Population dynamics of southern birdwing (Troides minos Cramer, 1779) in Sirumalai Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Southern birdwing Troides minos (Cramer, [1779]), a large swallow tail butterfly, state butterfly of Karnataka, is endemic to south India. T. minos was listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild fauna and flora) and is of high conservation priority. IUCN also recommends close monitoring of T. minos. The population trend of T. minos, in Sirumalai Reserve Forest, Eastern Ghats was monitored for the period of twenty six months using the line transect method. Higher prevalence of T. minos butterflies were observed and recorded over the study. This study highlights the abundance of T. minos in certain months of the study period and peak abundance during the post monsoon period.