Kurinjimala is home for the largest butterfly
Birdwing
MUNNAR, Sept. 30, 2015: Southern Birdwing, the largest butterfly in India, and Davidson's Bushbrown, endemic to Palni Hills, have been spotted in the Kurinjimala Sanctuary in a butterfly survey conducted by Kerala Forest Department.

Southern Birdwing (Troides minos, which is also known as Sahyadri Birdwing)as well as Davidson's Bushbrown (Heteropsis davisoni, which is also known as Palni Bushbrown) had earlier been spotted in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Birdwing is found in the Kadavri area of the Sanctuary which has been degraded by planting of eucalyptus and black wattle in the fast.

Other species recorded in the Sanctuary included Yellow Stripped Hedge Hopper, Palni Fritillary, Palni Fourring and Nilgiri Clouded Yellow. Though as many as 50 species were spotted, the number of butterflies in the Sanctuary was lower compared to the nearby protected areas.

Other species recorded in the Sanctuary included Yellow Stripped Hedge Hopper, Palni Fritillary, Palni Fourring and Nilgiri Clouded Yellow. Though as many as 50 species were spotted, the number of butterflies in the Sanctuary was lower compared to the nearby protected areas.

The highest number of species were found in Mathikettan Shola National Park-- 148, followed by Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary-- 141. (The shola had been saved in the past from encroachers and declared a national park). Migration of Indian Common Crow, Common Emigrant, Common Albatross, Double Branded Crow and Great Eggily was observed by the surveyors in Kurinjimala and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries.

The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Travancore Natural History Society and the Kottayam Nature Society.



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