Butterflies of Sharavathi River Basin

Sameer Ali
Energy & Wetlands Research Group,
Centre for Ecological Sciences,
Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore

Introduction

Butterflies are the most tantalizing and beautiful creatures. Among the insect group, they are often regarded as flagship species. These are perhaps the most studied and well-known insect groups. Butterflies along with moths belong to the order Lepidoptera. In terms of indicator organisms for biodiversity studies butterflies are an excellent choice as they are common almost everywhere, attractive and easy to observe. The butterfly diversity is high in the tropics compared to temperate regions of the world. Their habitat ranges from arctic to the great deserts of the world. The butterflies are divided in to two super families viz., Papilionoidea constitutes 11,100 species and Hesperioidea constitutes 3,650 species in the world (Scott, 2001).

Ancient people carved images of butterflies into stones, and reckoned them as gods messengers. In the mythologies of diverse cultures today, they continue to be accorded a special status.

People around the world, scientists and nonscientists alike, are drawn to their flashing and diverse color patterns and elusive flight, their astonishing life histories and seemingly endless variety, and their fleeting appearance on nature’s stage. The origin of the word “butterfly” is obscure. To Chaucer, the word was boterflye; in old English, the word is buter-fleoge; in Dutch, botervlieg; in German, butterfliege. The Oxford English Dictionary offers the possibility that “ the insect was so called from the appearance of its excrement”. The ancient Greeks' word for the soul, psychē, was also their word for the butterfly, which was seen as an emblem of the immortal soul by reason of its passing through a kind of death in the pupa stage, and a resurrection in the adult (Scott, 2001).

Anatomy

The brilliant colouring pattern in case of butterflies is due to the presence of scales on the wings, they are often arranged in an overlapping pattern or like tiles. Colouration in scales is due to the chemicals from the host plants during the larval stage or due to feeding on excreta by adult butterfly. Ribs and veins are the main supporting structures for butterfly wings.

Adult butterfly has specialized mouthparts called Haustellum or Proboscis. The mouthparts are modified for purpose of sucking nectar, nutrients etc. Proboscis is kept coiled in front and hidden completely or partly between the hairy labial palpi.

The head portion is completely occupied by a pair of compound eyes, composed of several thousand lenses and is useful in detecting short-range movements. A pair of antennae is situated between the eyes, which are having chemical receptors responsible in detecting the smell.

Systematics

Life Cycle

Butterflies develop from egg to pupa, and finally to adult, during metamorphosis. The advantage of metamorphosis is that it allows the larva and adult to live in different environmental conditions. Life stages of butterfly take different amount of time, of which the egg stage has least duration, while the pupal one being the longest. Several factors influence the process of metamorphosis viz., seasonal variation, size of the adult, temperature, etc. In case of Tamil Lacewing (Cethosia nietneri) it may take over a week to hatch and in some species of Blues the eggs lie dormant in the winter and hatch out in the spring.

Eggs

The eggs are fertilized after mating. The eggs, which vary in number in different species, are cylindrical, spherical, dome, or turban-shaped, variously coloured, and either smooth or beautifully sculptured. The female may produce only one or two large batches of eggs that are all laid together (e.g., the Pioneer), or produce many small batches, which are laid over a period of many days or weeks. Usually female, carefully examines the leaves and parts of plant (‘host plants’ or ‘food plants’ of caterpillar) on which it lays eggs. The eggs lay on the top or underneath the leaves, or on bud, or on the nearby plants so that the caterpillar does not have to search for appropriate host plant.

Larvae

After a certain period the caterpillar emerges from top of the egg. The caterpillar is the main feeding stage of butterfly and after hatching, it often eats the eggshell as its first meal: this gives it invaluable nutrients and also helps to remove evidence of egg, which may otherwise draw the attention of parasitoids. After the first meal of eggshell, different species of caterpillars feed on specific plant parts such as, young leaves, flower buds, old leaves, young shoots, roots and tender pods. Often caterpillars are found either feeding or sitting motionless and this activity of caterpillar is well concealed by its colouration. However, in case of Mottled Emigrant and Common Banded Awl, the caterpillar feed on all the edible green tissues of the host plant. With the exceptions, of Moth Butterfly.

Butterfly life cycle

(Liphyra brassolis), the Brownies (Gerydus) and the Ape Fly (Spalgis eplus), which feed on ant larvae, greenflies, and scale insects respectively (Blyth, 1982).

