Table of Contents
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
- Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats has been declared the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu.
- The southern State formally notified this by an order on lines of the State Tree (Palm), Bird (Emerald Dove), Flower (Gloriosa) and Animal (NilgiriTahr).
TAMIL YEOMAN
NOTES
- This butterfly species moves in groups in large numbers, but only in a few places.
- Also known as Tamil Maravan, which means warrior, these butterflies are found mainly in the hilly areas.
ROLE OF BUTTERFLIES
- Butterflies are significant for environment as they play the main role in pollination and food chain.
- For many other species like birds and reptiles, butterflies become a prey.
STATE BUTTERFLIES
- Tamil Nadu is the fifth state in the country to announce its state butterfly and Maharashtra was the first in the country to announce its state butterfly (Blue Mormon) followed by Uttarakhand (Common Peacock), Karnataka (the Southern Birdwing) and Kerala (Malabar banded peacock or buddha butterfly).