Western Ghats Host 337 Butterfly Species

In September 2024, a new study highlights that the Western Ghats are home to 337 butterfly species, with Kerala boasting the highest number, while the diversity diminishes as one moves northward.

Key Points

Species Distribution: The Western Ghats feature 337 butterfly species: Kerala has 328, Tamil Nadu 326, and Karnataka 317. The southern regions exhibit the highest species diversity, which decreases moving northward.
Butterfly Families: The study categorizes species into various families: Papilionidae (19), Pieridae (34), Nymphalidae (100), Riodinidae (2), Lycaenidae (99), and Hesperiidae (83).
Endemic and Protected Species: Of the 40 strictly endemic species, only 22 are listed on the IUCN Red List, with two classified as ‘near threatened’ and the rest as ‘least concern.’ Approximately 71 species (21%) are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Conservation Discrepancies: Some strictly endemic and rare species are not protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and certain common species are on the IUCN Red List despite being less threatened.
Diversity Across Regions: The southern and central Western Ghats have the highest butterfly diversity, each with 324 species, while the northern region has only 255 species.