Winged beauties under threat

A recent study has revealed that of the 1,677 species and subspecies found in India, more than one-fourth are either threatened or endangered.

Common Birdwing, the largest butterfly found in the country.

Writer Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote: “Happiness is like a butterfly, which when pursued is always just beyond your grasp.”

Since time immemorial, butterflies have been the subject of poetry and literature.They serve a far more practical purpose in nature. Referred to as “flagship species,” butterflies are not only pollinators of flowering plants, but are also useful in monitoring environmental changes.

A recent study by the scientists of the Zoological Survey of India, (ZSI) has revealed that of the 1,677 species and subspecies found in India, more than one-fourth (close to 425) are either threatened or endangered.

Of the 425 species of butterflies, 123 species and subspecies of butterflies are included under Schedule- I (Part- IV) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while 302 subspecies and species are under Scheduled II (Part II) of the Act.

Manual being readied

Measures are being taken to publish a manual for identification of the threatened 123 species and sub-species, ZSI Director K. Venkataraman told

The Hindu .

“We will train managers and forest officials who can help in the protection of these butterflies. The handbook will serve as a practical training module for those interested in the subject,” Mr. Venkataraman said.

Bulganin Mitra, a butterfly expert at the ZSI, said their migration behaviour, seasonal variation, mating behaviour, colouration, prey-predator relationship, butterfly-flower association, are some of the most interesting subjects on which the biologists are conducting research.

“The largest known Indian butterfly is Common Birdwing ( Triodes Helena) , with a maximum expanse of 190 mm. It can measure 32 cm from wingtip to wingtip and is bigger than a small bird,” Mr. Mitra said.

Among the threatened species are also butterflies like the Andaman King Crow ( Euploea roepstorffi) , which are found only in the Andaman Islands.