Coimbatore: The results of the recently-concluded Butterflies and Odonate (Dragon fly and Damsel fly) Survey held in Coimbatore has shown positive signs concerning the population of the species, including the sighting of three new species thus boosting the need for continuous systematic monitoring.
Coimbatore: The results of the recently-concluded Butterflies and Odonate (Dragon fly and Damsel fly) Survey held in Coimbatore has shown positive signs concerning the population of the species, including the sighting of three new species thus boosting the need for continuous systematic monitoring.
With an earlier estimated population of around 272 species of butterflies, the results of this year's survey has produced 195 butterflies and 42 species of odonates.
K Mohan Prasath, Founder of 'Act for Butterflies' said that the numbers would rise in the coming days after reviewing photographs taken during the survey. “The teams had spotted three species including the White Tufted Royal, Malabar Banded Peacock and Common Ciliate Blue which have been spotted here for the first time,” he stated. He further added that many rare odonates were also spotted during the three-day survey which emphasises the importance of preserving their habitats.
“The teams were able to spot 104 species of butterflies in Kuttralam and Ponnuthu. Karamadai also had an abundant butterfly population with 35 mud puddling spots. The team that surveyed Walyar spotted the maximum number of odonates,” he added. Encouraging people to start seeing butterflies and odonates in their backyard, especially during the ongoing migration season, Mohan Prasath opined that awareness could help preserve them better with people participation in the future.
51 members from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka participated in the survey that was jointly organised by the Coimbatore Forest Division and Act for Butterflies.
With an earlier estimated population of around 272 species of butterflies, the results of this year's survey has produced 195 butterflies and 42 species of odonates.
K Mohan Prasath, Founder of 'Act for Butterflies' said that the numbers would rise in the coming days after reviewing photographs taken during the survey. “The teams had spotted three species including the White Tufted Royal, Malabar Banded Peacock and Common Ciliate Blue which have been spotted here for the first time,” he stated. He further added that many rare odonates were also spotted during the three-day survey which emphasises the importance of preserving their habitats.
“The teams were able to spot 104 species of butterflies in Kuttralam and Ponnuthu. Karamadai also had an abundant butterfly population with 35 mud puddling spots. The team that surveyed Walyar spotted the maximum number of odonates,” he added. Encouraging people to start seeing butterflies and odonates in their backyard, especially during the ongoing migration season, Mohan Prasath opined that awareness could help preserve them better with people participation in the future.
51 members from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka participated in the survey that was jointly organised by the Coimbatore Forest Division and Act for Butterflies.