Pattampoochi Butterfly Magazine - Wings 2 Veins 3 2018

2018 Quarterly Magazine of Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society Jul-Sep 2018

PATTAMPOOCHI

Q3

A Repeat Survey of Kodaikanal WLS Migration Update: Lime Butterfly outburst & Milkweeds Butterfly Walk: Navamalai Butterfly Walk: Deviyar Estate A good beginning from Kallar Caterpillar– The Eating Machine Chromolaena odorata: A serious invasive weed that is preferred by butterflies for nectar In News Monsoon Magic from the Western Ghats

Common Mime

PATTAMPOOCHI

Dear Butterfly Lovers, வணக்கம் [Greetings].

The second quarter of the year had its moments with respect to butterflies. The rains are closely associated with butterflies and the good rains continued into the second quarter too with some districts like Coimbatore had record rains for the corresponding period in the last 100 years or so. While the Danainae migration continued into this quarter too, Lime Butterflies made a grand show in Coimbatore and The Nilgiris district.

TNBS was fortunate to conduct a repeat survey on birds and butterflies of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary in the month of April 2018. The combined figures of butterflies jumped to 161 species and birds too reported good numbers. Certain pockets of the WLS was extremely good with respect to butterfly species and counts. They are from reasonably lower elevation and those unspoilt areas, we hope, are protected the way, they are done now. We have added a brief note on the migration of Tigers and Crows and also covered in details the outburst of Lime Butterfly in the Western parts of Tamil Nadu.

We encourage naturalists to share their butterfly walk experiences; these not only become an enjoyable and virtual experience, it also helps bringing the hidden hotspots and gems into the limelight. This issue has three of such walks covered; first by Mr. Balakrishnan on his exploration of Navamalai, second by Mr. Amol Mande on his 10 Km trekking exercise to Deviyar estate which can be accessed only by foot and the last by Mr. Vishvajit Kadam on his first encounter with the beautiful Kallar. All of them have narrated their experiences very interestingly. Mr. Theivaprakasham Hari does lot of work on lifecycles and he has penned an article on the Caterpillars which are usually called as Eating Machine. A small note on the weed plant– Chromolaena odorata on how it is able to attract butterflies of all families is presented. Mr. Viswanathan and Mr. Gopalakrishnan have shared their monsoon magic moments of the butterflies through their lenses. The section” In News” is continuing from the last issue. Selective representative images from the FB pages from all those contributors for the preceding quarter forms the last section of this issue.

We hope you enjoy going through this Newsletter and looking forward to your valuable feedback. We believe that the News Letter belongs to every one of us and expect more contribution from all our members going forward . Please write to tamilnadubutterflies@gmail.com

Editorial Team Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society Pattampoochi– A quarterly magazine of Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society Wings 2 Veins 3 Jul – Sep 2018. Issued on 01.07.2018 Issued from Coimbatore, TN For Private Circulation Only. Copy right is with TNBS. Please write to us for getting permission to use any of the contents Editor: A Pavendhan Editorial Team: Balakrishnan R, Gopalakrishnan S, Nishanth CV, Theivaprakasham H , Viswanathan S

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

4

1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

A survey on the birds and butterflies present in the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS, henceforth) was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Murugan, IFS, DFO and Dr. Ravi, Ranger in the 8 ranges and reserved forests of KWLS to draw a baseline status during 5th and 6th of August 2017. (Please refer our earlier Newsletter, Wings 1 Veins 4 2017 for complete details) It was decided at the end of first survey, a periodical survey is essential to cover species emerging all seasons. Hence, repeat survey was planned for 4 important ranges- Berijam, Poomparai, Devadhanapatti and Perumpallam (the other ranges will be covered soon). The survey was planned to be held on 29 th April 2018 under the guidance of DFO and IDP Range and respective Range FROs. Participants for the survey reached Kodaikanal on Saturday evening (28 th April 2018 evening) and assembled at the District Forest Office, Kodaikanal. All the participants were briefed about the Kodaikanal WLS and the need for the current survey by the Ranger Mr. Ravi and other FD officials. Detailed instructions on general aspects, study instructions, field notes and checklists were provided by organising co-ordinators. After receiving best wishes for the survey success, teams were sent to the respective range offices for the night stay, so as to be ready and up for the survey on next day morning.

The teams were sent to Poomparai, Berijam, Perumpallam and Devadhanapatti. All teams were accompanied by forest officials to the field and helped in the assessment on study day. The teams recorded their observation on the field notes provided and later transferred the data to Checklists provided. Stay and food arrangements were provided by the Department and the hospitality extended is of the highest quality. All teams have experienced generally dry and hot sunny conditions and the cloud cover was minimal.

Teams have assembled back to Kodaikanal FD office in the evening, which was followed by results consolidations and concluding meeting. Individual teams shared their experiences, followed by briefing from Dr. Ravi, Ranger. It was a happy end to all and the study, a grand success !

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

5

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A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Tawny Rajah PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

6

1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Detailed Observation- Butterflies On an overall count, 122 species of butterflies from 5 families were recorded during the survey comprising all ranges, habitation and elevation Falling on the period of peak summer, during April, this number is considered good. We can also keep it in mind that there were sporadic rains during march and April, the summer rains especially. This could have helped the cause of butterflies. While, the non-survey ranges probably contributed to the drop in overall ranges, all the ranges surveyed now showed an increase in count compared to August 2017 survey. Devadhanapatti Range seems to be the hotspot.