Pupae or Chrysalis

A butterfly caterpillar casts off or moults its outer skin layer five times in its life span. The stage in between the moulting is called ‘instar’ and from every moulting the caterpillar grows bigger in size. After each moulting the moulted skin is eaten by the caterpillar. The growth is halted only when the caterpillar is about to pupate. The chrysalis or pupa is a transition stage made necessary by the structural differences between caterpillar and adult and by the need to endure long hibernation. Before pupation caterpillar may wander far from the plant on which it had been feeding, once it finds the suitable place for pupation like dense foliage, it weaves a dense pad of silk to which the pupa is later fixed. Then the caterpillar under go pupation by suspending to the silk pad and after moulting, the pupal skin hardens, tubercles or other projections and markings become distinct and the pupa gets its final form and colouration.

Adult

An adult butterfly emerges from a pupa case (splitting down at the back of the pupa). The newly emerged individual will spread and dry its wings in the bright sunshine. The wings, which at first are wrinkled and shriveled, gradually expand as the blood is pumped through the veins. To begin with they hang limply, but as they harden they are opened and expand to the rays of the sun. This entire process is completed within half an hour and the butterfly is ready to fly off to find a mate. But in some butterflies, especially the Tigers and Crows (Danainae), male butterflies freshly emerged from their pupae search first for a certain species of plant rather than females. They congregate in large numbers on plants viz., Crotalaria, Heiotropum, and Aegeratum conyzoides, where they obtain alkaloids (Pyrrolizidine) from the flowers or sap. These alkaloids are essential to prime the scents, to be dispersed through the organs of the wings of the males that ensure successful courtship. Only after obtaining a sufficient supply of alkaloids the males go in search of females (Smetacek, 2000).

Camouflage and Mimicry

Camouflaging is perhaps well adapted survival strategy in the butterflies. Species of Bush browns, Pansys and Evening Browns camouflage themselves amongst dry leaves. The Blue Oakleaf (Kallima horsfieldii) is a paragon of camouflage (Kunte, 2000). In most of the Indian species the camouflage resembles the dry and decaying leaves of the forest floor as in case of Evening browns.

Certain groups of palatable butterflies escape attack by imitating the distasteful species in appearance, habits and methods of flight. The mimicry is more pronounced in female compared to male. This may apply to both sides of the wings. This form of mimicry is called ‘Batesian Mimicry’. There is a second form of mimicry, called Mullerian mimicry, in which members of a distasteful group find it to their advantage to resemble one another in order to make their recognition by possible enemies an easier task. This phenomenon is more common in Blue Tigers and Crows (Blyth, 1982).

Evolution

The anatomically most “advanced” orders of insects made their appearance in the Mesozoic era. Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) appeared first in the Jurassic period, although they probably evolved considerably earlier.

During the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic, Hymenopterans (especially bees) and lepidopterans become the important pollinators, and adaptive modification of flowers to suit different pollinators gave rise to the great floral diversity of modern plants.

Ecology

Butterflies are the indicator species for the diversity representing particular vegetation/habitat.
Butterflies are sensitive to the changes in habitat and climate, which influences their distribution and abundance. This ultimately leads to the migration in butterflies. Classic example is the migration in Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) between North America and Mexico. In India, butterflies like Tigers, Crows and Albatross usually migrate during unfavorable conditions.
Wing patterns and colourations are helpful in studying seasonal variation. Dry season and wet season forms can be easily made out in some species like Evening browns, Bush browns etc.
Butterflies play pivotal role in the pollination, especially in some important angiosperms. While foraging for nectar, butterflies also carry pollens that help in pollination.
Butterflies are important prey species for birds, reptiles, and some invertebrates.
Some of them are useful tools in the study of genetics.
Apart from beneficial aspects, some butterflies feed on crops during their larval stages and wipeout the entire crops, posing a severe threat to human welfare.

Conservation Problems and Some Measures

Conservation of butterflies and other insects, in contrast with that of vertebrates take less importance may be due to their population size and wide range of habitats. In India certain large butterflies (Swallowtails) are collected for ornamental purposes and illegal trading of these butterflies also takes place in few places like Himalayas and Northeast India (Kunte, 2000). But major threats to butterfly diversity and survival of some endangered species are:

Habitat destruction by means of degradation and fragmentation has rendered to the species extinction in the tropics. They pose serious threats to survivability of vulnerable butterflies. River valley projects, encroachments and extensive monoculture plantations have degraded and fragmented the forests around the globe. And the tropical forests of the Western Ghats are also suffering in the similar manner, which harbors the maximum diversity of butterflies. In case of Sharavathi valley, the river valley projects, shifting cultivation, selective felling in the past have destroyed most of the pristine forests and destroyed the major habitats of the butterflies.

Acacia, Casuarina, pine and teak plantations spread in the vast areas of the Sharavathi river basin have destroyed the habitats of butterflies. Grazing also had negative impact on butterfly habitat. Most of the Pierids and Hesperiides depend on the Grass sp., as larval host plants. Forest fire also destroys the destruction of natural forest and grassy blanks this in turn affects the tiny butterfly species.

