The age of most butterflies is a few weeks, but they have a profound impact on humanity.
In addition to clear aesthetic and intrinsic values, there are a number of reasons why butterfly conservation is important.
They hold a significant place in our culture and have helped scientists understand evolution.
Scientists observe butterflies to develop new technologies as many as artists who admire their beauty.
In addition, their complicated relationship with other creatures in the ecosystem makes their conservation foremost.
Popular butterflies in all cultures throughout the world.
They are related to the soul, eternity and happiness throughout the culture.
For example, the Greek word for butterflies means ‘soul’.
Egyptian murals describe them as a symbol of resurrection.
Romans believe butterflies have a spiritual relationship.
Being one of the most studied insects, ancient butterflies has been traced to the time of Trias late when dinosaurs roam the earth.
Their evolution for millions of years has helped us understand biogeography, population dynamics, mimicry, and genetics for some people.
A recent study found that one gene called ‘DoubleSex’ which regulates the mimicry in the butterfly is a breakthrough in genetics.
Butterflies are considered fossils living by scientists for this reason.
The study of their anatomy and behavior leads to solving complex problems in the biomimicric domain.
For example, the new power saving display is developed by mimicing a structural pattern in the wings of butterflies that need light around to produce many colors.
Butterflies are a very good bio indicator.
They represent ecological balance in their territory.
Throughout their life cycle, directly from eggs, larvae, pupa and adults, they are connected with various ways to flora and fauna in the region.
In the stage of their larvae, they depend on certain plant species, called host plants, for food.
They come from not only nutrition but also poisons if there are several species such as tigers and jezebels of plants, which they use to prevent their enemies.
Butterflies have pollined flowering plants and evolved along with them since the Cretaceous period.
Their main food sources are nectares who need a number of flowering plants.
They are selective about the flowers they visit, which are arranged by long probes (organs such as tubes used to suck), flower size and plant height.
This makes them an effective pollination, especially wildflowers, making it very necessary for green cover.
Butterflies form a significant link in the food chain as a prey for several species such as birds, dragonflies, frogs, spiders, wasps and lizards.
For this species it develops, it is important to have a healthy butterfly population.
Some species are very specific about their habitat.
For example, nilgiri cloudy yellow, bushbrown red eyes and bowbrown red-disc butterflies are endemic to Shola.
And Shola itself is an endemic vegetation of Western Ghats.
Protecting butterflies means protecting fragile habitat ecologically too.
Butterfly migration is a large phenomenon in India Peninsular which attracts many interests in naturalists.
Butterflies migrated in thousands of Western Ghats to the East Plains and returned to escape the rainy season.
Hundreds of butterflies perched on one tree is a common phenomenon in this season.
Butterfly tourism is expected to be a significant attraction that has picked up in northeast India.
Life is not all roses for this winged beauty.
The northern shift in the incidence of their species was reported due to changes in the weather pattern.
Habitat fragmentation is another big threat to the butterfly population.
Because green cover is reduced and urbanization, their future is in danger.
Butterfly conservation in an area does not stop protecting the winged beauty but also dripping down to maintain the diversity of interest and faundal.
Efforts for effective butterfly conservation must begin by mapping the distribution of butterflies and the appearance of their host plants in the region.
Citizens’ awareness and participation between young people is the need for hours to protect this winged jewelry.
(Divya Bharathi M is the Deputy Forest Conservator, SIPNA Wildlife Division, Matghat Tiger Reserve)