Good number of common species and count is observed from low to medium elevation ranges, while certain rarities showed up on the mid-elevation and the higher elevation returned specialities of their range. A few groups of butterflies were however seen missing in total or in numbers in various locations.

Nymphalidae dominated the species count, followed by Lycaenidae and Pieridae (mainly due to species count from lower elevations) and joined by Hesperiidae and Papilionidae.

Most dominating species are Common Bluebottle, Blue Mormon, Dingy Scrub Hopper, Nilgiri Tiger and Nilgiri Clouded Yellow in the lower and upper hills of higher elevation places.

Papilionidae: 11 out of 19 swallowtails were recorded with all butterflies with common name of Malabar missing. The higher elevation saw plenty of Southern Bluebottle, Red Helen, and Blue Mormon. Surprisingly commonly seen Swallowtails were missing in the higher elevation while lower and middle saw all the dominant swallowtails including the Jays and Bluebottles, Roses (Common & Crimson) and the Common Mormons. Good sightings include Common Mime and Common Banded Peacock Pieridae: 20 out of 32 Pieridae species were recorded which is a good species count thanks to the lower elevations where tips and albatross dominated. On the higher elevation, Nilgiri Clouded Yellow, Indian Cabbage White were the two species recorded easily while Grass Yellows- Common and Small and Emigrants are hard to find by. The lower elevation accounted for most of the other species and this is understandable since the habitation of Pieridae is well found on the lower elevation. Species to miss out include Arabs, White Orange-tip and Lesser Gulls from the last survey. Species like Painted Sawtooth and Puffins and Chocolate Albatross along with Nilgiri Clouded Yellow are yet to be sighted within the sanctuary.

Nymphalidae: 45 out of 96 are recorded from this family, which is most dominant among other species. Beaks, Tigers, Crows, Bushbrowns, Treebrowns and Evening browns, Rings, Pansies, Sailers are all well represented. Nilgiri Tigers, Palni Fritillaries were the dominant in the higher elevation while the other species were fairly commonly seen in the other elevations. Rarities and good sighting include Nilgiri Tiger, Red-disc Bushbrown (another dominant species), Blackvein Sergeant, Cruiser, Map butterfly, Tawny Rajah, Nilgiri Four-ring, Painted Courtesan, Common Map, Black Prince, Indian Red Admiral and Blue Admiral Lycaenidae: Although Blues were the second dominant family after Nymphalidae, the species count was low at 33 against the target of 94 species. The Grass Blues were seen in good numbers in the lower as well as in higher (to a lesser degree). Only the commonly seen Lineblues- Common and Tailless were seen, with just one Nacaduba occurring at Devadhanapatti. Hedge Blues- especially White and White-disc were commonly seen in the higher elevation while Common in the other elevation. Good and rare sightings include Yamfly, Leafblue, Silverstreak Blue and Opaque Six-Lineblue.

Riodinidae: There are 2 species in this family- Plum Judy and Double-banded Judy and they are not sighted during the survey period.

Hesperiidae: Because of their nature, usually active in the early morning and evenings, these are difficult to sight usually.

During the survey, only 13 of 83 species were sighted. Dingy Scrub Hopper was abundant everywhere on the higher elevation, literally. Flats and Awls were reasonably represented, so too some of the swifts and darts. Important sightings include Orange-striped Awlet and Orange Awlet at the lower elevation

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

List of Consolidated Butterflies sighted at Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary - (161 species)

S. No

Species

Aug-17

Apr-18

Overall

Papilionidae: Swallowtails 1

Southern Bluebottle

x

x

x

2

Common Jay

x

x

x

3

Tailed Jay

x

x

x

4

Spot Swordtail

x

5

Common Rose

x

x

x

6

Crimson Rose

x

x

x

7

Southern Birdwing

x

8

Common Mime

x

x

x

9

Common Mormon

x

x

x

10

Red Helen

x

x

x

11

Blue Mormon

x

x

x

12

Lime Butterfly

x

x

x

13

Common Banded Peacock

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Pieridae: Whites & Yellows 13

