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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
A checklist of butterflies in the Kalvarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats, Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors
Devika M, Dr Bavani Govindarajulu, Sandhiya B
Abstract
Butterflies are important ecological indicators because their
diversity, abundance, and distribution are closely associated with vegetation,
habitat conditions, and environmental changes. The present study was undertaken
to record the butterfly diversity and species abundance in the Kalvarayan Hills
of Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu, India. Field surveys were conducted
fortnightly for one year, from November 2024 to October 2025, covering the
Parigam to Vellimalai regions. Butterfly observations were carried out using
the line transect and Pollard walk methods. A total of 5,030 individual
butterflies representing 77 species and six families, namely Nymphalidae,
Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Hesperiidae and Riodinidae, of which eight
species are legally protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 were
recorded. Among the documented families, Pieridae was the most abundant,
followed by Nymphalidae and Papilionidae, whereas Hesperiidae and Riodinidae
showed comparatively lower abundance. Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)
was the most abundant species with 380 individuals, followed by Common
Albatross (Appias albina) with 363 individuals and Chocolate Pansy (Junonia
iphita) with 232 individuals. Several species were recorded with single
individuals such as Charaxes psaphon, Mycalesis subdita, Euthalia
aconthea, Gomalia elma, Spalgis epius, Potanthus
pseudomaesa, Tagiades japetus, Celaenorrhinus leucocera, Celaenorrhinus
ambareesa, Halpe hindu and Abisara echerius. The considerable
variation in species abundance may be associated with differences in habitat
utilization, availability of larval host plants and nectar resources, and local
environmental conditions. The findings highlight the rich butterfly assemblage
of the Kalvarayan Hills and emphasize the ecological importance of this
landscape for butterfly conservation. The present study provides baseline
information on butterfly diversity and abundance that can contribute to future
ecological monitoring and conservation planning in the Eastern Ghats.
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Pages:549-557
How to cite this article:
Devika M, Dr Bavani Govindarajulu, Sandhiya B "A checklist of butterflies in the Kalvarayan Hills, Eastern Ghats, Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu, India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 549-557
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