Praveen g nair

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Code: Butterfly Life
Skills: Butterflies of India
Client:Save Tree Save Life Society
Website: www.savetreesavelife.org

Project Description

The Malabar tree nymph (Idea malabarica) is a large butterfly found in peninsular India. is a large butterfly found in peninsular India. that belongs to the danaid group of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in forest clearings and above the forest canopy.

Description:
- The Malabar tree nymph has a wingspan ranging from 120 to 154 mm. It predominantly appears as a mostly white butterfly adorned with black markings.
- On the upper side, its wings are semitransparent white, sometimes slightly infuscated with a powdering of black scales. The forewing features narrow black margins along both sides of the veins, a dusky streak along the dorsum, and large sub-basal spots in interspaces 1 and 2. Additionally, there’s a large oval spot crossing three streaks in the discoidal cell.
- The hindwing also bears similar markings, including paired spots on veins 5, 8, and 7. The overall effect is striking and visually captivating.
- Interestingly, the Malabar tree nymph is unpalatable, much like other members of the Danainae subfamily.
Habitat and Range:
- This butterfly is endemic to the southern Western Ghats in India. It thrives in forest clearings and above the forest canopy.
- Their flight is slow, weak, and fluttery, and they often glide above the tree canopy, earning them the nickname “Paperkites”.
- While the species is found in southern Maharashtra, its true distribution starts from Goa. Within India, it is especially prevalent in the Western Ghats.