Butterflies of the Indian Region

623 Pages·87.914 MB·English

by  Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth

BUTTERFLIES
OF THE
INDIAN REGION
M. A. Wynter-Blyth
with
27 coloured and 45 black-and-white plates
THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
BOMBAY
PUBLISHERS' NOTE TO REPRINT EDITION
*
INDIA, the land of sunshine, is a land of Butterflies; for, though
in the arid plains of the north insect-life languishes during the dry
months, it revives marvellously when the periodic rains set in. The
study of Entomology is, therefore, an interesting recreation for those
who can pursue it. When restricted to Butterflies, it offers a field
for scientific enquiry of the highest importance, in connection especially
with the origin of species and other congnate questions. The field of
observation offered by India is as varied as it is vast. Here we have
every climate from eternal snows to the tropics—and all the most
interesting phenomena of Entomology may here be studied in life.
The scientists who have taken up the study on the subject have
worked under difficulties sufficient to dishearten to most ardent stu
dents because no attempt has been made to bring the study of science
within the reach of the public. The published information is scattered
over numerous works which being out of print are not available. The
older books deal with butterflies from all parts of the world and the
more recent papers deal with particularly localities, consisting of bare
and incomplete lists of names, with distinctions of a few species.
It has been well-nay impossible under such circumstances for
collectors of butterflies to name their own specimen.
It was to fill such void that Bombay Natural History Society pub
lished 'Butterflies of the Indian Region' by WYNTER-BLYTH in 1953
which unfortunately for the Scientists soon ran out of print.
We, therefore, in order to restore this lost treasure of research
work have brought out its facsimile reprint in limited quantity at high
cost.
Previous books on Indian butterflies have been almost entirely
concerned with their identification. They dealt with them as objects
to collect rather than as living, breathing animals. They provided exce
llent though sometimes complicated keys for the proper recognition
of the butterflies after they had become specimens for the store boxes,
but told little of how these interesting and attractive insects lived.
It is mainly in this respect that Butterflies of the Indian Region is
different. For besides the lavish illustrations and workman like keys and
descriptions-for identification, it provides authentic concise information
concerning the early stages, foodstuffs of the caterpillars, enemies,
habits and ecology and many other aspects that primarily concern
the living insect.
5
• _ _— ,
Ll\f ) i
The author has collected and studied Indian butterflies for over two
decades in practically all their major habitats, from the tropical rain
forests of the Western Ghats to the high Himalayan meadows. His
special interest in bioJogicaJ studies is apparent throughout the work,
and he has taken full advantage of the researches and writings of the
late T.R.D. Bel! in Kanara to supplement his accounts.
New Delhi.
September 1981. R.K.JAIN.
r
OTHER BOOKS ON LEP1DOPTERA IN REPRINT EDITION
THE BUTTERFLIES OF INDIA, BURMAH AND CEYLON
A descriptive handbook of all the known species of Rhopalocerous
Lepidoptera inhabiting that regions, with notices of allied species
occuring in the neighbouring countires along the border; with numerous
illustrations.
By
MAJOR G.F.L. MARSHALL. Fellow of the Zoological Society of
London; and Member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and of the British
Ornithologists' Union.
and
LIONEL DE NICEVILLE, Assistant in the Entomological Department,
Indian Museum, Calcutta; and Member of the Entomological Society,
London; and of the Asiatic Society, Bengal.
Reprint 1979 (Original 1882-1890) 25 x 18 cm. Rs. 1500.00 $ 300.00
Vol.1 1882 (Reprint 1979). vii+327 pages. 17 Plates comprising 67
figures and 20 wood cut. Plate of frontisepiece in multi-colours.
Vol.11 1886 (Reprint 1979). vii + 332 pages. Plates comprising 119
figures.
Vol.III 1890 (Reprint 1979). ix+503 pages. 6 Plates comprising
123 figures, 2 plates are multi-coloured.
The book attempts a life history of each or any of the insects and is
designed for the convenience of the naturalists in the field who have no
access to the libraries. Where necessary full extracts from other works
are given; and where possible the description of species are given in
the words of the original describers supplemented by any further detail
needed to complete them. For the genera the admirable descriptions
by Westwood have been followed. The book comprises the detail
descriptions of every genus and species known to occur within the
limits of India, Burmah and Ceylon; and short descriptions are added
in smaller type of species from neighbouring countires on the border,
such as Malaysia, Siam, Yunan, Tibbet, South Turkistan, Afghanistan
and Bluchistan.
The illustrations have been given to indicate the more typical
forms and to supplement the written descriptions. One illustration of
each genus and of sub-genus are given as mere descriptions fails
to convey a sufficiently clear connection of the forms. A glance at the
plates will usually be sufficient to guide the beginners as to the place
where the descriptions of any particular species may be found. Though
at high cost the illustration of 50 species are in colour and those of 200
in monochrome.
THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA
Authoritative Taxonomic Monographs of High Scientific
Standard on the different Groups of Animals
Formerly published under the authority of the Secretary of State for
India in Council. Edited by A.B. SHIPLEY, M.A., Hon., D.Sc. F.R.S.,
F.E.S. and now continued by the GOVERNMENT OF INDIA under
the editorship OF THF DIRECTOR OF ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF INDIA.
Order (E) LEPIDOPTERA
(a) Butterflies
Edition 2.
Vol. 1—By TALBOT, G. 1939 (March 8). xxx+600 + 6 (unnumbered)
+6 pp., 3 pis. (all col.), 1 flgd. map. Rs. 125.00 $ 25.00 First
Indian Reprint 1975 Second 1978
Vol. 2—By TALBOT, G. 1947 (December 31). Errata slip regarding
title+xvi+506-h4 (unnumbered) pp., 2 pis. (both col.). Price.
Rs. 125.00 $ 25.00 First Indian Reprint 1975; Second 1978.
The study of BUTTERFLIES has progressed largely since the
publication of Bingham's work in this Series and, therefore, its revision
became necessary as much new knowledge of the subject has been
acquired. The work of coordinating this has involved entire re-writing
of Bingham's work.
In recent years a study of the Works of the older naturalists has
resulted in new ideas on the subject of nomenclature and in consequence
a number of names hitherto well-known, have had to be changed.
With the increase in our knowledge of the various groups, it will be
found that the classification differs in some respect from that adopted
in earlier works.
All available information on the habits and life history of the
species have been incorporated in the volumes. These volumes cover the
entire range of the subject. No similar account is to be found in any
single entomological text book.
The illustrations are from a variety of sources. Owing to large
number of figures in the text, the number of coloured plates has had
to be curtailed.
MOTHS LEPIDOPTERA
G.F. HAMPSON
Vol. 1— (Fam 24, Saturniidae—23, Hypsidae) pp. i-viii, 1-527,
text-figs. Rs. 125.00S25.00 Reprint 1976.
Vol.2— (Fam. 24. Arctiidae: -25, Agaristidae; 26. Noctnidae) pp.
i iv, 1-609, text-figs. Rs. 150.00$ 30.00 Reprint 1976.
Vol. 3— (Fam. 26, Noctuidae (Subfam. Focillinae, Deltoidinae):
27, Epicopiidae; 28, Uraniidae, 29, Epiplemidae 30, Geo-
metridae). pp. i-xxiii, 1-546 text-figs. Rs. 125.00 $ 25.00
Reprint 1976.
Vol. 4— (Fam. 31, Pyralidae; additions and corrections to Fam.
1-30) pp. i-xxviii, 1-594. text-figs. Rs. 150.00 $ 30.00 Re
print 1976.
Vol.5— (Sphingidae). by R.D. Bell and F.B. Scott, pp. i-xviii,
1-537.15 pis., text-figs. Rs. 200.00 5 40.00 Reprint 1976,
BUTTERFLIES
OF THE
INDIAN REGION
M. A. Wynter-Blyth
with
27 coloured and 45 black-and-white plates
THE BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
BOMBAY
i
FIRST EDITION .. 1957
i>
f
I
All Rights Reserved
Set in 10 Pt Monotype Times New Roman and printed by K. O. Stiffle
at the CME Press Poona for the Honorary Secretary,
Bombay Natural History Society.
i
PREFACE
T has long been felt that the most serious obstacle to collecting
butterflies in India has been the lack of a suitable handbook. It is
hoped that this volume will meet that need, and will encourage many
more to take up this most fascinating hobby than have done so hitherto.
It was originally planned that this work should follow the form of
the two volumes in the Natural History Series published by the Bombay
Natural History Society, and include only the commoner and more
interesting species. I was strongly against this, not only because it is
impossible to make a satisfactory selection to cover so huge an area
as the Indian Region, but also because such a book is of very little use
to the serious collector. But as space was limited and did not permit of
the inclusion of every Indian species, it was decided to omit the less
common Skippers and all high-elevation butterflies (those from above
about 10,000 ft). This compromise should, 1 think, prove satisfactory
as within those limits descriptions of all Indian and Cingalese butter
flies have been included except for a few of the rarest species. The latter
have, however, always been mentioned with their necessary references.
Every effort has been made to produce a book that is simple enough
for the beginner and, at the same lime, a serious contribution to
entomology.
As the main aim of the collector will be to identify the butterflies
he has caught, first place has been given to this. The. beginner may
find the keys and descriptions forbidding, but they have been simplified
•
•
as far as I consider safely possible.
My grateful thanks are due to the following gentlemen :
D. Sanders for a detailed account of the butterflies of the Sikkim-
Darjeeling area, and for his list of butterflies of Calcutta, and for
much other valuable information; J. A. Yates for his lists of the
butterflies of Bangalore, Coorg, and the Nilgiris, for details about
nomenclature, for descriptions of South Indian Melanitis, for his
VI
account of the habits of Parantirrhoea marshalli, and for other valuable
material; P. Morrison-Godfrey for an account of the butterflies of
South Bihar; Maitland Emmet for a brief but valuable list of butterflies
from various localities in South India; Professor Bole of the Ayurvedic
College, Jamnagar, for checking the botanical names in the list of
larval foodstuffs; and the British Museum for their whole-hearted
co-operation over the production of certain Lycaenid and Hesperiid
plates—the selection of specimens for the latter being personally made
by Brigadier W. H. Evans.
The majority of keys and descriptions are based on those given in
Evans's Identification of Indian Butterflies.