Butterfly Migration in India

There are two seasonal butterfly migrations in India. It occurs between the Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats.

What are the two seasonal butterfly migrations in India?

• The first butterfly migration begins in May and June. This is before the onset of south west monsoon. The butterflies migrate from Eastern Ghats to Western Ghats. The first migration is to avoid intense rain that makes their survival difficult.
• The second migration is in September. That is, before the north east monsoon starts in eastern ghats. During this time, they migrate back to the western ghats from eastern ghats.

Why do the butterflies migrate to Eastern Ghats?

During South West Monsoon (June to September), the western ghats receive heavy rainfall. On the other hand, the rainfall in the eastern ghats is comparatively less. The eastern ghats receives rainfall only during retreating monsoon, that is, between October and November. Thus, the eastern ghats are ideal for the butterflies in June to September. During this period, they breed and reproduce in the Eastern Ghats.

What are the concerns?

In 2021, an early migration of the butterflies occurred. This early migration is happening after eight years. The early second migration occurred due to extensive rainfall in the eastern ghats. The off springs wouldn’t have survived the extreme weather. Also, there was lack of food that forced early migration.

What are the inferences?

The butterflies are bioindicators. The early migration means early arrival of monsoon. The study of seasonal migration of butterflies is important to track climate change altering weather phenomenon.