Banneraghatta zoo showcases protected Malabar butterfly species

Bengaluru: To create awareness, Bannerghatta zoo in this tech city is hosting a week-long event showcasing the protected Malabar butterfly species which are endemic in the Western Ghats.

"The event is being held from June 28-July 4 to showcase Malabar butterflies in our biological park and mark the country's 75 years of independence - 'Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'," said zoo executive director Vanashree Vipin Singh on the occasion.

The Central Zoo Authority identified the city zoo to host the Malabar banded swallowtail butterflies to highlight in-situ and ex-situ conservation stories of Indian fauna.

"Though the species is not housed in any zoo due to its high endemicity and limited knowledge on its husbandry practices, we are experimenting by setting up dedicated butterfly parks with common species, which are popular with visitors, especially children," said Singh.

As butterflies play an important role in conserving and maintaining a balance in the ecosystem, Singh said visitors could learn about these winged insects and ways to conserve them.

As a large dazzling, brownish-black butterfly with a prominent cream-yellow band on its hind wing, the species inhabits semi-evergreen and evergreen rain forests. Both sexes have a preference for heavily forested areas, the difference being in their favoured strata.

"The species life cycle consists of four phases -- egg, larva, pupa and imago. The female lays 10-16 eggs one over the other in a sequence resembling a stick. The colour of eggs fades from orange to yellow," said Singh.

Pale black markings appear on the upper side of the eggshells by the fourth day and larvae hatch by the fifth day. Pupation starts after 22 days of larval duration and lasts for about 15 days.

"Forest fragmentation and reduction in pure evergreen species of host plants are some of the impending threats to the butterflies," said Singh.

As part of the event, webinars are being conducted to create awareness about the Malabar butterflies. Online competitions such as quiz, drawing, craft, photography and elocution are also being held for greater participation.

"The event is being held as an outreach campaign under 'conservation to co- existence: The people connect'. The campaign aims to generate conservation awareness for 75 wild animal species through public engagement across 75 weeks in 75 zoos till August 15, 2022," added Singh.