One-spot Grass Yellow

14

Three-spot Grass Yellow

x

x

x

15

Small Grass Yellow

x

x

x

16

Common Grass Yellow

x

x

x

17

Spotless Grass Yellow

x

18

Common Emigrant

x

x

x

19

Mottled Emigrant

x

x

x

20

Nilgiri Clouded Yellow

x

x

x

21

Small Salmon Arab

x

22

Crimson-tip

23

Small Orange-tip

x

24

Plain Orange-tip

x

25

Large Salmon Arab

x

x

26

White Orange-tip

x

x

27

Yellow Orange-tip

x

x

x

28

Great Orange-tip

x

x

x

29

Dark Wanderer

x

x

x

30

Common Wanderer

x

x

x

31

Striped Albatross

x

x

x

32

Common Albatross

x

x

x

33

Indian Cabbage White

x

x

x

34

Common Gull

x

x

x

35

Lesser Gull

x

36

Common Jezebel

x

x

x x x x

x

x x

x PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

37 38

Psyche

x

x

x

Pioneer

x

x

x

Nymphalidae: Brush-footed Butterflies 39

Club Beak

x

x

x

40

Southern/Lobed Beak

x

x

x

41

Glassy Tiger

x

x

x

42

Nilgiri Tiger

x

x

x

43

Blue Tiger

x

x

x

44

Dark Blue Tiger

x

x

x

45

Striped Tiger

x

x

x

46

Plain Tiger

x

x

x

47

Double-branded Crow

x

x

x

48

Common Crow

x

x

x

49

Common Nawab

x

x

x

50

Tawny Rajah

x

x

51

Common Evening Brown

x

x

x

52

Common Treebrown

x

x

x

53

Common Bushbrown

x

x

x

54

Glad-eye Bushbrown

x

x

x

55

Red-disc Bushbrown

x

x

x

56

Palni Bushbrown

x

57

Common Five-ring

x

x

x

58

White Four-ring

x

x

x

59

Palni Four-ring

x

60

Nilgiri Four-ring

x

x

x

61

Common Four-ring

x

x

x

62

Tawny Coster

x

63

Palni Fritillary

x

x

x

64

Common Leopard

x

x

x

65

Cruiser

x

x

66

Tamil Yeoman

x

x

x

67

Rustic

x

x

x

68

Commander

x

x

x

69

Common Sergeant

x

70

Blackvein Sergeant

x

71

Colour Sergeant

72

Common Lascar

73

Extra Lascar

74

Common Sailer

75 76 77 78

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Chestnut-streaked Sailer

x

x

x

Clipper

x

Common Baron Redspot Duke

x x

x

x x

x x

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

9

1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

79

Common Map

x

x

x

80

Angled Castor

x

x

x

81

Common Castor

x

x

x

82

Black Prince

x

x

x

83

Painted Courtesan

x

x

84

Indian Red Admiral

x

x

85

Painted Lady

x

x

86

Blue Admiral

x

x

x

87

Blue Pansy

x

88

Yellow Pansy

x

x

x

89

Chocolate Pansy

x

x

x

90

Grey Pansy

x

x

91

Peacock Pansy

x

x

92

Lemon Pansy

x

93

Great Eggfly

x

x

94

Danaid Eggfly

x

x

95

Indian Sunbeam

x

96

Common Silverline

97

Pointed Ciliate Blue

98

Opaque Six-Lineblue

99

Common Lineblue

100 101

x

x

x

x

Lycaenidae: Blues x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Tailless Lineblue

x

x

x

Angled Pierrot

x

x

x

102

Banded Blue Pierrot

x

x

x

103

Dark Cerulean

x

x

104

Common Cerulean

x

x

x

105

Forget-me-not

x

x

x

106

Pea Blue

x

107

Zebra Blue

x

x

x

108

Common Pierrot

x

x

x

109

Dark Grass Blue

x

x

x

110

Lesser Grass Blue

x

x

111

Pale Grass Blue

x

x

x

112

Tiny Grass Blue

x

x

x

113

Indian Cupid

x

x

x

114

Red Pierrot

x

115

Bright Babul Blue

116

African Babul Blue

117

Quaker

x

x

118

Malayan

x

x

119 120

Common Hedge Blue Plain Hedge Blue

x x

x x

x

x

x x

x

x

x x

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

121

White Hedge Blue

x

x

x

122

white-disc Hedge Blue

x

x

x

123

Gram Blue

x

124

Oriental Grass Jewel

x

125

Grass Jewel

x

126

Plains Cupid

x

x

127

Small Cupid

x

x

x

128

Lime Blue

x

x

x

129

Common Acacia Blue

x

x

x

130

Redspot

x

131

Leaf Blue

x

132

Silverstreak Blue

133

Yamfly

x

134

Monkey Puzzle

x

x

135 Common Tinsel Hesperiidae: Skippers

x

x

136

Brown Awl

137

Orangetail Awl

138

Orange Striped Awlet

139

x

x x

x x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Common Banded Awl

x

x

x

140

White Banded Awl

x

x

141

Indian Awlking

x

x

142

Angled Flat

x

x

143

Tricoloured Pied Flat

x

x

144

Common Snow Flat

x

x

x

145

Water Snow Flat

x

146

Golden Angle

x

147

Malabar Spotted Flat

x

148

Common Spotted Flat

149

Fulvous Pied Flat

x

150

Indian Skipper

x

151

Dingy Scrub Hopper

x

152

South Indian Ace

153

Chestnut Bob

x

154

Parnara Swift

x

x

155

Borbo sp.

x

x

156

Large Branded Swift

x

x

157

Small Branded Swift

x

x

158

Common Grass Dart

x

x

159

Indian Dartlet

x

x

160 161

Potanthus sp.

Dark Palm-dart

x x

x x

x x

x x

x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Team

Team 1

Members

Prakash G, Kishore Kumaran S and Amol Mande

Places & Range

Berijam zone: Lake area, Madhikettan shola

Team

Team 2

Members

A Pavendhan and K Sravan kumar

Places & Range

Poomparai Range

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

12

1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Nilgiri Four-ring PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

13

1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Black Angle / Angled Flat PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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1

A Repeat Survey of KWLS

Team

Team 3

Members

Nishanth CV, Kumaresan Chandrabose, Andipatti Pandi and Ramanasaran

Places & Range

Devadhanapatti Range

Team

Team 4

Members

Gopalakrishnan S, Viswanathan S and Balakrishnan R

Places & Range

Perumpallam Range, Nandankarai

Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society (TNBS) would like to thank the DFO and Rangers on entrusting to co-ordinate the event among the participants and thank all the participants and members of various organisation who readily accepted the invitation and came to the survey.

All Pictures credit: Survey members PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

15

2

Migration Update: Lime Butterfly Outburst & Milkweeds

The butterfly migration is back in 2018 after missing out couple of years in trot (2016 & 2017) during March -May, moving down in masses from the hills of Western Ghats to the plains and Eastern Ghats within Tamil Nadu landscape.

