Nilgiri tit butterfly

14 Nov 2024 12:14:48 pm

Tags : Nilgiri tit butterfly

Topic: Biodiversity

Why in the news?

Butterfly enthusiasts from the Nilgiris have recorded for the first time in India, the Nilgiri tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica) utilizing a large terrestrial orchid plant as a host. The study, which was conducted near the Kallar horticultural garden, it is hoped, will help preserve the habitat utilized by the rare, endemic butterfly that is classified under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Source: The Hindu

About Nilgiri tit butterfly:

It belongs to the family Lycaenidae.
It was first described in 1884 from Coonoor in the Nilgiris; it has since been recorded in Sri Lanka.
It was also found in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Idukki district, and Silent Valley National Park of Palakkad district in Kerala.
Appearance:
- The male is dark reddish purple-brown on the upper side. It has two black spots capped in orange near the tails.
- The female is pale brown.
It inhabits forests and lush home gardens, especially those with orchids.
It was noted to lay its eggs on the inflorescence (complete flower head) of the larval host plant, Eulophia epidendraea, a terrestrial orchid species.
- This is the first known record of the butterfly using this particular species of plant as a host.
- This terrestrial orchid was found on rocky slopes in humid areas.
This butterfly is classified under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.