Sahyadri Bird Wing

August 06, 2023

Troides minos (1779 Cramer) ഗരുഡശലഭം

Malayalam Name : ഗരുഡശലഭം

Family : Papilionidae

Sub Family : Papilioninae

Tribe : Troidini

Order : Lepidoptera ( Butterflies and Moths)

DISTRIBUTION

It is restricted to southern India and is very common in many areas of

Southern and Central Western Ghats.

STATUS

It is common in the Monsoon and post-Monsoon months but uncommon in summer.

HABITAT

It inhabits diverse habitats from law land, evergreen forests near

the coast to mixed deciduous forests, dry scrub and agricultural fields.

HABIT

It is usually flies very high among or above tree-tops in the forest but some times descends to the ground. Even while flying in the canopy it attracts attention because of its extremely large size, the wingspan being larger than those of some small birds, hence the name 'Birdwing'. The only food source of this butterfly is flower nectar. It keeps fluttering its wings while feeding but closes them over its back when it rests. Fly long distance . The Birdwing starts flying very early in the morning . Its black scales are very efficient in capturing heat. Wing span is 140-190 mm.

IDENTIFICATION FACTORS

The upper surface of the fore wing is deep black with white bordered black veins. Upper hind wings golden yellow with black veins. The female is similar to the mail but less shiny and has a raw of large triangular black spots on the yellow area of the hind wings. In both the sexes the underside are similar to the upper side.

LARVAL HOST PLANTS

Ariatolochia indica, Ariatolochia tagala, Thottea siliquosa.

LIFE CYCLE

The female lays spherical eggs singly on the edges of the under side of young leaves and shoots. The little caterpillar lives on the under side of the leaves but it has grows fatter and longer it rests on the under side of the stalks and stem. The caterpillar is velvety maroon-red and a shiny black head. The pupa is pale brown or green marked with fine brown striations and minute markings. The length of caterpillar is 90mm and length of pupa is 50 mm.