Measures to conserve butterflies

Compared to larger mammals the insect groups are totally neglected from conservation point of view. Except some wildlife protection laws, the butterflies are most neglected group of insects. The Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 (amended in 1993) lists the butterfly conservation priority. Under this law, collection of butterflies from the wild, or any action leading to threatening their habitats, is prohibited (Kunte, 2000). Butterflies are listed in Schedule I, II, IV and V of WPA. The other conservation measures include the protection of forest and grassy blanks from encroachments and grazing, and creating butterfly parks and gardens by planting butterfly larval host plants. The larval host plants of some of the butterflies are listed at the end of the document. Possessing these plants in butterfly parks or gardens will ensure the host plants of the butterflies and enhance the conservation prospects of butterflies.

In urban areas, gardens with larval host and adult nectar plants can attract many butterfly species. This procedure can also be implemented in the home gardens to attract butterflies.

Butterfly diversity

Many species, both common and rare, can be easily and reliably identified in the field. They are also amongst the better-studied groups of organisms with availability of field guides. Further, their diversity and community composition are dependent on that of plants, as their caterpillars have strict dependence on specific host plants. As they undergo metamorphosis, ecologically they contribute more to local diversity because of their dual fundamental role than monomorphic organisms. Therefore, they should be given more prominence in diversity studies (Kunte et al., 1999).

Butterfly diversity in India

The Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector L.,) was the first endemic Indian butterfly to be named by Linnaeus in 1758 (earlier Papilio hector). Then afterwards many species were discovered and described from various museum collections, personal collections around the world. The most recently described species is the Nilgiri Grass Yellow (Eurema nilgiriensis) which was discovered by the Japanese researcher, Osamu Yata, in 1990. By this discovery the total population of India exceeds to 1,501 species.

Butterfly diversity in Western Ghats

The Western Ghats comprises 330 species belonging to 166 genera and five families. Which comprises largest Southern Birdwing (Troides minos) with a wingspan of about 140-190mm to the smallest, the Grass Jewel (Freyeria trochylus) and Tiny Grass Blue (Zizula hylax) with wingspan only 15-22 mm and 16-24 mm respectively. Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae are the major families among the Western Ghats species.

Butterfly diversity in the Sharavathi River Valley

The study was conducted in the entire Sharavathi River Basin (SRB) from Ambuthirtha to Honnavar. The study area is divided in to catchment like, Linganamakki Upstream catchment and down stream catchment i.e., from Jog to Honnavar. The upstream area lies between latitude 13°43¢24¢¢N to 14°11¢57 N¢¢ and longitude 75°40¢58¢¢ E to 75°18¢34¢¢ E in the Shimoga district of Karnataka state. It lies at an elevation of 512 m (Linganamakki dam) to 1343 m (Kodachadri hills). The down stream area lies between 14°08¢27¢¢ N to 14°25¢40¢¢ N and Longitude 74°24¢31¢¢ E to 74°52¢10¢¢ E in the Shimoga and Uttara Kannada Districts of Karnataka State.

Linganamakki upstream area extends over an area of 1991 sq. km (769 sq. miles) and includes a large part of Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary (sanctuary area 431 sq. km out of which an area of 123.63 sq. km is under the water spread of Sharavathi reservoir). The down stream catchment spread over Uttara Kannada and Shimoga district extends over an area of 884 sq. km. And includes a large part of Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary (sanctuary area 431 sq. km) and also Tail Race hydro-electric Project having a submerged forest area of about 472 ha.

Butterfly diversity is high in both the areas. Sharavathi river basin comprises five butterfly families and constitutes 173 species.

Family: Papilionidae

Papilionidae is the smallest butterfly family with about 700 species (4% of global butterfly diversity), but has a worldwide distribution. India harbours 107 species and Peninsular India has 19 species.

The Sharavathi river basin (SRB) comprises all the 19 species of which, 2 are endangered, 5 are endemic to Western Ghats and 3 with shared endemic of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. The Western Ghats species are classified under sub-family Papilioninae.

