near to the food plant site it is carefully chosen,

by touch, smell, taste and sight

Most species lay their eggs singly and cement them to the plant by a sticky

secretion.

The eggs are usually laid on a particular part of the plant, on the leaves, flowerheads or in crevices in the bark.

Common Mime Common RosePioneer


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Larva

The larva has a head followed by 13 trunk segments of which the first three

are regarded as the thorax and the remainder the abdomen.

The larvae feed on plant material which is relatively tough to a small insect.

Blue Tiger Angled CasterCrimson Rose


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Main visual organs being the lateral ocelli, these are arranged in two groups of six.

One group on either side of the head

Head also bears a pair of short, stubby antennae. The three segments of thethorax each have a pair of short jointed legs which end in a single claw.

Common Banded Awl

Droppings of the larvae are discrete oval structures and are referred to as frass


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Abdomen has ten fleshy rings or segments, five of these bearing a pair of false

legs or prolegs

Hampsons Hedge Hopper


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End of larval life is marked by another moult which gives rise to a pupa or

chrysalis.

During the pupal period much of the larval tissue is remoulded to give rise to adult

structures, particularly the wings, mouth parts and reproductive organs.

Pupa

Angled Castor Tawny Coaster Common Red Eye


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The pupa is immobile and neither eats nor drinks since the mouth and anus are

sealed over. The only functional openings in the pupal case are the spiracles

which permit the exchange of respiratory gases

In some butterflies the pupa is naked but it is then usually protectively coloured

Common EmigrantCrimson Rose Grass Demon


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Clipper


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Adult (imago)

First frees its legs and antennae and after a short while withdraws the rest ofits body.

Immediately after emergence the wings are soft and crumpled.

Moves to a place from where its wings can hang downwards and body fluids

forced into them

Red Pierrot


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Time of adult emergence varies, it may occur early in the morning or in theevening; in the latter case they rest until the next day before becoming active

Duration of the life cycle varies in different species. Some may have a single

complete generation in a year whilst others have two or even more.

Unfavorable climatic conditions such as the winter in temperate regions or thedry season in the tropics often necessitate an interruption in the life cycle. .


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Red Pierrot


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Common Acacia Blue


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Common Mime


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Coloration


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Gynandromorph

(Half Male and Half Female)

Common BlueAndrogeus Swallowtail


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Wing Scale Details
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/SEM_image_of_a_Peacock_wing%2C_slant_view_4.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/SEM_image_of_a_Peacock_wing%2C_slant_view_3.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/SEM_image_of_a_Peacock_wing%2C_slant_view_2.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/SEM_image_of_a_Peacock_wing%2C_slant_view_1.JPG


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Structural

Scale Pigments


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Variation

Geographical

These variation occurs due to type of food plant available, the soil type or

geology, the altitude or latitude.

Seasonal

Butterflies which produce more than one brood during a year frequently exhibit

seasonal variation, especially if the different broods occur in widely different

climatic conditions. In temperate regions there may be differences between the

spring (vernal) and summer (aestival) forms of the same species as WSF and

DSF

Genetic

Sexual dimorphism, or differences in the appearance of the male and female, is

the most familiar example of genetically produced variation. In some species

there may be very little difference between the sexes, but females are usually

larger than their corresponding males


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Patrolling and hill toppingMostly male butterflies wait on the hill tops for the females to appear. While

waiting they do patrolling from late morning to mid afternoon in sunny days.

(Common Crows, Great Eggfliy, Pancies,Grass Yellow, Tawny Coaster)

Gully bottoming

Opposite of Hill topping. Many butterflies gather in sheltered gullies and drying

stream beds during summer. They mudpuddle and search for mates also.

(milkweed butterflies)


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Courtship

Courtship displays are different in many species. Some even spread

pheromones to attract the mate. Newly hatched males gather for mudpuddling toget required minerals to transfer it to female while mating.

Mudpuddling

Several hundred of males of one or more species sitting on damp puddles or

mud banks sucking salts and minerals along with water. Almost all species

mudpuddle. Common Jezebel does not seem to mudpuddle


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Camouflage that blends in with their surroundings.

