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Butterfly diversity in Kerala and the Western Ghats

17 Dec 2025 GS 3 Environment
Butterfly diversity in Kerala and the Western Ghats Click to view full image

Context

  • A new monograph titled “The Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of Kerala: Status and Distribution” was published in ENTOMON, an open-access quarterly journal of the Association for Advancement of Entomology.

Key findings

Butterfly diversity

  • Kerala hosts the highest butterfly diversity among all Indian States.

  • 328 butterfly species recorded in Kerala.

  • Western Ghats support 337 species, indicating Kerala accounts for nearly the entire Western Ghats butterfly diversity.

  • 41 species are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Taxonomic composition

Butterflies in Kerala span six families:

  1. Nymphalidae – 97 species (largest family)

  2. Lycaenidae – 96 species

  3. Hesperiidae – 82 species

  4. Papilionidae

  5. Pieridae

  6. Riodinidae

Butterflies belong to Order Lepidoptera, Suborder Rhopalocera.

Migratory species

  • 36 migratory butterfly species documented.

  • Highlights Kerala’s role as a key ecological corridor for seasonal butterfly movements.

  • Indicates habitat connectivity and ecosystem health in the Western Ghats.

Conservation status

  • 22 butterfly species recorded from Kerala are listed in the IUCN Red List.

    • Majority under Least Concern

    • Two species classified as Near Threatened

  • IUCN listing does not automatically confer legal protection in India.

Legal protection in India

  • 70 butterfly species in Kerala are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

  • Only four species are included in Schedule I, which provides:

    • Highest level of legal protection

    • Strict restrictions on hunting and trade

Ecological significance

Importance of butterflies

  • Act as bioindicators due to sensitivity to:

    • Habitat degradation

    • Climate change

  • Play a role in:

    • Pollination

    • Food web dynamics

Importance of host plants

  • Butterfly conservation is closely linked to:

    • Availability of larval host plants

    • Habitat diversity

  • Larvae depend on specific host plants, while adults mainly feed on nectar.

Western Ghats relevance

  • Western Ghats:

    • One of the global biodiversity hotspots

    • A UNESCO World Heritage Site

    • Characterised by high endemism

  • High butterfly diversity reflects overall ecosystem richness and resilience.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Q. With reference to butterfly diversity in India, consider the following statements:

  1. The Western Ghats support more than 300 butterfly species.

  2. Kerala accounts for nearly the entire butterfly diversity of the Western Ghats.

  3. Kerala has the highest butterfly diversity among all Indian States.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (d)

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: Western Ghats support 337 species.

  • Statement 2 is correct: Kerala has 328 species, covering nearly the entire diversity.

  • Statement 3 is correct: Kerala hosts the highest butterfly diversity among Indian States.

  • This is a factual ecology-based question, frequently asked by UPSC.

Q. Butterflies belong to which of the following taxonomic groups?

(a) Order Lepidoptera and suborder Rhopalocera
(b) Order Coleoptera and suborder Rhopalocera
(c) Order Lepidoptera and suborder Heterocera
(d) Order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita

Correct answer: (a)

Explanation:

  • Butterflies are classified under:

    • Order: Lepidoptera

    • Suborder: Rhopalocera

  • Moths belong to Heterocera.

  • UPSC often tests basic taxonomy linked to current affairs.



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