Papilionidae: Papilioninae: Troidini

Species	Common Name
Troides minos Cramer	Southern Birdwing (WG)
Pachliopta pandiyana Moore	Malabar Rose (WG)
Pachliopta aristolochiae Fabricius	Common Rose
Pachliopta hector L.,*	Crimson Rose (PI&SL)

Papilionidae: Papilioninae: Leptocircini

Graphium sarpedon L.,	Common Bluebottle
Graphium doson C&R Felder	Common Jay
Graphium agamemnon L.,	Tailed Jay
Graphium nomius Esper	Spot Sword Tail
Graphium antiphates Cramer	Fivebar Swordtail

Papilionidae: Papilioninae: Papilioninii

Papilio clytia L.,	Common Mime
Papilio demoleus L.,	Lime Butterfly
Papilio liomedon Moore *	Malabar Banded Swallow Tail (WG)
Papilio dravidarum Wood-Mason	Malabar Raven (WG)
Papilio helenus L.,	Red Helen
Papilio polytes L.,	Common Mormon
Papilio polymnestor Cramer	Blue Mormon (PI&SL)
Papilio paris L.,	Paris Peacock
Papilio buddha Westwood	Buddha Peacock
Papilio crino Fabricius	Common Banded Peacock

Family: Pieridae

Family Pieridae has some of the most familiar butterflies. There are 109 species recorded in India, which are 7.26% of the Indian butterflies. Over 35 species represent this family in peninsular India. This family comprises 33 species in Western Ghats of which 23 species are found in the SRB. Two species are shared endemic of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Pieridae: Coliadinae: Coliadini

Catopsilia pomona Fabricius	Common Emigrant
Catopsilia pyranthe L.,	Mottled Emigrant
Eurema brigitta Cramer	Small Grass Yellow
Eurema laeta Boisduval	Spotless Grass Yellow
Eurema hecabe L.,	Common Grass Yellow
Eurema blanda Boisduval	Three-spot Grass Yellow
Eurema andersoni	One spot Grass Yellow

Pieridae: Pierinae: Pierini

Delias eucharis Drury	Common Jezebel (PI & SL)
Leptosia nina Fabricius	Psyche
Pieris canidia L.,	Indian Cabbage White
Cepora nerissa Fabricius	Common Gull
Anaphaeis aurota Fabricius	Caper White or Pioneer
Appias indra Moore	Plain Puffin
Appias libythea Fabricius	Striped Albatross
Appias albina Boisduval	Common Albatross
Colotis etrida Boisduval	Small Orange Tip
Colotis eucharis Fabricius	Plain Orange Tip
Colotis danae Fabricius	Crimson Tip
Ixias marianne Cramer	White Orange Tip
Ixias pyrene L.,	Yellow Orange Tip

Pieridae: Pierinae: Euchlocini

Pareronia valeria Cramer	Common wanderer
Pareronia ceylanica C&R Felder	Dark Wanderer (PI&SL)
Hebomoea glaucippe L.,	Great Orange Tip

Family: Nymphalidae

Butterflies of this family are popularly known as the “Brush-footed butterflies”, one of the world’s largest and most widespread butterfly family. India has over 520 species and the Western Ghats has 96 species. This family is well distributed in the SRB with 65 species. Three species are endemic to the Western Ghats, 6 species have shared endemism of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka and 2 are endangered.

Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Melanitini

Melanitis leda L.,	Common Evening Brown
Melanitis zitenius Herbst	Great Evening Brown
Melanitis phedima Stoll	Dark Evening Brown

Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Elymniini

Elymnias hypermenstra L.,	Common Palmfly
Lethe europa	Bamboo Tree Brown
Lethe rohria	Common Tree Brown
Mycalesis anaxias Hewitson	White-bar Bushbrown
Mycalesis mineus L.,	Dark-brand Bushbrown
Mycalesis perseus Fabricius	Common Bushbrown
Mycalesis subdita Moore	Tamil Bushbrown
Mycalesis patnia Moore	Glad-eye Bushbrown (PI&SL)
Orsotrioena medus Fabricius	The Nigger
Zipoetis saitis	Tamil Catseye (WG)

Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Satyrini

Ypthima asterope Klug	Common Three-ring
Ypthima hiiebneri Kirby	Common Four-ring
Ypthima baldus Fabricius	Common Five-ring
Ypthima sp.	Ring

Nymphalidae: Charaxinae: Charaxini

Polyura athamas Drury	Common Nawab
Polyura schreiber *	Blue Nawab (PI&SL)
Charaxes bernardus	Tawny Rajah
Charaxes dolon Fabricius	Black Rajah

Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini

Acraea violae Fabricius

Tawny Coster

Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Heliconiini

Cethosia nietneri C&R Felder	Tamil Lacewing (PI&SL)
Vindula erota Fabricius	Cruiser

Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Argynnini

Cupha erymanthis Drury	Rustic
Phalanta phalantha Drury	Common Leopard
Cirrochroa thais Fabricius	Tamil Yeoman (PI&SL)
Argyreus hyperbius L.,	Indian Fritillary

Nymphalidae: Aparturinae

Euripus consimilis

Painted Courtesan

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Neptini

Neptis jumbah Moore	Chestnut-streaked Sailer
Neptis hylas Moore	Common Sailer
Pantoporia hordonia Stoll	Common Lascar

