Nilgiri tit Butterfly

About Nilgiri tit Butterfly: 

• It belongs to the family Lycaenidae.
• It was first described in 1884 from Coonoor in the Nilgiris; it has since been recorded in Sri Lanka.
• It was also found in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Idukki district, and Silent Valley National Park of Palakkad district in Kerala.
• Appearance
  • The male is dark reddish purple-brown on the upper side. It has two black spots capped in orange near the tails. The female is pale brown.
• Habitat: They inhabit forests and lush home gardens, especially those with orchids. 
• It was noted to lay its eggs on the inflorescence (complete flower head) of the larval host plant, Eulophia epidendraea, a terrestrial orchid species.
• This is the first known record of the butterfly using this particular species of plant as a host.
• This terrestrial orchid was found on rocky slopes in humid areas.
• This endemic butterfly is classified under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Q1: What Are Orchids?

The orchid family is one of the largest groups of flowering plants on the planet. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica and in almost every conceivable habitat. The highest numbers of orchids grow in the rainforests, loving the humidity and shade provided by these environments. 

News: Nilgiris butterfly experts record host plant of endemic butterfly species