Bright colors that fl ash and startle predators.

Flying fast and/or flying in a zigzag pattern.

Becoming toxic to predators by eating toxic food

plants as a caterpillar.

Methods of Self Defense


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Resembling a toxic butterfly to confuse predators.

Making noises to startle predators.

Giving off bad smells


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Mimicry

Certain species are unpleasant, unpalatable or inedible to predators such as

birds and other vertebrate enemies of butterflies

These species are coloured with conspicuous patterns of 'warning' colours

which are recognized and avoided by the predators

Harmless and quite palatable butterflies have evolved similar colour patternsand so derive protection because predators mistake them for the unpalatable

species and leave them alone.

The unpalatable butterflies are normally referred to as 'models'

while the palatable species that resemble them are called 'mimics' .


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Types of mimicry

Batesian mimicry

In which there is an unpalatable model species and a palatable mimic

Model Mimic


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Mllerian mimicryTwo or more unpalatable, and often unrelated, species have evolved the

same colour pattern and seen them in groups

False mimicryUnless two butterflies occur in the same part of the world, they cannot be

mimetically associated

Blue Tiger Glassy Tiger


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Migration

Butterflies migrate in tens of thousands in a particular direction one way.

Only successive generation return

Monarch butterflies fly north to Canada and then return to south as far as Mexico.


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One of the main reason is for survival of the group and next generation

It takes place because of seasonal changes and shortage of food

Day length, rainfall and temperature changes triggers their movement


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Types

Short distance (in hills)

Long distance (Western Ghats to Eastern Ghats to avoid monsoon and return

to W. Ghats)

Crimson Rose butterflies flock between India and Srilanka

Dispersal: in search of food by the new generation


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Monarch

Striped Tiger


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Seven major Zoogeographical regions of the world

Zoogeographically South India has virtually the entire fauna that is oriental in

origin.

There are few Palaearctic,Palaeotropical and Afrotropical occur in this region

Zoogeographical Regions


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Ten types of Indian Biogeography

16 types of vegetation in India

Biogeography


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18,000 species in the world

1,501 in India

321 Skippers

107 Swallow Tails109 Whites and Yellows

521 Brush Footed

443 Blues


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SkippersBlues

Swallow Tails Whites & Yellows

Brush Footed


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Blues Brush Footed


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Watching butterflies


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Where to watch

Few Sun lovers basking in open meadowsWoodlands edge

Forest

Dampen earth patches

Around waterfalls

How to attract butterflies

Planting flowering Plants

Using baits.

Rotting fruits, dead crab or prawns, bird droppings, animal

dung and urine, sap oozing out fro trees


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Photographing butterflies


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Second best way to appreciate these winged beauties are photographing

them. Its also best way to record the diversity when encountering similar

looking ones like Blues and Sailors

They are shy and takeoff quickly with a small disturbances like rustling of

leaves


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Its a fascinating experience to photograph these easily approachable jewels in

their natural habitat and looking through the lens adds more enthusiasm in this

pursuit including the behavioral aspects

They start flitting sluggishly after an hour from sunrise. This is the best time to

approach with some patience an and art of stalking we can get closer and we

must avoid any act as an intruder

We can capture other related aspects like different stages of their metamorphosisand their habitat


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12:20

12:53

Understating their behavior and habitat


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Lenses


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Lighting

A oid Harsh Light


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Avoid Harsh Light


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Flash

Bouncers (White Cards, Reflectors)

Diffusers

Ring flash

TTL Flash


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Post processing the image

Adjusting sharpness, little contrast, color correction (should match with

natural hues) and white balance would suffice to produce anappealing image.