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Limetini

Athyma perius L.,	Common Sergeant
Athyma nefte	Colour Sargeant
Athyma ranga Moore	Blackvein Sergeant
Limenitis procris Cramer	Commander

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Parthenini

Parthenos sylvia Cramer

Clipper

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Euthaliinii

Tanaecia lepidea Butler	Grey Count
Euthalia aconthea Cramer	Common Baron
Euthalia nais Forster	Red Baron or Baronet (PI&SL)
Dolpha evelina Stoll	Red-spot Duke

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Biblini

Byblia ilithyia	Joker
Ariadne merione Cramer	Common Castor
Ariadne ariadne L.,	Angled Castor

Nymphalidae: Limenitinae: Marpesiini

Cyrestis thyodamas

Map

Nymphalidae: Libytheinae

Libythea lepita Moore

Common Beak

Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae: Nymphalini

Junonia hierta Fabricius	Yellow Pansy
Junonia orithya L.,	Blue Pansy
Junonia lemonias L.,	Lemon Pansy
Junonia almana L.,	Peacock Pansy
Junonia atlites L.,	Grey Pansy
Junonia iphita Cramer	Chocolate Pansy
Kaniska canace	Blue Admiral
Cynthia cardui L.,	Painted Lady
Hypolimnas bolina L.,	Great Eggfly
Hypolimnas misippus L., *	Danaid Eggfly (PI&SL)
Doleschallia bisaltide	Autumn Leaf
Kallima horsfieldi Kollar	South Indian Blue Oak Leaf (WG)

Nymphalidae: Danainae: Danaini

Parantica aglea Stoll	Glassy Blue Tiger
Tirumala limniace Cramer	Blue Tiger
Tirumala septentrionis Butler	Dark Blue Tiger
Danaus chrysippus L.,	Plain Tiger
Danaus genutia Cramer	Striped Tiger

Nymphalidae: Danainae: Euploeini

Euploea core Cramer	Common Indian Crow
Idea malabarica Moore	Malabar Tree Nymph (WG)

Family: Lycaenidae

Lycaenidae along with Nymphalidae comprises about 6,000 species worldwide. India has approximately 450 species (21% of total butterflies of India). Lycaenidae is represented by 101 species in Western Ghats complex of which 38 species are found in the SRB. Indian Sunbeam is shared endemic of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Lycaenidae: Riodininae: Riodinini

Abisara echerius Stoll

Plum Judy

Lycaenidae: Miletinae: Spalgini

Spalgis epius WestWood

Apefly

Lycaenidae: Polymmatinae: Polymmatini

Castalius rosimon Fabricius	Common Pierrot
Caleta caleta Hewitson	Angled Pierrot
Discolampa ethion Doubleday & Hewitson	Banded Blue Pierrot
Leptotes plinius Fabricius	Zebra Blue
Azanus ubaldus	Bright Babul Blue
Everes lacturnus Godart	Indian Cupid
Actolepis puspa Horsfield	Common Hedge Blue
Neopithecops zalmora Butler	Quaker
Pseudozizeeria maha Kollar	Pale Grass Blue
Zizeeria karsandra Moore	Dark Grass Blue
Zizina otis Fabricius	Lesser Grass Blue
Zizula hylax Fabricius	Tiny Grass Blue
Chilades laius Stoll	Lime Blue
Freyeria trochylus Freyer	Grass Jewel
Lampides boeticus L.,	Pea Blue
Jamides bochus Cramer	Dark Cerulean
Jamides celeno Cramer	Common Cerulean
Jamides alecto Felder	Metallic Cerulean
Nacaduba pactolus	Large four line blue
Nacaduba hermus	Pale-4 line Blue
Prosotas nora C & R Felder	Common Lineblue
Prosotas dubiosa	Tailless Lineblue
Talicada nyseus Guerin-Meneville	Red Pierrot

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Arhopalini

Arhopala amantes Hewitson	Large Oakblue
Thaduka multicaudata Moore	Many-tailed Oakblue

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Amblypodiini

Iraota timoleon Stoll	Silverstreak Blue
Amblypodia anita Hewitson	Leaf Blue

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Aphnaeini

Spindasis vulcanus Fabricius

Common Silverline

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Loxurini

Loxura atymnus

Yamfly

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Horagini

Rathinda amor

Monkey Puzzle

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Hypolycaenini

Zeltus amasa

Fluffy tit

Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Deudorigini

Deudorix epijarbas	Cornelian
Deudorix isocrates	Common Guva Blue
Rapala manea Hewitson	Slate Flash
Rapala varuna Moore	Indigo Flash

Lycaenidae: Curetinae

Curetis thetis

Indian Sunbeam (PI&SL)

Family: Hesperiidae

The family Hesperiidae, popularly known as the family of “Skippers”, is characterized by antennae with hooks at the tip. This is the third largest family of butterflies in the world. There are about 3,650 species in the world and over 320 in India. Thus, Skippers constitute about 21% of the Indian butterfly fauna. In peninsular India this family constitute over 90 species. This family represented by 81 species in the Western Ghats of which 28 species are found in the SRB. Spotted Small Flat is endemic to the Western Ghats.

