Article:
The recently discovered butterfly subspecies, Caltoris bromus sadasiva, in the outskirts of Akkulam and Vembanad lakes in Kerala, has been making headlines. This discovery holds significant importance for several reasons.
About the Discovery
The Caltoris bromus sadasiva subspecies belongs to the skipper butterfly family of Lepidoptera, which includes moths and butterflies. This represents the first documented subspecies of the Bromus swift (Caltoris bromus) butterfly in the Western Ghats and Peninsular India.
The Count of Butterfly Species
With this newly discovered subspecies, the number of butterfly species found in the Western Ghats now stands at 336. Furthermore, it increases the count of skipper butterflies to 83. The last discovery of a skipper butterfly was recorded almost 75 years ago.
About Caltoris
Caltoris is an Indo-Australian genus with over 15 species spread across southeast Asia. Among these species, Caltoris bromus has two other subspecies: Caltoris bromus bromus and Caltoris bromus yanuca.
Vembanad Lakes: A Key Habitat
Vembanad Lake, also known as Vembanad Kayal, Vembanad Kol, Punnamada Lake (in Kuttanad), and Kochi Lake (in Kochi), is the largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India. This water body sees its source in four rivers namely: Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala. It cuts off from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island and has established itself as a popular backwater stretch in Kerala. In 2002, the lake made it to the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention. It is the second-largest Ramsar site in India after the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
State Butterfly: An Interesting Fact
Amidst these discoveries and discussions on butterfly species, it’s interesting to note that in 2016, Maharashtra became the first state in India to declare a ‘State Butterfly’. The honour was bestowed upon the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor), the second largest butterfly in India after the Southern Birdwing. This particular butterfly is only found in Sri Lanka, the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, South India and coastal regions of the country. The Blue Mormon is known for its velvet and black wings adorned with bright blue spots.
The Great Indian Hornbill: Another Remarkable Species
Moving away from butterflies, another interesting species is the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ which is also associated with the Western Ghats. Great Indian Hornbills are large, wide-ranging birds that rely on tropical forest habitats with tall trees. India has nine Hornbill species, four of which are found in the Western Ghats – Indian Grey Hornbill (endemic to India), Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic to the Western Ghats), Malabar Pied Hornbill (native to India and Sri Lanka), and the endangered Great Indian Hornbill.
This new butterfly discovery, along with the prevalence of unique species in the region, highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and the need for conservation efforts.
