Butterfly Survey in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary – Over 80 Species Recorded in Telangana

A landmark butterfly and moth survey was recently conducted in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Mulugu district, Telangana. Over four days (November 6‑9, 2025), more than 80 butterfly species were recorded in what is being described as a “first-of-its-kind” large-scale study in the sanctuary.
This ambitious initiative involved researchers, forest officials, and citizen scientists, underscoring butterflies’ role as ecological indicators and helping us better understand the health of this biodiverse forest ecosystem.

Why Eturnagaram Is a Great Place for Butterflies

• Ecological Importance: Butterflies and moths are sensitive to micro‑climate changes (like temperature and humidity) — making them excellent indicators of forest health.

• Forest Habitat: Eturnagaram is a dry deciduous forest zone, featuring streams, hills, and well‑vegetated trails — all of which support a rich lepidopteran (butterfly + moth) fauna.

• Conservation Value: Documenting butterfly diversity helps forest managers detect ecological stress early and guides conservation planning for fragile habitats.

Key Findings from the Survey

• Over 80 species of butterflies were identified during the survey, out of roughly 150 species known in Telangana.

• The survey mobilized around 60 participants, including photographers, scientists, and volunteers from across India.

• Migrant species documented include: Angle, Small Flat, Red Eye, Grizzled Skipper, Black Rajah, Tawny Rajah, Oak Blue, and Nawab.

• The survey was conducted along 13 designated forest trails, with teams working in the morning and evening — prime hours for butterfly activity.

• The exercise was supervised by Dr. Chitra Shankar, a principal scientist in entomology from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Previous Research & Baseline Data

• A one-year study (2015–2016) in Eturnagaram recorded 30 butterfly species across 4 major families: Nymphalidae (13 species), Pieridae (11), Papilionidae (5), and Lycaenidae (1).

• A more recent research document, “Nature’s Palette: The Butterfly Abundance of Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary”, compiles years of field observations, noting seasonal patterns, host plants, and species interactions.

Conservation Significance

• Indicator Species: The presence and diversity of butterflies reflect the forest’s microclimate health, helping detect stress from climate change or human disturbance.

• Habitat Assessment: By cataloguing species across trails, the survey identifies butterfly hotspots, which can guide protected-area management (e.g., preserve certain forest pockets, manage visitor routes).

• Community & Science Engagement: Involving volunteers, forest staff, and researchers builds awareness, strengthens conservation networks, and fosters long-term citizen science.

• Policy Implications: Data from butterfly surveys can inform forest restoration, ecotourism planning, and biodiversity monitoring strategies in Telangana’s Eastern Ghats.

Challenges & Next Steps

• Under‑Sampling Risk: Even with 80+ species recorded, more comprehensive surveys (seasonal, across years) are needed to capture rare or cryptic species.

• Need for Long-Term Monitoring: Butterflies’ sensitivity to environmental change means regular monitoring should be institutionalized.

• Habitat Threats: Forest degradation, climate variability, and human disturbance could threaten these butterfly populations without active management.

• Public Engagement: Scaling up such surveys with schools, local communities, and eco-tour groups can strengthen conservation impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why survey butterflies and moths in a wildlife sanctuary?
Butterflies and moths are excellent ecological indicators — their abundance and diversity reflect the health of the forest’s microclimate, moisture, and habitat integrity.

Q2. How many butterfly species were found in this survey?
More than 80 species were documented during the four-day survey, representing over half of the known butterfly species in Telangana.

Q3. Who organized the survey?
The survey was a joint effort by Orugallu Wildlife Society (OWLS) and the Telangana Forest Department, with expert supervision by Dr. Chitra Shankar (ICAR).

Q4. When and where was the survey conducted?
It ran from 6–9 November 2025 across 13 designated forest trails in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary.

Q5. Why is this survey important for conservation?
The survey helps identify butterfly hotspots, supports long-term habitat monitoring, informs restoration efforts, and engages local communities in conservation.

Conclusion

The butterfly and moth survey in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary marks a major milestone for biodiversity science in Telangana. With over 80 species documented, the exercise strengthens our understanding of forest ecology and highlights the role of invertebrates as sentinels of ecosystem health. As the region moves forward, ongoing monitoring, deeper research, and community involvement will be key to conserving this delicate tapestry of color and life fluttering through the Eastern Ghats.