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Species in News: Swallowtail Butterflies
Context:
A recent study highlights significant threats to swallowtail butterflies in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, often called the “citrus belt of the world.”
More on News:
- The study identifies the overexploitation of 25 medicinal host plant species as a primary threat to swallowtail butterflies. These plants are essential for the butterflies’ larval development and adult resources.
- Factors contributing to butterfly decline include illegal cattle farming in protected areas, agricultural expansion, tea cultivation, illegal logging, and pesticide use.
Host plants are fundamental to the lifecycle of many species, playing an essential role in their reproduction and sustenance,”. The absence of two rare species, the Bhutan glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii) and the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis), during the survey further underscores the dire situation. The research calls for immediate attention to conserve both the butterflies and their vital host plants, stressing the need for sustainable practices that protect the ecological balance in this unique region of Assam.
About Swallowtail Butterflies:
- Classification: Swallowtail butterflies belong to the family Papilionidae within the order Lepidoptera.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- Distribution: Found worldwide, except in the Arctic region.
- Features: Many are large, brightly coloured butterflies characterised by tail-like extensions on their hindwings, resembling the tails of swallows.
- Habitat: Including forests, meadows, gardens, and wetlands.
- Swallowtails primarily feed on nectar from flowers and are often seen near mud or damp sand, sipping dissolved minerals and salts.
Swallowtail Butterflies in India:
- India is home to 77 of the 573 known swallowtail butterfly species globally.
- The northeastern region, particularly, has been designated a ‘swallowtail-rich zone’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with 69 species documented.
- The research observed 4,267 individuals across 35 species from eight genera in the Manas Biosphere Reserve, highlighting the area’s importance as a habitat for these butterflies.
- Three species are endemic to the region, and 12 are under federal protection, indicating the ecological significance of this biodiversity hotspot.
- “Butterflies serve as valuable indicators of environmental health, influencing their presence, abundance, and diversity.