From end of September to November, every year, from time immemorial, Nymphalidae butterflies like Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Common Crow and Double-branded Crow along with a few other species will undertake their migration journey to Western Ghats from plains and Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu and the future generations descend down during April- May. Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society (TNBS) has been observing and documenting the migration since 2012 and the past data showed that 2015 and 2016 are the worst years with respect to butterfly migration. It was almost nil and this was attributed to the failed monsoons. Rains during 2017 South West Monsoon was more than the normal across the state especially for the month of August and some good rains during the months of April and May too. Due to good South West Monsson in 2017, we saw the Nymphalidae butterflies undertaking migration to the Western Ghats. And the good rains during April- May 2017, induced a very interesting phenomenon with an unprecedented generation of Emigrants butterfly throughout the Tamil Nadu Ghats and Plains and their migration and they were truly felt in Coimbatore District too.

Migration in 2018 Tamil Nadu and Coimbatore have been experiencing good rains during the current year between March and May, and according to the IMD statistics, the rainfall received for example for the city of Coimbatore is well above the period average (27 cm rain from Jan 2018 until June, and against a yearly average of 59 cm).

This made the conditions favourable to the Milkweed butterflies and the migration had commenced actually much earlier than the usual dates in April, between March 17 and 21. The migration was felt and reported from all over the district from Anamalai Tiger Reserve to Coimbatore city to the Kallar (extreme end of the district and at the foothills of the Nilgiris). Both Euploea species (Double-branded Crow and Common Crow) and Tirumala species (Dark Blue Tiger and Blue Tiger) were more or less equally represented. The presence of these species was seen in good concentration as late as May 1st week in many places, numbering to a few hundred in each place.

Migration of Lime Butterfly: When the Emigrants were in boom last year through out the state of Tamil Nadu, during April and May, we also witnessed at certain pockets, huge presence of Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus, Linnaeus 1758), from the Papilionidae family. This year too, this phenomenon was felt in Coimbatore District, especially on the Mettupalayam- Kallar region. Along the rivers of Bhavani and Kallar, especially during morning when the sunlight was bright and supporting, huge numbers, probably in many thousands, the Lime Butterflies were migrating. Common Emigrants and a few other Pieridae species were also migrating along with them. The open spots of rivers were filled with mud-puddling of these butterflies. This was a treat to watch and thrilled those tourists who were on the Mettupalayam-Ooty Road.

Jeswin Kingsly of Wildlife Wranglers, who is currently working as Naturalist in Kanha Tiger Reserve states that he saw 1000s of Lime Butterflies migrating from hills to the plains near Kallar Mettupalayam. Major migrating species was Lime Butterfly along with Emigrants. Lots of Mudpuddling activity is also observed in the area. It was noted that on a peak day, 100+ species migrated per minute for two hours after which it gradually decreased. Mudpuddling of Lime in large numbers along with Common Mormons, Common Albatross, Common Gull, Spot Swordtail, Pioneer and Common Emigrants were also seen.

Ramanasaran Hari, Nishanth CV and Gopalakrishnan S of Tamil nadu Butterfly Society also observed these and at different locations of Bhavani river too. Ramanasran Hari has the following to say: “A huge number of lime, emigrants, gulls and milkweed butterflies are seen flying across the Kallar region. The rate of the butterflies would be more than 200 per minute and it varied every day during this month. The dominant species in this migration is Lime Butterfly. They moving from west to east direction and probably heading towards Bhavani Sagar River. There was also huge mud puddling seen all around the Mettupalayam and public were excited to see that. The view of this migration was magnificent and looked like colourful papers floating around us.�

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

17

3

Butterfly Walk: Navamalai Balakrishnan R

Navamalai is a small village located 13 kilometres south of Kottur- Malayandipattinam in Pollachi Taluk of Coimbatore District .It has one of the hydroelectric power houses of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board known as Aliyar Power House, it is one of the main hydro-electric power production bases built along the river Aliyar. One has to take the road opposite to Monkey falls located on the uphill Ghat road on the Pollachi-Valparai road & travel downhill around six Kms to reach there. Elevation: 39 m (128 ft) there is a forest check post at the entrance & Permission is required to enter. Many thanks to Mr. Mahesh the resort owner, who facilitated our stay & obtained the required permissions.

As the name suggests, it is surrounded by nine mountains [Navamalai means in Tamil "Nine Mountains"] of Western Ghats.

The River Aliyar falls from the high mountains and starts its journey through the plains from this small beautiful village. The southern end of Aliyar Dam touches the village. There are many other streams in the mountains all of which pass through the village before joining the river Aliyar. The mountains are very green and the forests have rare trees and plants. It is now part of Indira Gandhi Wild Park. The history of Navamalai is one of exploitation of natural habitat, environment, tribals and forests.

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

19

PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

20

3

Butterfly Walk: Navamalai

On 21st Jan-18, I along with three birders went & camped overnight & started trekking early morning along the back waters of the dam. Lot of bird movements & little of butterflies could be seen. Mostly of emigrants, pansies, blues & common tigers.

After breakfast we headed towards the mountains & started our climb. Was motor able road for some distance & found a suitable place to park the vehicle. Started walking along the canal. We could see lot of butterflies ,damselflies & birds. At one place the canal passes thro the mountains & comes out thirty feet away. Here there is water fall( it was almost dry) and a bridge connecting the canal. Under the bridge was the puddling spot where lot of butterflies were present. It was quite hot & humid. This is where I spotted the Blackvein Sergeant & Bamboo Treebrown. Lot of leopards and yellows were seen too.

