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. 24/10/2024 5:43 PM
Why is the finding of the Nilgiri tit using a terrestrial orchid as a host important for conservation efforts?
In a remarkable development for butterfly enthusiasts, a team of researchers in the Nilgiris has made a significant discovery: the Nilgiri tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica) has been recorded using a terrestrial orchid as a larval host for the first time in India. This important finding, documented near the Kallar horticultural garden and published in The Tropical Lepidoptera, holds crucial implications for the conservation of this rare butterfly, which is listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The Nilgiri tit is an endemic butterfly species, first described in 1884. Native to the Nilgiris, it has also been observed in neighboring Sri Lanka. Historically, this butterfly was recorded in limited areas, particularly around the foothills of the Nilgiris, making its ecological niche all the more vital to understand.
Prior to the late 1980s, the Nilgiri tit was primarily documented by researchers Wynter-Blyth in 1944 and Larsen in 1987. However, sightings have become more frequent in recent years across various locations in the Western Ghats. Notable areas include the Geddai slopes in Nilgiris, Aiyannar Falls in Virudhunagar, the Anamalais region in Coimbatore, and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The butterfly has also been spotted in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, indicating a wider distribution than previously understood.
The pivotal discovery that the Nilgiri tit lays its eggs on the inflorescence of Eulophia epidendraea, a specific terrestrial orchid, has been a breakthrough. This marks the first documented instance of this butterfly utilizing this plant as a host, expanding our understanding of its lifecycle and ecological interactions.
Eulophia epidendraea typically flourishes on rocky slopes in humid environments. In the area where the discovery was made, this orchid thrives alongside grasses such as Cymbopogon flexuosus, Chrysopogon nodulibarbis, and Melinis repens. The relationship between the Nilgiri tit and its host plant is crucial for the butterfly’s lifecycle, highlighting the interconnectedness of species within their ecosystems.
The Wynter-Blyth Association has been instrumental in documenting this research. Their efforts in identifying the larval host plant and its habitat have enriched our knowledge of the Nilgiri tit’s lifecycle and the specific environmental conditions it requires to thrive.
The identification of Eulophia epidendraea as a larval host plant for the Nilgiri tit is a significant advancement for conservation efforts. This finding not only enhances our understanding of the butterfly's ecology but also underscores the urgency of protecting the habitats where these plants grow. Safeguarding these ecosystems is crucial for the survival of the Nilgiri tit and its associated biodiversity.
The Wynter-Blyth Association anticipates that this groundbreaking discovery will pave the way for further conservation studies in the region. Protecting the Nilgiri tit will also contribute to the preservation of the intricate ecological relationships that exist within its habitat, promoting overall biodiversity conservation.
This documentation of the Nilgiri tit’s relationship with Eulophia epidendraea represents a significant milestone in butterfly research in India. It emphasizes the need for ongoing studies and conservation initiatives in the Nilgiris and surrounding regions to ensure the survival of this unique species and its ecosystem.
