Kerala’s Butterfly Wealth: A Biodiversity Hotspot Under the Lens

Why a new butterfly monograph matters for UPSC Prelims & Mains

Introduction

India’s biodiversity narrative received a major boost with the publication of a comprehensive monograph on butterflies of Kerala in ENTOMON, an open-access entomology journal. The study establishes Kerala as the State with the highest butterfly diversity in the Western Ghats, reinforcing the ecological significance of this global biodiversity hotspot.

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Key Findings at a Glance

• 328 butterfly species recorded from Kerala

• 41 species endemic to the Western Ghats

• Western Ghats host 337 species in total, meaning Kerala accounts for nearly the entire diversity

• Butterflies span 6 families, dominated by:

  • Nymphalidae – 97 species

  • Lycaenidae – 96 species

  • Hesperiidae – 82 species

📌 UPSC Prelims tip: Family-wise dominance and endemism are frequently tested in biodiversity questions.

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Kerala as a Migration Corridor

The study documents 36 migratory butterfly species, highlighting Kerala’s role as a seasonal movement corridor along the Western Ghats.

Why this matters:

• Indicates habitat connectivity

• Reflects climate sensitivity

• Supports the concept of ecological corridors in conservation planning

📌 Mains GS III linkage: Wildlife corridors, climate change, and ecosystem resilience.

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Conservation Status & Legal Protection

IUCN Red List

• 22 species from Kerala are IUCN-listed

• Majority under ‘Least Concern’

• 2 species classified as ‘Near Threatened’

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• 70 species protected

• Only 4 species under Schedule I (highest protection)

📌 Prelims alert: Questions often test Schedule I species and the scope of the Wildlife Protection Act.

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Larval Host Plants: A Major Scientific Contribution

One of the most valuable outcomes of the monograph is its larval host plant checklist:

• 1,800+ feeding records

• 350+ new field observations

• Nearly 800 plant species documented

• One of the largest region-specific datasets in India

Why it is important:

• Butterfly survival depends on host plant availability

• Aids habitat restoration & species-specific conservation

• Strengthens ecosystem-based conservation strategies

📌 UPSC angle: Links biodiversity conservation with plant–insect interdependence.

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Significance for Environmental Governance

This study reinforces the need for:

• Western Ghats-specific conservation planning

• Protecting micro-habitats, not just flagship species

• Integrating scientific data into policy frameworks

It also underlines the importance of open-access scientific research in democratizing ecological knowledge.

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Conclusion

The butterfly diversity of Kerala is not merely a statistic—it is a reflection of ecological integrity, habitat continuity, and conservation responsibility. For UPSC aspirants, this study offers rich material across Prelims, GS III (Environment), Essay, and Interview discussions, especially in themes related to biodiversity hotspots, conservation laws, and climate resilience.