BUTTERFLY MIGRATION (IN SOUTH INDIA)

Nov. 18, 2018

A citizen science project has been launched to map the migratory path of butterflies in south India, making it the first such initiative in the country.

About:

Path and season: Usually butterfly migration starts during October-November with the onset of the northeast monsoon, from the plains to the ghats, and during April-May, just before the advent of the southwest monsoon, from the ghats to the plains.
Agencies involved: It is a joint initiative of The Ferns Naturalists’ Society (FNS), Wayanad, Travancore Natural History Society (TNHS), and the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS).
Dominant species: A recent study revealed that four species of milkweed butterflies are mainly involved in the migration — the Dakhan Dark Blue Tiger, Oriental Blue Tiger, Double-branded Black Crow and Indian Common Crow.
Need of the study:
- Butterfly migration is one of the least studied natural phenomena in the country. What is needed is a careful documentation of migration over a prolonged period from a given area.
- For this, a wide network and coordination among butterfly watchers from different localities are needed. That’s why the initiative has been launched.