butterflies of andaman

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BUTTERFLIES OF ANDAMAN High degree of Endemism i.e. Species found here are found nowhere else in the world. Butterflies face a high risk of Extinction due to deforestation and Habitat loss. Most of the species are classified as Rare and Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) IUCN is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species.

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There are over 1500 different butterflies found in India belonging to six different families. There is a Great diversity of butterflies found in the India and many of the species found over the region are endemic.The Andaman and Nicobar Islands where the study was carried out has a highly endemic, there are around 230 species recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands. The endemics face a high degree of extinction due to habitat destruction and fragmentation of forests. Most of the species are classified as endangered and rare in the IUCN Red Data List and are given protection under the Indian Law. As these islands are fast undergoing developmental changes the thick forest cover is diminishing. There is an urgent need to study in detail the butterfly fauna of the region as these are of prime importance to the ecosystem.

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Page 1: Butterflies of Andaman

BUTTERFLIES OF ANDAMAN

• High degree of Endemism i.e. Species found here are found nowhere else in the world.

•Butterflies face a high risk of Extinction due to deforestation and Habitat loss.

•Most of the species are classified as Rare and Endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN)

• IUCN is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species.

Page 2: Butterflies of Andaman

Yamfly is a beautiful butterfly belonging to Family:-Lycaenidae, one of the commonest butterflies observed in Andamans.It has an association with ants and can be seen in small groups feeding on plant sap.

Page 3: Butterflies of Andaman

Yellow Orange Tip is a medium sized butterfly belonging to Family:-Pieridae. They are so called due to the characteristic orange tips on their forewings and is an Endemic Sub-species. Here a pair of butterflies can be seen mating...

Page 4: Butterflies of Andaman

Common Snow Flat is a peculiar butterfly belonging to Family:- Hesperiidae. It’s one of the few butterflies which cannot fold its wings.

Page 5: Butterflies of Andaman

Tree Yellow is yet another endemic sub-species found on these islands belonging to Family:- Pieridae.

Page 6: Butterflies of Andaman

Small Leopard is one of the most abundant butterflies found here it belongs to Family:- Nymphalidae. It’s Locally common and its name comes due to the characteristic leopard like spots on the wings.

Page 7: Butterflies of Andaman

Small Leopard Mating

Page 8: Butterflies of Andaman

Yellow Pansy prefers dry and grass habitats, has a swift and direct flight. It can be commonly seen basking in patches of sunlight.

Page 9: Butterflies of Andaman

Andaman Palmfly and Andaman Palmking both belong to Family:-Nymphalidae and both of them are a Rare site. They can be seen flying around palm trees in dense forests.

Page 10: Butterflies of Andaman

Great Orange Tip can be seen in thick forests flying high up in the trees. This individual was Mud-puddling near a stream. Mud-puddling is a activity in which butterflies obtain salts which accumulate on banks of river.

Page 11: Butterflies of Andaman

Leopard Lacewing is a big butterfly seen in thick forests, belonging to Family:- Nymphalidae. The flight is slow and the male is darker than the female.