The Western Ghats are a diverse mountain range, from the humans that occupy its valleys and forested slopes, to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians there is endless variety and mystique. Adding vibrant color and playfulness to the landscape are the resplendent butterflies. The bounty of the Western ghats harbors over 340 species of butterflies from its northern most point in southern Gujarat to its southern most point in Tamil Nadu, near Kanyakumari. Even this year, a new butterfly species was reported from Megamalai and surely others remain to be discovered.
Wherever you have lived or visited in the world, you probably saw a few butterflies, at least in the summer. How many times have you seen caterpillars? Probably not as often. Because caterpillars one of the prime foods for birds, wasps, spiders and lizards, hence to stay hidden from their prey they are well camouflaged. Of course, the most important aspect of being a caterpillar - is eating, which they take very seriously. They are very choosy about which leaves they eat. A sudden loss of a small woody patch, of what may appear to be weed-like plants may result in local loss of this species as they rely on specific host plants. The adults too have preferences for which flowers they visit for nectar, which is why you can’t find all butterflies everywhere. Uttara Kannada can still boast of intact forest areas with pristine habitats across elevation gradients maintaining a lot of native plants, shrubs and vines. At the Niche we have recorded over 120 species with that number rising every year. Our wooded surroundings and the reserve forest across the stream provides food, nectar, leaf litter, animal scat and nutritious mud for puddling and a gradient of canopy shades that meet the needs of various butterfly species.
Some of the butterflies at the Niche give room for our thoughts to turn from wonder to observation, as they are not in a hurry. Take the black and white patterned Malabar Tree Nymph (Idea malabarica), it’s the state butterfly of Goa, and has the laziest flight amongst it’s kind. One could follow them right up across the stream to where they congregate at the end of winter for breeding. Their favored vine for laying eggs grows there. Even the large Blue mormons (Papilio polymnestor) hang around long enough at eye level for us to revel in their silvered blue patterns. Males and females are seen commonly on the pagoda flowers in front of our dining area.
Alas, not all butterflies are as accommodating. The fast flashy flight of the Tailed jay (Graphium agamemnon)or the Narrow-banded Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) are a good way to interrupt a dull conversation. The human tendency to like anything majestic, especially with tiger like stripes, is sufficient for us to stand in awe as the Southern Birdwing (Troides minos) deigns to nectar on our pagoda flowers (Clerodendrum paniculatum). It’s the largest butterfly in India, it usually flies pretty high up, keeping away from us lesser mortals, flashing the most beautiful yellow gold splattered on its hindwings. I promise the tiger’s shade of orange fades in comparison. This butterfly brings out the competitive spirit of our sunbirds here who sing loudly to claim their dominance, flying from flower to flower in a tizz. Having a butterfly compete with them in size for the same food probably is a little jarring to these birds even if it’s the state butterfly of Karnataka.
The comparison between birds and butterflies goes on with the two more butterfly species and a bird, the butterflies have the same iridescent base color in their wings as peacocks and are named after them. We do have a group of resident peacocks, who in monsoon sport long flowing tails and make their shrill KAAAAUUUU KAAAAUU calls that can startle anyone. And since the Niche is home to herpers, we are a little wary of peacocks who can stamp on our small Malabar pit vipers (Craspedocephalus malabaricus), the defenseless shieldtails (Uropletis sp.) and eat them for dinner. Whereas the silently charismatic Paris Peacock or Tamil Peacock (Papilio paris tamilana) and the Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio buddha), with iridescent blues on their upper wings are a delight. Their flight is fluttery, but not berserk and they enjoy the nectar slowing down ever so slightly to relish it, the battles are won for a reason.
Then we have Common Emigrants (Catopsila pomona) in all their morphs for the drama. They are constantly fighting off other smaller or same sized butterflies, from Malabar Ravens (Papilio dravidarum) to Common Mormons (Papilio polytes) from the other flowering shrubs we have, the fire flame or Dhatki bush. This bush is also favored by the cryptic, brown colored Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita), who diligently find the flowers torn by bees or birds, so that they can slide their proboscis in. The tubular flowers are otherwise too long for their proboscis to reach the nectar. The otherwise rare Rustic (Cupha erymanthus) is rather common here as it nectars on the Jethropa flowers and sometimes on the Dhatki bush.
Being small has many advantages for speed and camouflage, but competing with bigger insects for food isn’t for the tiny ones. Smaller butterflies like the Chestnut Bob (Lambrix salsala), Three, Four or Five ringed butterflies (Ypthima spp.), even an awlet (Burara sp.)or two go for the small white or pink flowers on our ground covers, completely avoiding the pagoda and the fire flame bush.
From the largest and relatively uncommon: Southern Birdwing, Malabar Banded Peacock, Paris Peacock, to Grass Darts and Swifts, sprinkled with the commoners such as, Emigrants, Mormons and Crows, the Niche offers a range of opportunities in photography and observation.
Amatya Sharma & Ishita Das
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