A team of butterfly observers and researchers have discovered the White Tufted Royal Butterfly, a rare and protected species, in Kannur, Kerala. The butterfly, which falls under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was previously spotted in Agasthyakoodam in 2017 and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018. The finding of the butterfly indicates the rich fauna and flora of the area and the team aims to document and study biodiversity.

 

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Butterflies are insects from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. They are known for their large, brightly colored wings and fluttering flight. Recently, a new species of butterfly known as Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) was discovered as India's largest butterfly after 88 years.

 

Butterflies play an important role in biodiversity as they act as indicator species, providing information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and other species within it. They also act as pollinators, helping in pollination and conserving several species of plants. However, the survival of rare species such as White Tufted Royal Butterfly in Kannur is under threat due to unregulated laterite and granite quarries in the area, and steps need to be taken to protect the hills. Image: Anila Manalil, Butterflies of India