Butterflies survey in Western Ghats

The Western Ghats is still home to large varieties of butterflies points out a survey in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS).

Highlights of the survey

• The survey was done jointly by the Forest and Wildlife Department in association with the Ferns Nature Conservation Society (FNCS).
• The survey was mainly aimed at assessing the butterfly diversity in the forest areas of the region, which is vulnerable to climatic changes.
• Researchers sighted 191 species, 12 of which are endemic to the biodiversity-rich region.
• The first-time sighting of Silver forget me not, Common three ring, and Brown onyx was also recorded.
• The diversity was very rich in areas where plants such as Mikania micrantha and Lantana camera remained dominant.

Significance of butterflies

• Butterflies are one of the best bio-indicators.
• The sighting of 191 species of butterflies is an evidence of a healthy butterfly habitat in the region.
• But the degradation of the riparian forest in many part of the region may adversely affect the butterfly habitat in the near future.
• The diversity of butterflies is affected where alien invasive plants such as Senna spectabilis invade other endemic plants.