A note on the biology, host plants and distriutional record of Goa’s state butterfly- Idea malabarica

Abstract

The Malabar tree nymph butterfly, Idea malabarica (Moore, 1877) (Nymphalidae: Lepidoptera) was declared as state butterfly of Goa at the fifth Goa bird festival – December 2021 by Government of Goa. This butterfly is familiar for its captivating black and white wing pattern and unique gliding flight hence it is also known “Paperkite”. Idea malabarica is endemic to the moist evergreen forests of Western Ghats and is categorized as “near threatened” species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It undergoes complete metamorphosis with six week of life period. Five instar larval phase feeds mainly on Aganosma cymosa, a species of Apocynaceae family. Losses of habitat and climate change are the major concerns to be dealt for the conservation of butterflies, which are indicators of healthy ecosystem and healthy environment.