Nilgiri Tit Butterfly:
Nilgiris have recorded for the first time in India, the Nilgiri tit Butterfly (Hypolycaena nilgirica) utilising a large terrestrial orchid plant as a host.
- Nilgiri tit Butterfly belongs to the family Lycaenidae.
- It was first described in 1884 from Coonoor in the Nilgiris, it has since been recorded in Sri Lanka.
- It was also found in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Idukki district, and Silent Valley National Park of Palakkad district in Kerala.
- The male is dark reddish purple-brown on the upper side. It has two black spots capped in orange near the tails. The female is pale brown.
- This is the first known record of the butterfly using this particular species of plant as a host.
- This terrestrial orchid was found on rocky slopes in humid areas.
- This endemic butterfly is classified under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.