This place I feel is a hot spot & worth exploring further. Sure to get some rarities. After this I went further & along the way could see the camera traps for the big cats. Lot of sailors, Common & white banded Awls were seen. Now and then the high flying Blue Mormons & lovely common banded peacock s were seen. Finally reached the Waterfalls & we all had a wonder dip in the cool waters on a hot sunny day. By this time our vehicle also reached the spot & all of us returned back to camp‌

List of Butterflies seen: Family: Papilionidae Common Jay, Tailed Jay, Common Mormon, Red Helen, Blue Mormon, Lime Butterfly, Common Banded Peacock, Common Rose, Crimson Rose.

Family: Pieridae Three-spot Grass Yellow, Common Grass Yellow, Common Emigrant, Mottled Emigrant, Small Salmon Arab, Small Orange-tip, Plain Orange-tip, White Orange-tip, Great Orange-tip, Dark Wanderer, Common Wanderer, Common Gull, Common Jezebel, Psyche, Pioneer.

Family: Nymphalidae Common Beak, Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Striped Tiger, Plain Tiger, Double-branded Crow, Common Crow, Common Nawab, Common Evening Brown, Bamboo Treebrown, White Four-ring, Common Four-ring, Common Leopard, Blackvein Sergeant, Common Lascar, Chestnut-streaked Sailer, Common Sailer, Common Castor, Yellow Pansy, Chocolate Pansy, Lemon Pansy, Danaid Eggfly Family: Lycaenidae Guava Blue, Banded Blue Pierrot, Common Pierrot, Zebra Blue, Common Cerulean, Forget-me-not, Dark Grass Blue, Oriental Grass Jewel, Tiny Grass Blue, Indian Cupid Family: Hesperiidae White Banded Awl, Indian Skipper, Fulvous Pied Flat, Common Snow Flat PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

21

4

Butterfly Walk: Deviyar Estate Amol Mande

Everyone visits a lot of places but only few makes special place in one’s memories and for me Deviyar Estate is the one. Deviyar Estate is in the deep forest around 10 km trekking distance from Devipattanam village near Sivagiri, Rajapalayam. Surrounded from all the sides by thick forest Deviyar Estate is just few hundred meters away from Tamilnadu-Kerala border. Periyar National Park is there on the Kerala side. On 14th August, 2017 morning group of Trichy Trekkers started the journey to estate from Rajapalayam. At the base of hill we had taken breakfast and started the trek around 9 AM. It was flat terrain in the beginning and too dry which made me to worry that how it will be at the top. On the way many Awlets were fluttering around the Pungam tree. As we keep on climbing forest become more and greener. On the way spotted few blue tigers, white four ring and some skippers. There are 3-4 estates in the forest in which Deviyar Estate is at the highest location. Almost at the midway there is one temple known as Thavamperta Nayaki Amman Temple for which one have to take diversion from the main route and travel few hundred meters. We decided to visit it while coming back. After trekking through thick forest we reached Kaavu Estate by around 1.00 PM. I was about to take my lunch when I saw a pair of southern birdwing was busy in courtship. I kept my lunch aside and took few pics of their display before they disappear from there.

After the lunch over we started again to trek through thick forest. While climbing one place leeches were there to welcome us.

Carefully passed that place and kept on climbing. It was really tiring journey with quite heavy load in the backpack. Finally around 3.30 PM while going through the path both side of which was Cardamom plantation could get the first glimpse of estate building. After few minutes of walk finally reached the destination where people from estate were very happy to welcome us. Estate people had brought water from the top of hill through pipeline which was bit cold. Everyone was so much tired with clothes wet due to the sweating. We refreshed ourselves taking superb bath with cold water. Everyone was so tired that most of us slept just after taking dinner. The arrangements were simple but quite good. I also slept as soon as I lay down on my bedding.

Next day morning I wake up early in the morning at 4.30 AM, it was so calm and refreshing. Slowly it started becoming visible and sun was about to rise. Suddenly I could listen beautiful whistling which was so soothing to ear in the early morning. Later come to know that it was nothing other than Malabar Whistling Thrush. Since it was 15 th August, 2017 our Independence Day, everyone was getting ready for the flag hoisting ceremony. While I was taking my breakfast suddenly I heard my friend called me “Anna, Painted Sawtooth”. I couldn’t believe what I have heard but next moment my plate was on the floor and I ran towards my camera. It was like dream come true for me, because I was too much crazy for Painted Sawtooth for which I was waiting form last few years. Painted Sawtooth was kind enough to give enough time so that people even capture it with mobile camera. It remained around the water tap area for more than 30 minutes. Later I decided to look around the estate for some butterflies and could see White-bar Bushbrown, Red-disc Bushbrown and Indian Cabbage white. At 9.30 AM we hoisted our tri colour and sung national anthem. Immediately after the ceremony everyone picked up their bags and we said goodbye to the estate and estate people. It was really a memorable stay there.

On the way back again had small halt at Kaavu Estate. After some time climbed down and reached to Amman Temple. It is surrounded by trees and difficult to locate it form far distance. Just behind the temple one water stream flows. People enjoyed taking bath in the stream and I started looking for butterflies. At one moist place could see a common crow but it was looking bit different, after looking closely it was Malabar Raven. Couple of Blue Mormons, Lesser gull were doing mud puddling there.

Spent some time there again climbing down started to stop at one more water stream. Many common crows were fluttering on the tree with white flowers. Near water body on the rocks I could see one dull colour butterfly somehow managed to click it and it was Common baron. Again had bath in water to get rid of sweating. After spending some time started climbing down.