Hesperiidae: Coeliadinae

Bibasis sena Moore	Orange Tail Awl
Hasora chromus Cramer	Common Banded Awl
Hasora badra Moore	Common Awl
Badamia exclamationis Fabricius	Brown awl

Hesperiidae: Pyrginae

Celaenorrhinus leucocera Kollar	Common Spotted Flat
Celaenorrhinus ambareesa Moore	Malabar Spotted Flat
Tagiades japetus Cramer	Common Snow Flat
Tagiades litigiosa Moschler	Water Snow Flat
Tagiades gana Moore	Immaculate or Suffused Snow Flat
Pseudocoladenia dan Fabricius	Fulvous Pied Flat
Coladenia indrani Moore	Tricolor Pied Flat
Sarangesa dasahara Moore	Common Small Flat
Sarangesa purendra Moore	Spotted Small Flat (WG)
Odontoptilum angulatum C&R Felder	Chestnut or Banded Angle
Spialia galba Fabricius	Indian Grizzled Skipper

Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae

Ampittia dioscorides	Bush Hopper
Halpe porus	Moore's ace
Lambrix salsala Moore	Chestnut Bob
Notocrypta paralysos Wood-Mason & de Niceville	Common Banded Demon
Notocrypta curvifascia C & R Felder	Restricted Demon
Udaspes folus Cramer	Grass Demon
Suastus gremius Fabricius	Indian Palm Bob
Suastus sp.	Bob
Gangara thyrsis Fabricius	Giant Redeye
Taractrocera maevius Fabricius	Common Grass Dart
Talicota colon Fabricius	Pale Palm Dart
Borbo cinnara Wallace	Rice Swift
Pelopidas mathias	Small branded swift

Note: * indicates Endangered species (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972)
WG indicates Western Ghats endemic
PI & SL indicates Endemic to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Larval host plants of some of the butterflies of SRB

