7 Finalists For India's National Butterfly

September 2020 is National Butterfly Month in India! 

Children love to draw and colour these beautiful insects but have you noticed that they are increasingly hard to find in parks, gardens and other outdoor spaces now? India has about 1,400-18,00 species of butterflies. 

A group of butterfly enthusiasts, researchers, writers, and experts from across the country have initiated a  ‘national butterfly’ nomination for India. There are 7 finalists being considered for the position of India’s National Butterfly. 

1. Krishna Peacock, also called Papilio Krishna (Found in West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Yellow Gorgon (Found in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and West Bengal)
3. Five-bar Swordtail ( Found in North-eastern Indian states, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Karnataka)
4. Orange Oakleaf(Found all across India)
5. Common/Indian Nawab (Found all across India)
6. Common Jezebel(Found in North-eastern Indian states, Adaman & Nicobar Islands and Chhattisgarh)
7. Northern Jungle Queen (Found in Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh)

Indians can vote for the Butterfly that they think should be crowned the National Butterfly of India, till 8th October. Which butterfly do you think will become India’s National Butterfly?

Use this link to cast your vote: https://forms.gle/kLrXD5AouN4VeSUC9

Fun Facts About Butterflies

#1: The lifecycle of a butterfly can take about 3 to 4 weeks to complete in tropical regions whereas their lifespan can range between 4 weeks to a year.

#2: Butterflies protect themselves from predators using techniques like camouflage, mimicry and disruptive coloration.

#3: Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet! These help female butterflies identify their host plants!

#4:  Butterfly wings are made up of two chitinous membranes which are covered with thousands of tiny scales