Forest was becoming thinner and dry. It was so much dry and hot at foothills. Finally by 2 PM reached the starting point. It was really once in a life time experience. I would suggest to our TNBS members to visit this place if possible. I am sure you will fall in love with the place.

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Butterfly Walk: Deviyar Estate

Important sightings include: Painted Sawtooth, Common Baron, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Three-spot Grass Yellow, White-bar Bushbrown, White Four-ring, Restricted Demon, Tamil Yeoman, Oriens goloides, Southern Birdwing, Blue Mormon, Lesser Gull, Common Five-ring, Chestnut Angle, Brown Awl, Indian Palm Bob, Malabar Raven, Indian Cabbage White, Red-disc Bushbrown, Common Sailor, Common Albatross, Pale Grass Blue, Lineblue sp., and Potanthus sp. (Dart sp.)

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Silver Royal PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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A good beginning from Kallar Vishvajit Kadam

It's almost a year I am living in Tamil nadu and most my butterfly exploration here was limited to our college campus and tropical butterfly conservatory in Trichy. I was searching for company of butterfly enthusiasts here to explore more places but was unable to find any until I met Amol Mande. He introduced me to members of TNBS from coimbatore and Mettupalayam and it was Kallar from where I chose to begin visiting butterfly hotspots in Tamil nadu.

First visit was on 10th June 2018. I turned out to be full of surprises which I had never imagined. Common Banded Peacock was in my wish list for long time and observing 5-6 individuals at same place was miraculous. A surprise short-time visit by Lobed Beak was also witnessed; despite of being common there it was special for me. Group mud puddling of common grass yellows, One-spot Grass Yellow, Yellow Orange-tip, White Orange-tip, Great Orange-tip, Common jay, Bluebottles, Tailed Jay, Common Mormon, Common Emigrant, Common Gull, Pioneer, Glassy Tiger, Blue Tigers, plain tigers was also witnessed. At end of the day, newly met strangers were turned into special close friends.

In next week, I visited Kallar for second time on 16th June 2018 which was overwhelmingly astonishing as we came across beautiful rare gem - the Silver Royal. Other finding was Redspot. Spotting so many of White Four-rings was really special for me. With the growing interaction with TNBS members, I started developing interests in early stages of butterfly life cycle.

This new field is calling for my dedication and passion. Hope it will open new doors of excitement and thrill in upcoming time.

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Caterpillar– The Eating Machine

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Caterpillar– The Eating Machine Theivaprakasham Hari theivaprakasham@gmail.com

Butterflies are very special and fascinating creatures that totally transform themselves from miniature sized egg to wingless caterpillars and into colourful flying creatures. Every stage of butterfly is a rebirth to newly transformed form. In the lifecycle of butterflies, the most of the time is spent on the caterpillar phase ranging from few days to several months. As the caterpillar grows larger, they shed their outer skin by the process of moulting. Caterpillars usually moult four or five times as they grow.

Each different caterpillar stage after moulting is called an instar.

Caterpillar is an eating machine whose only purpose is to eat and grow. To achieve the purpose, caterpillars have to undergo different scenarios which are answered here through some interesting questions.

How many legs does a caterpillar have?

A caterpillar has eight pairs of legs. The forward three pairs of jointed legs with hooks are attached to their thorax region and are called True Legs/ Thoracic legs. These legs will become the legs of the adult butterfly during metamorphosis. Behind true legs are five pairs of Prolegs/False Legs attached to the abdomen. On the tip of each proleg is a ring of tiny, hooklike structures called crochets. These facilitate the caterpillar’s movement, allowing it to easily cling to plant material, but they are discarded when the butterfly develops. Four pairs of prolegs in abdomen region is called as abdominal Proleg and the last pair of prolegs near the end of the caterpillar is called anal proleg.

How do caterpillars breathe?

Caterpillar breathes through nine pairs of pores or holes (spiracles) on the sides of the body. The largest spiracles are located on the thorax, where muscles from the legs and wings require more oxygen. These holes connect to a network of long air tubes (tracheae), and body movements pump the air through the tubes.

Caterpillars and even pupae breathe in a similar way, through holes in their sides. The tracheae bring oxygen to the cells, and carbon dioxide simply diffuses straight out of the tissues through the exoskeleton.

What do caterpillars eat?

Caterpillars of most species are herbivorous feeding on leaves, flower and stem and very few butterflies like Apefly and Redspot are insectivorous. Some butterfly caterpillars like Crimson Rose, Common Hedge Blue, Common Pierrot and Striped Pierrot are sometimes found to be cannibalistic. Caterpillar feed on the leaves of specific plants called as host plants. Each species of Caterpillar can have one to many host plants belonging to several families. Caterpillars can sometimes be found on plants that are not their hosts, but this usually means they are diseased, parasitized, or ready to pupate. Almost all caterpillars are voracious eaters, growing quickly to as much as 1,000 times their birth weight.

Some caterpillars which are unable to find their preferred food plant will starve rather than switch to other plants that are present in their habitat. Those that cannot switch are called specialists. And some caterpillars that can adopt new food plants and will accept more than one host plant are called polyphagous.

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Caterpillar– The Eating Machine

Why do ants get attracted to caterpillars?

Although ants are among the leading invertebrate predators, many butterfly species interact with ants in a relationship that is mutually beneficial (myrmecophily). More than half of the species of lycaenid butterfly larvae live peacefully with ants, usually excreting sugary, carbohydrate-rich droplets from a gland on their backs that the ants consume. The ants, in return, patrol the surrounding plants and attack predators and parasitic wasps that approach the caterpillars. Some larvae release chemical signals that warn the ants of impending danger and some make warning sounds. Caterpillars of some other species eat the immature ants (eggs, grubs, and pupae).