Common Name	Larval host plant
Angled Castor	Ricinus communis, Tragia involucrata and T. plukenetti.
Angled Pierrot	Ziziphus rugosa.
Banded Blue Pierrot	Ziziphus oenoplia, Z.mauritiana and Z. xylopyrus.
Black Rajah	Tamarindus indica.
Black vein Sergeant	Chionanthus mala-elengi, Olea dioica
Blue Mormon	Atlantia racemosa, A. wightii, Citrus Sp., Glycosmis arborea, Paramigyna monophylla and
Blue Pansy	Acanthus Sp., Barleria Sp., Hygrophila auriculata, Justicia procumbens, J. neesii, Lepidagathis prostrata and Antirrhinum orontium.
Blue Tiger	Wattakaka volubilis, Asclepias curassavica, Calotropis gigantea, Hoya Sp. and Tylophora indica.
Brown awl	Combretum albidum, C. latifolium and Terminalia bellarica.
Buddha Peacock	Zanthoxylum rhetsa
Caper White or Pioneer	Capparis rheedii, C. zeylanica, Cadaba fruticosa, C. spinosa, C. sepiaria, C. pyrifolia, C. decidua and Maerua oblongifolia.
Chestnut Bob	Grass Sp. and Bamboo Sp. (in which Bambusa arundinaceae is recorded).
Chocolate Pansy	Hygrophila auriculata, Justicia neesii, Carvia callosa.
Clipper	Adenia hondala, Tinospora cardifolia.
Commander	Neolamarckia cadamba, Cadaba fruticosa, Hedyotis orixense, Mitragyna parviflora, Mussaenda frondosa, Ochreinauclea missionis, Wendlandia exserta and W. thyrsoidea.
Common Three-ring	Grass Sp.
Common Albatross	Drypetes oblongifolia, D. roxburghii and D. venusta.
Common Banded Awl	Pongamia pinnata, Ricinus communis and Trichilia connaroides.
Common Banded Peacock	Chloroxylon swietenia
Common Baron	Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale, Streblus aspera.
Common Bluebottle	Alseodaphne semecarpifolia, Cinnamomum macrocarpum, Polyalthia longifolia, Persea macrantha and Litsea Sp.
Common Bushbrown	Oplismenus compositus and Oryza Sp.
Common Castor	Ricinus communis, Tragia involucrata and T. plukenetii.
Common Cerulean	Butea monosperma, Elettaria cardamomum, Phaseolus adenanthus, Pongamia pinnata, Saraca asoca, Trichilia connaroides and Xylia xylocarpa.
Common Emigrant	Butea frondosa, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia fistula, C. tora and C. siamea.
Common Evening Brown	Apluda Sp, Cryptococcum Sp., Eleusine Sp., Oplismenus compositus, Oryza sativa, Panicum Sp., Sorghum Sp. and Zea mays.
Common Five-ring	Grass Sp.
Common Four-ring	Grass Sp.
Common Grass Yellow	Acacia Sp., Albizzia Sp., Caesalpinia Sp., Cassia fistula, C.tora, Sesbania bispinosa and Pithecellobium dulce.
Common gull	Capparis rheedii, C. zeylanica, Cadaba fruticosa, C. sepiaria, C. decidua and Maerua oblongifolia.
Common Hedge Blue	Paracalyx scariosa, Schleichera oleosa and Xylia xylocarpa.
Common Indian Crow	Ficus racemosa, F. benghalensis, F. religiosa, Nerium odorum, N. oleander, Cryptolepis buchanani, Hemidesmus indicus, Holarrhena pubescens, Ichnocarpus frutescence, Streblus aspera, Cryptolepis elegans and Tylophora indica.
Common Jay	Annona lawii, Cinnamomum macrocarpum, Polyalthia longifolia, Magnolia grandiflora and Michelia champaca.
Common Jezebel	Dendrophthoe falcata, Scurrula parasitica, Viscum Sp. and Helixanthera intermedia
Common Leopard	Flacourtia montana, F. indica, Smilax Sp., Salix Sp., Xylosma longifolium.
Common Lineblue	Acacia caesia, A. catechue and Pithecellobium dulce.
Common Mime	Alseodaphne semecarpifolia, Cinnamomum macrocarpum, Polyalthia longifolia and Litsea Sp.
Common Mormon	Citrus Sp., Glycosmis arborea, Atlantia racemosa, Aegle marmelos, Murraya koenigii, Murraya paniculata and Zanthoxylum rhetsa.
Common Palmfly	Areca catechu, Arenga wightii, Calamus Sp., Cocos nucifera and Phoenix Sp.
Common Pierrot	Ziziphus rugosa, Z. mauritiana.
Common Rose	A. indica,A. bractiola, A. tagala and Thottea siliquosa
Common Sailer	Bombax ceiba, Canavalia gladiata, Corchorus Sp., Flemingia Sp., Grewia Sp., Helicteres isora, Lathyrus Sp., Mucuna purpurea, Nothapodytes nimmoniana, Paracalyx scariosa, Triumfetta Sp., Vigna cylindrica, V. unguiculata and Xylia xylocarpa.
Common Sergeant	Glochidion lanceolarum, G. velutinum and Phylianthus Sp.
Common Silverline	Allophylus cobbe, Cadaba fruticosa, Canthium coromandelicum, Clerodendrum indicum, Ziziphus rugosa and Z. mauritiana
Common wanderer	Capparis rheedii and C. zeylanica
Crimson Rose	A. indica, A. bractiola and Thottea siliquosa
Crimson Tip	Cadaba fruticosa, Capparis divaricata, C. grandis, C. sepiaria and C. ophylla.
Cruiser	Adenia hondala.
Danaid Eggfly	Portulaca oleracea, Asystacia lawiana, Abelmoschus Sp., Abutilon Sp., Barleria cristata and Hibiscus Sp.
