Imagine seeing hundreds of butterflies in the sky!

A few years ago, while walking in the garden at my workplace in Mysuru in Karnataka, India, I witnessed scores of butterflies flying in the sky! Upon closer inspection, I found that they were of different species, all heading in the same direction. As I watched, hundreds of butterflies seemed to appear as though from a hidden store. They made a pretty sight in so many colors and hues as they chased each other across the sky.

This spectacular display reminded me of a truly magnificent Canadian documentary titled “Flight of the Butterflies” which I watched in 2013. This film showcases the work of Dr. Fred Urquhart, a scientist who spent nearly 40 years studying the migration of the Monarch butterfly from Central Mexico to the United States and Canada and back [1]. That is quite a journey! I can vividly recollect the joy I experienced seeing scores of butterflies on the screen at the Dome Theatre at the Tech Museum in Downtown San Jose, California.

On sighting so many butterflies in Mysuru, my curiosity was piqued. I wondered where they were heading, and which butterfly species were part of this flight. My search revealed a very interesting story and here it is.

Every year, butterflies migrate, in search of better climatic conditions, from between the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and the surrounding eastern plains [3]. During the months of October and November, after the onset of the northeast monsoon, they migrate from the plains to the ghats. Then, in April and May, before the onset of the southwest monsoon, they migrate from the ghats to the plains. This migration happens across the southern states of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala [2].

Researchers have found the key species involved in the migration to be the Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Double-branded Black Crow and Indian Common Crow [2,3, 4]. 

 

Double-branded-crow
(Source: http://indiasendangered.com/to-breed-or-not-to-breed-migratory-butterflies-of-india-make-smart-choices-finds-a-new-study/)

I was curious to know of any attempts to track their journey, similar to Dr. Urquhart’s work. I learned that three organisations – Ferns Naturalists’ Society (FNS), Wayanad, Travancore Natural History Society (TNHS) and the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) – have come together for the first time and launched a citizen science project to map the path of the butterflies in South India [2]. There’s a WhatsApp group called Migration India which has butterfly enthusiasts from across India who follow the path of the butterflies [5]. In addition, several researchers are charting the path of the butterflies, thus contributing to a better understanding of these patterns and aiding in conservation efforts.

Witnessing this natural phenomenon was truly awe-inspiring. Protecting these butterflies and understanding their migration patterns are crucial for preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of the Western Ghats.

Over the last few years, I have seen a decrease in the number of butterflies. It is a cause for concern as butterflies play the crucial role of pollinators in our ecosystem and they are important for life to sustain on our planet. Climate change, deforestation and excessive use of pesticides are some of the reasons for the decrease. If all of us are mindful of our actions, we can contribute to conserving these beautiful creatures.. A few steps that we can take are:

  • Reduce usage of pesticides, herbicides and rodenticides in our homes and gardens
  • Contribute to afforestation efforts
  • Plant native species that will attract butterflies to your garden

Conservation efforts, ongoing research, and public awareness are vital to ensuring that future generations can continue to witness and benefit from this natural marvel. Let’s create a world where these beautiful creatures can thrive.

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Butterflies
  2. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/project-maps-butterfly-migration-in-south-india/article25528169.ece
  3. http://indiasendangered.com/to-breed-or-not-to-breed-migratory-butterflies-of-india-make-smart-choices-finds-a-new-study/
  4. https://www.mysorenature.org/inside-mysore/karanji/butterfly-migration-at-rmnh-mysore
  5. https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/how-group-experts-have-been-tracking-migratory-pattern-butterflies-using-whatsapp-127456

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