Glands that help in the Symbiotic relationship between butterfly caterpillar and Ant * Pore cupolas glands are small, single-celled glands scattered over the surface of all lycaenid caterpillars. The chemical secretions produced by the glands can help in attracting, alerting or deterring ants. * Dorsal nectary organ (DNO)/ Honey Gland is a large specialized gland that secretes the nectar-like nutritious droplets containing sugars and amino acids. This secretion attracts ants to a caterpillar and in return, Ants offers protection to larvae from predators. * Tentacular organs (TOs) are two eversible structures which secrete volatile substances that both attract and alert ants when the larva is alarmed or the DNO is depleted. They seem to function in ant-caterpillar communications.

How do caterpillars protect themselves from predators?

Caterpillars use different strategies and techniques to protect themselves from evading predators.

• Some caterpillars are poisonous to predators. These caterpillars get their toxicity from the plants they eat. Generally, the brightly coloured larva are poisonous; their colour is a reminder to predators about their toxicity. Some poisonous caterpillars include the Plain Tiger and Common Crow.

•

Some caterpillar like Common Baron blends into their surroundings extraordinarily well. Many caterpillars are a shade of green that matches their host plant. Caterpillars of Common Mormon, Common Lime look like bird droppings (inedible objects).

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Some caterpillars have eyespots that make them look like the face of a much larger animal (snake) and may scare away some predators. An eye spot is a circular, eye-like marking found on the body of some caterpillars.

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Some caterpillars mostly Hesperiidae, encase themselves in a folded leaf or other hiding place.

This strategy protects them from the predator. Caterpillars of Red Pierrot bores inside the leaves of the Host plant to escape from predator attack.

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Some caterpillars can emit very bad smells to ward off predators. They have an osmeterium, an orange, y-shaped gland on their neck which gives off a strong, unpleasant odour when the caterpillar is threatened. This keeps away dangerous wasps and flies that try to lay eggs on the caterpillar.

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Caterpillar– The Eating Machine

Papilionidae

Common Banded Peacock (Papilio crino)

Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor)

Malabar Rose (Pachliopta pandiyana)

Pioneer (Belenois aurota)

Common Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona)

Common Castor (Ariadne merione)

Common Baron (Euthalia aconthea)

Many-tailed Oakblue (Thaduka multicaudata)

Banded Blue Pierrot (Discolampa ethion)

Rice Swift (Borbo cinnara)

Common Spotted Flat (Celaenorrhinus leucocera)

Pieridae

Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)

Nymphalidae

Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais)

Lycaenidae

Red Pierrot (Talicada nyseus)

Hesperiidae

African Marbled Skipper (Gomalia elma)

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Chromolaena odorata A serious invasive weed that is preferred by Butterflies for Nectar

What better joy than butterflies nectaring on myriad of colour flowers. Butterflies need nutrients and sugars besides other minerals for their survival and reproduction. For the sugars, they are greatly dependant on the nectaring plants. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollinating animals such as bees, butterflies, wasps, birds, etc. Nectar secretion increases as the flower is visited by pollinators. After pollination, the nectar is frequently reabsorbed into the plant.

Butterflies prefer the native plants for their nectars generally; however, we find them equally and in fact preferably seek the nectar of a few serious weed plants such as Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camera.

Chromolaena odorata is a tropical and subtropical species of flowering shrub in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native to the North and South American continents. It has subsequently been introduced to tropical Asia, west Africa, and parts of Australia, either accidentally or intentionally. Common names include Siam weed, Christmas bush, devil weed, camphor grass, common floss flower, communist green, triffid and Communist pacha. It was earlier taxonomically classified under the genus Eupatorium but is now considered more closely related to other genera in the tribe Eupatorieae.

Chromolaena odorata is considered an invasive weed of field crops and natural environments in its introduced range. It has been reported to be the most problematic invasive species within protected rainforests in Africa. In Western Africa it prevents regeneration of tree species in areas of shifting cultivation. It affects species diversity in southern Africa. The plant's flammability affects forest edges. In Sri Lanka it is a major weed in disturbed areas and coconut plantations. A study in India reveals that sites with high biotic pressure, maximum temperature variation, open forest canopy, and free from herbivory are the most suitable habitat for the growth of C. odorata. Australian government has drawn an elaborate plan to eradicate this weed (it is called Siam Weed in Australia).

In Tamil Nadu, the weed can be seen on the mountains and places near to it and is feared to be slowly expanding due to its effective short and long-distance dispersal. The plant may be preferred as ornamental garden plant helping further its expansion and stability.

We were able to observe in single location the presence of this weed for a period of about 2 years (in the plains and not in hills/ foothills). Whenever the plant was in full bloom, it was preferred by butterflies from all families, with an exception of Swallowtails (Papilionidae) showing a lesser preference. The butterflies tend to get attached to their favourite spot for long Reference: 1. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/23248 time unless the general method of moving over flowers in a 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromolaena_odorata 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nectar short span. Only the Swallowtails, like Tailed Jay, show the 4. Gautam Mandal and Shambhu Prasad Joshi. Invasion establishtendency of swiftly moving between flowers. While we are not ment and habitat suitability of Chromolaena odorata (L.) King clearly aware of the status of this weed in the state of Tamil and Robinson over time and space in the western Himalayan forests of India. Journal of Asia Pacific biodiversity 7(2014) 391nadu and its impact on eco-system and any eradication plan 400. for them at the moment, what is clearly emerging is that this 5. Weed management Guide. Siam weed or Chromolaena. The CRC weed has become an importance source of food for not only for Australian Weed Management and the Common wealth Department of the Environment and Heritage. butterflies, but for moth, bees and wasps too.