Dark Blue Tiger	Wattakaka volubilis, Vallaris heynei.
Dark Evening Brown	Apluda Sp., Cryptococcum Sp., Eleusine Sp., Oplismenus compositus, Oryza sativa, Panicum Sp., Sorghum Sp. and Zea mays.
Dark-brand Bushbrown	Grass Sp.
Giant Redeye	Calamus rotang, Caryota urens, Cocos nucifera, Licuala grandis, Phoenix acaulis, P. lourierii.
Glad-eye Bushbrown	Oryza Sp.
Glassy Blue Tiger	Calotropis gigantea, Ceropegia bulbosa, Cryptolepis buchanani, Tylophora indica and T. tenuis.
Great Eggfly	Sida rhombifolia, Portulaca oleracea.
Great Evening Brown	Bamboo Sp.
Grey Count	Careya arborea, Melastoma malabathricum.
Grey Pansy	Barleria Sp., Hygrophila auriculata.
Indian Cabbage White	Some plants belonging to the family Cruciferae.
Indian Cupid	Lotus corniculatus
Indian Fritillary	Viola Sp.
Indian Grizzled Skipper	Hibiscus Sp., Sida rhombifolia, Waltheria indica.
Indigo Flash	Lantana camara, Quisqualis indica, Sapindus laurifolia, Ziziphus rugosa, Z. xylopyrus.
Large Oakblue	Species of Terminalia (T. alata, T. catappa and T. paniculata), Lagerstroemia microcarpa, L. reginae and Xylia xylocarpa.
Lemon Pansy	Barleria Sp., Cannabis sativa, Corchorus capsularis, Hygrophila auriculata, Nelsonia canescens and Sida rhombifolia.
Lime Blue	Atlantia racemosa, A. wightii, Citrus limon, C. sinensis and Naringi crenulata.
Lime Butterfly	Citrus Sp., Murraya koenigii,Glycosmis arborea,Atlantia racemosa, Aegle marmelos, Luvanga Sp., Chloroxylon swietenia, Zanthoxylum Sp., and Acronychia Sp.
Malabar Banded Swallow Tail	Acronychia pedunculata and Euodia lunu-akenda.
Malabar Raven	Glycosmis arborea
Malabar Rose	Thottea siliquosa
Malabar Tree Nymph	Aganosoma cymosa.
Mottled Emigrant	Cassia auriculata, C. fistula, C. tora, C. occidentalis, Sesbania bispinosa and Gnidia glauca.
Painted Lady	Artemisia Sp., Blumea Sp., Debregeasia bicolor, Gnaphalium Sp., Tricholepis Sp. and Zornia gibbosa.
Pale Grass Blue	Nelsonia canescens, Oxalis corniculata, Tephrosia pauciflora.
Pale Palm Dart	Bamboo Sp.
Paris Peacock	Citrus Sp., Euodia lunu-akenda, Toddalia asiatica and Zanthoxylum ovalifolium.
Pea Blue	Butea monosperma, Crotalaria Sp., Pisum sativum, Vigna sinensis and species of gram.
Peacock Pansy	Acanthus Sp., Barleria Sp., Gloxinia Sp., Hygrophila auriculata and Phyla nodiflora.
Plain Puffin	Drypetes Sp.
Plain Tiger	Calotropis gigantea, Asclepias curassavica and Cryptolepis buchnani.
Psyche	Capparis rheedii, C. spinosa, C. zeylanica, Cleome viscosa.
Quaker	Glycosmis arborea.
Red Baron or Baronet	Diospyros melanoxylon, Shorea robusta.
Red Helen	Citrus Sp., Clausena heptaphylla, Euodia Sp., Glycosmis arborea, Toddalia asiatica, Phellodendron Sp. And Zanthoxylum rhetsa.
Red Pierrot	Kalanchoe laciniata and K. pinnata.
Red-spot Duke	Anacardium occidentale, Diospyros candolleana, D. melanoxylon.
Restricted Demon	Costus speciosus, Curcuma decipiens, Hedychium (?), Kaempferia rotunda and Zingiber montanum.
Rustic	Flacourtia montana, F. indica.
Slate Flash	Sorbaria sorbifolia, Antidesma acidum, A. ghaesembilla, Ziziphus Sp., Quisqualis indica, Camelia sinensis, Acacia megaladena, A. pennata and A. torta.
Small Grass Yellow	Cassia kleinii.
Small Orange Tip	Cadaba fruticosa, Maerua oblongifolia and Capparis sepiaria
Southern Birdwing	Aristolochia indica, A. bractiola, A. tagala and Thottea siliquosa
Spot Sword Tail	Polyalthia longifolia and Paramigyna monophylla.
Spotless Grass Yellow	Cassia fistula.
Striped Tiger	Asclepias curassavica, Ceropegia intermedia, Stephanotis Sp. and Tylophora tenuis.
Tailed Jay	Annona Sp., Cinnamomum macrocarpum, Polyalthia longifolia, Michelia champaca , Artabotrys Sp. And A. hexapetalus
Tamil Lacewing	Adenia hondala, Passiflora edulis and P. subpeltata.
Tamil Yeoman	Hydnocarpus pentandra.
Tawny Coster	Adenia hondala, Passiflora edulis, P. foetida and P. subpeltata.
The Dark Wandere	Capparis rheedii
The Great Orange Tip	Capparis moonii, C. spinosa, C. cleghornii, Crateva adansonii and C. magna.
The Nigger	Imperata Sp. and Oryza sativa
Three-spot Grass Yellow	Albizzia Sp., Cassia fistula, Delonix regia and Pithecellobium dulce.
Water Snow Flat	Dioscorea oppositifolia and Smilax Sp.
White Orange Tip	Capparis decidua, C. divaricata, C. grandis and C, sepiaria.
White-bar Bushbrown	Grass Sp.
Yellow Orange Tip	Capparis sepiaria
Yellow Pansy	Barleria Sp., Hygrophila auriculata.
Zebra Blue	Albizzia lebbek, Sesbania bispinosa, Indigofera Sp., Plumbago zeylanica, Dyerophytum indicum and Mimosa Sp.

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