‘Blue tigers' light up Thenmala butterfly park

KOLLAM: The Thenmala Butterfly Safari Park is hosting hundreds of blue tiger ( Tirumala septentrionis) butterflies these days, in the process attracting a surge of tourists too.

Though blue tigers are common in Kerala, they are generally seen as solitary fliers. A huge cluster, swarming around host trees, as seen in the park, is a rarity. They seem least perturbed by visitors and are quite at home in the park. Though not in huge numbers, the common crow butterflies are keeping the visitors company.

According to the park authorities, the migratory blue tigers arrive here during this time of the year. Where it is not raining, they hover around crotalaria plants, whose leaves provide them with nourishment.

The 3.5-hectare park shelters around 40 species of butterflies. Even the rare autumn leaf butterfly was sighted there.

Natural habitat

A project of the Tourist Department, the park was set up by the Kerala Forest Research Institute.

The park is in fact a simulation of the butterflies' natural habitat. Nectar and host plants, suiting the needs of various species of butterflies, have been planted in the park. Here, the visitor can also learn about the lifecycle and other aspects of the butterflies.

Source :The Hindu, 5-11-2010