Crop the image for further reduction of file size. After resizing by

sharing them in the WWW an unknown butterfly could be identified by

posting them in butterfly forums for experts comment

B t ti b tt fl h t h


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Best practice butterfly photography

Composition

Angles

Exposure + & -

Focus key features

Patience

Freeze

Venture

Never harm or stress the butterfly for your best shot. True naturephotographers skill lies in making a best shot without touching it and

leaving the place when butterfly is still at its ease

A dedicated adventurous photographer who invests


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A dedicated adventurous photographer who invests

enough time, patience and perseverance would be

rewarded with awesome photos

Tips for butterfly gardening


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Tips for butterfly gardening

Translocate wild plants to your garden during monsoon

Sprinkle over ripen fruits like jack fruit, pineapple, guava, banana in the

garden


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Prepare saline and dampen patches to attract them for mudpuddling

Shelter for pupating and perches with bushes and dense shrubs to protectingthemselves from wind and rain

Rocks and wooden logs can be used for them to bask


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Planting Rattle pod and Indian Turnsole(Heliotropium) will attract some

male butterflies

Wild plants like coat button and pink Lantanna will be inviting them in large

numbers.


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Instead of pesticides insecticides and

herbicides use mild solution of insecticidalsoap water to wade of plant pests

Planting flowering plants in large group

instead of single plant with more flowers

will increase the stay of the butterflies in

your garden

Conservation Measures


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Conservation Measures

Butterflies have acquired a prominent place in human history by their

attractiveness and diversity.

They are effective pollinators and act as indicator for environmental health

And play important roll in ecological balance .

Scientific research of different interests.

Apart from their roll in the food web there are natural and manmade threats

still exist and increasing alarmingly. This needs to be addressed effectively.

Natural threats : Parasitoids, Parasites and predators

Man made threats : collection, habitat destruction, grazing, fire and

pesticides.


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Usage of chemical fertilizers to be restricted

Fire management strategies to be adapted


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Butterfly Park- Singapore


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Butterfly Park Singapore

Butterfly hot spots in India


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Butterfly hot spots in India

Eastern Himalayas

Western HimalayasGangetic plains

Peninsular India

Eastern Ghats

Western Ghats

North east

North west

Islands


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utterfly parks in India

Name State locationBannerghatta Butterfly

Park

Karnata 22 km south

of Bangalore

Shimla Butterfly park Himachal

pradesh

15 km from

Shimla

Sarthana Nature park Gujarat Surat

Pune Butterfly park Maharashtra Pune City

New Delhi Butterfly

Park

New Delhi Lodhi

GardensChandigarh butterfly

Park

Chandigarh Sector 26

Arignar Anna

Zoological Park

Tamilnadu Vandalur

(Chennai)

Butterfly Study In India


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Period Contributor Area Remarks

1767 Johann Gerhard Koenig South India Probably first ever

scientifically described 35butterfly species in the

world are from south India.

Specimens are still

preserved .

Carl Von Linne

Fabricius

Pieter Cramer

Systema Natura

1800 Publications of

Natural History Societies

like Journ al of the Asiat ic

Society of Bengal

Journal of Natural History

Society

Journ al of Natural HistorySociety

Journ al of Natural History

Society

Indian region

Sir Gorge Hampson(1888) Nilgiries-

Wayanad

First systematic account

of Nilgiri butterflies

Butterfly Study In India

Some books on Indian Butterflies


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Title Author Publisher

The Book of Indian

Butterflies

Isaac Kehimkar Bombay Natural

history

Butterflies Of Peninsular

India

(Paperback - 2000)

Krushnameg Kunte University Press

Butterflies Of India(WWF

Nature Guides)

Thomas Gay,

Isaac Kehimkar,

Jagdish Punetha

WWF-India

Butterflies Of The Indian

Region

Blyth Wynter Today & Tomorrow's

Printers & Publishers

Some books on Indian Butterflies

My Contributions in WWW


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http://www.treknature.com/members/vral/photos/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26798673@N07/

http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view_cat.php?tag=Gowtham%20V

vral

vral1

Gowtham V

My Contributions in WWW

Look out for more Workshops


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Look out for more Workshops

Bites & Stings

Insects

BirdingSnakes


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"I've watched you now a full half-hourself-poised upon that yellow flowerand, little butterfly indeedI know not if you sleep or feed..."

William Wordsworth

Thank [email protected]

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02 Fauna and Flora