Butterflying in Kanha

There are more than 18,000 species of butterflies in the world with India known to have 1501+ species. Today butterfly watching has become a major hobby for many and information about these beautiful insect is available from many books and online through net. Butterflies can be seen in open grasslands, thick forests, bushes and especially around flowers and water pools. They play a very important role in our survival by pollinating plants.

Butterflies fall under insect order Lepidoptera, have 4 wings, 6 legs, 3 parted main body comprising of head, thorax and abdomen, compound eyes, exo skeleton and a pair of antennae. They are classified into two Super families: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea.

Kanha National Park is a very good place to observe and study butterflies. We at Kanha Village Eco Resort have planted host plants which help to attract native butterflies species. We have spots with flowers, grassland, trees and shrubs which act as perfect hosts for our colored friends. Kanha Tiger Reserve has more than 115 varieties of butterflies which can be seen in almost all the seasons but Mid June to Late November is the best time.

For guests who want to do photography of butterflies or are interested in studying them our property is a very good option especially since we have dense forest on one side, water body on one and open land on third which all add to our advantage. Interested guests are requested to carry a binocular and good guide book on butterflies of Central India and for photography a good macro lens with flash and light tripod or monopod.

List of Some Butterflies found in Tiger reserves of Central India:

1) Swallowtails (Common Rose, Pachliopta arstolochiae, Crimson Rose, Pachliopta hector, Common Mime , Papilio clytia, Lime Butterfly, Papilio demoleus, Common Mormon ,Papilio polytes).

2) Whites & Yellows (Common Jezebel, Delias eucharis, Yellow Orange Tip, lxias pyrene, Lemon Emigrant , Catopsilia crocale , Common Grass Yellow, Eurema hecabe, Small Grass Yellow, Eurema brigitta, rubella.

3) Blues (Zebra Blue , Leptotes plinius, Pale Grass Blue , Pseudoziziria maha, Gram Blue , Euchrysops Cnejus, Common Silverline , Spindasis vulcanus, Plum Judy , Abisara echerius).

4) Milkweed butterflies (Plain Tiger , Danaus chrysippus, Common Tiger, Danaus genutia, Glassy Tiger, Parantica aglea, Indian Common Crow , Euploea core) ;

5) Browns (Common Evening Brown, Melanites leda, is meme Dark Evening Brown, Melanitis phedima))

6.) Nymph Lids (Angled Castor, Ariadne ariadne, Common Castor , Ariadne merione , Common Leopard , Phalanta phalantha, Lemon Pansy , Junonia lemonia, Yellow Pansy , Junonia hiertas, Peacock Pansy, Junonia almanac, Chocolate Pansy, Precis iphita, Blue Pansy ,Junonia orithya, Grey Pansy, Junonia atlites, Danaid Eggfly, Hylpolimnas missipus, Orange Oakleaf , Kallima inachus, Common Sailor ,Neptis hylas, varmona, Baronet, Euthalia nais Synphaedra nais, Tawny Coster ,Acraea violated.

7) Skipers (Indian Grass Demon , Edaspes folcus).

Macro Photography: Kanha national park is one of the best place for macro photography. Although best time for macro work is Monsoon when tiger reserve is closed but you will find enough number of subject for photography in peripheral area of tiger reserve and even at the resort. If planning a trip for macro photography do not forget to carry your macro lens with good flash and rain coat for yourself as well as for your equipment's.