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Chromolaena odorata

A Pavendhan

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Monsoon Magic from the Western Ghats

Valparai, ATR, CBE Dt S Viswanathan

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Monsoon Magic from the Western Ghats

Nellithurai, Bhavani Riverbed, Mettupalayam, CBE Dt S Gopalakrishnan We have started our morning Butterfly walk in a sombre note in the early morning of 6th May in an Areca farm along the bank of River Bhavani in the outskirts of Mettupalayam. There were few lycaenids skittering in the compost yard and we headed for a walk along the river.. By 9 AM when we returned to the spot ,the scenario has totally changed to frenzied activity and we were enthralled to see hundreds of butterflies thronging the place , jostling for space to mud puddle!. It was such wonderful butterflying moment that we could enjoy, photograph these winged beauties ,many of which were fresh specimen. We were able to count 21 species of butterflies from the congregation.. Sharing some pics form the same.

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In News

The Hindu– Dollar City Supplement-Thiruppur – Apr 2018 The Dollar City Edition of the Hindu carried an article about butterfly status in Tamil Nadu, the butterfly hotspots, no of species validated so far in the state and the TNBS general activities carried out.

Release date: 12.04.2018

Awareness Program– Erode Bar Association– April 2018

Mr. Prakash Loganathan and Mr. Chidambaram initiated this awareness and introductory session on butterflies to the members and their family of Bar Association of Erode. The program was at their meeting hall and slotted for the evening with about 50 participants turning up, and significant of them being ladies and kids. The program was well received by the audience and the kids were pretty active and excited. It is about max of 2 hours and we have wrapped up the program.

TNBS booklet was distributed to all participating members.

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In News

Butterfly Migration– Nilgiri Foothills– The Hindu- May 2018

The outburst of Lime Butterflies and their possible (local) migration was covered in this news article of the Nilgiris Edition of the Hindu news paper on 19 May 2018.

Awareness Program for Children– May 2018

ARC foundation Aparna invited Mr. CV Nishanth of TNBS for a small session on butterflies for their kids.

He had a very good interactive session.

They are also planning to create a butterfly garden in their campus and we will be glad to provide our assistance.

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Plains Cupid

Common Crow

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From the Facebook Pages...

Tamil Yeoman by Vijayakumar Ramamoorthy

Baron by Amol Mande

Nilgiri Tit by Andipatti Pandi

Southern Bluebottle by Arumugam Chandrasekaran

Common Mime by Vicky Chinna

Five-bar Swordtail by Bala Krishnan

Dark Blue Tiger by Balaji Balachandran

Indian Palm Bob by Balaji P Balachandran PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Large Four-lineblue by Bhanu Mathi

Chestnut-streaked Sailer by Monika Gandhi

Many-tailed Oakblue by Darshan M Trivedi

Tawny Rajah by Devika Devi

Southern / Tailed Palmfly by Vinithashri Gautam

Plain Tiger catty by Edward Gnanaraj

Redspot by Vishvajit Kadam

Three-spot Grass Yellow by Elavarasan Malaiyappan PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Tamil Yeoman by Franklin Sukumar

Dark Wanderer by Gandhi Sankar

Painted Lady by Geethanjali Raghunathan

Orangetail Awl by Gopal Krishnan

Tamil Lacewing by Gowathaman Ganesan

Crimson Rose by Gowri Shankar

Nilgiri Tit by Harish Raghavan

Spot Swordtail by Hema Mohandas PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Hampson’s Hedge Hopper by Jee Jeevith

Paris Peacock by Jeswin Kingsly

Painted Courtesan by Kumaresan Chandrabose

Golden Angle by Lakshmi Kumar

Quaker by Leema Robert

Red-eye Bushbrown by Lenin Raj

Guava Blue by Maheshvar E

Indian Red Admiral by Manohar Daniel PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Chocolate Albatross by Sravan Kumar

Indian Sunbeam by Muniraj Palanisamy S

Common Jay by Prakash Gururajan

Grey Pansy by Arun Kumar

Common Nawab by Smitha Anand

Joker by Rajesh Rkm

Indian Sunbeam by Rama Neelamegam

Nilgiri Four-ring by Ramanasaran Hari PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Plains Blue Royal by Rainold Lazar Thekkey Edath

Plains Cupid by Ramesh Thiyagarajan

Blue Pansy by Rengaraj Bettai

Peacock Pansy by Rohini Ramalingam

Indian Palm Bob by Sathya K Selvam

Common Mormon by P Subbu Kannan

Plain Tiger by Soundar Ells

Crimson Rose by Thara Latha Mageshwaran PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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From the Facebook Pages...

Dark Blue Tiger by Kalai Chelvan

Striped Albatross by Sundara Manickam

Common Banded Peacock by Surendiran Elavarasan

Lesser Grass Blue by T.a.Natarajan

Grey Pansy by Thalavai Pandi

Dark Blue Tiger by Sureshsri kanagaraj

Common Banded Awl by Radhakrishnan Sadasivam

Tamil Bushbrown by Thirumurugan Zoovet PATTAMPOOCHI A TNBS MAGAZINE WINGS 2 VEINS 3

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Fluffy Tit

Chestnut Angle