List of butterflies of Tamil Nadu

This is a list of butterfly species found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In this state 325 species of butterflies are expected to occur. In 2018, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department released a book called Butterflies of Tamilnadu with 312 species.

Papilionidae—swallowtail butterflies (19 species)
Pieridae—yellow-white butterflies (32 species)
Nymphalidae—brush-footed butterflies (96 species)
Lycaenidae—blues butterflies (93 species)
Riodinidae—Judies butterflies (2 species)
Hesperiidae—skipper butterflies (83 species)

Family Papilionidae[]

There are 19 species recorded.

Subfamily Papilioninae[]

Genus Graphium (Pathysa)—swordtails, zebras[]

Spot swordtail, Pathysa nomius (Esper, 1798)
Fivebar swordtail, Pathysa antiphates (Cramer, 1775)

Genus Graphium (Graphium)—bluebottles and jays[]

Common jay, Graphium doson (C. & R. Felder, 1864)
Tailed jay, Graphium agamemnon (Linnaeus, 1758)
Southern/ Narrow-banded bluebottle, Graphium teredon (Felder & Felder, 1864)

Genus Atrophaneura (Pachliopta)—roses[]

Common rose, Pachliopta aristolochiae (Fabricius, 1775)
Crimson rose, Pachliopta hector (Linnaeus, 1758)
Malabar rose, Pachliopta pandiyana (Moore, 1881)

Genus Troides—birdwings[]

Southern birdwing, Troides minos (Cramer, 1779)

Genus Papilio (Chilasa)—mimes[]

Common mime, Papilio (Chilasa) clytia, Linnaeus, 1758

Genus Papilio (Papilio)—swallowtails[]

Malabar banded swallowtail, Papilio liomedon (Moore, 1874)
Blue Mormon, Papilio polymnestor (Cramer, 1775)
Red Helen, Papilio helenus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Mormon, Papilio polytes (Linnaeus, 1758)
Malabar raven, Papilio dravidarum (Wood-Mason, 1880)
Lime butterfly, Papilio demoleus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common banded peacock, Papilio crino (Fabricius, 1792)
Malabar banded peacock, Papilio buddha (Westwood, 1872)
Paris peacock, Papilio paris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Family Pieridae[]

There are 32 species recorded.

Subfamily Pierinae—whites[]

Genus Pieris—whites[]

Indian cabbage white, Pieris canidia Linnaeus, 1768

Genus Anaphaeis—pioneers[]

Pioneer (caper white), Anaphaeis aurota Fabricius, 1793

Genus Cepora—gulls[]

Common gull, Cepora nerissa Fabricius, 1775
Lesser gull, Cepora nadina Lucas, 1852

Genus Ixias—Indian orange tips[]

White orange tip, Ixias marianne Cramer, 1779
Yellow orange tip, Ixias pyrene Linnaeus, 1764

Genus Delias—Jezebels[]

Common Jezebel, Delias eucharis Drury, 1773

Genus Prioneris—sawtooths[]

Painted sawtooth, Prioneris sita C. Felder, 1865

Genus Appias—puffins and albatrosses[]

Spot puffin, Appias lalage (Doubleday, 1842)
Plain puffin, Appias indra Moore, 1857
Striped albatross, Appias libythea Fabricius, 1775
Chocolate albatross, Appias lyncida Cramer, 1777
Common albatross, Appias albina Felder
Lesser albatross, Appias wardii (Moore, 1884)

Genus Leptosia—Psyche[]

Psyche, Leptosia nina Fabricius, 1793

Genus Hebomoia—great orange tip[]

Great orange-tip, Hebomoia glaucippe Linnaeus, 1758

Genus Colotis—Arabs[]

Small salmon Arab, Colotis amata Fabricius, 1775
Large salmon Arab, Colotis fausta (Olivier, 1804)
Small orange-tip, Colotis etrida Boisduval, 1836
Plain orange-tip, Colotis aurora (Cramer, 1780)
Crimson-tip, Colotis danae (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Pareronia—wanderers[]

Dark wanderer, Pareronia ceylanica (C. & R. Felder, 1865)
Common wanderer, Pareronia valeria (Cramer, 1776)

Subfamily Coliadinae—yellows[]

Genus Catopsilia—emigrants[]

Common emigrant, Catopsilia pomona Fabricius, 1775
Mottled emigrant, Catopsilia pyranthe Latreille, 1758

Genus Eurema—grass yellows[]

Small grass yellow, Eurema brigitta Cramer, 1780
Spotless grass yellow, Eurema laeta Boisduval, 1836
One-spot grass yellow, Eurema andersonii Moore
Common grass yellow, Eurema hecabe Linnaeus, 1758
Three-spot grass yellow, Eurema blanda Boisduval, 1836
Nilgiri grass yellow, Eurema nilgiriensis

Genus Colias—clouded yellows[]

Nilgiri clouded yellow, Colias nilgiriensis

Family Nymphalidae[]

Subfamily Libytheinae[]

Genus Libythea—beaks[]

Common beak, Libythea lepita (Moore, 1857)
Club beak, Libythea myrrha, (Godart, 1819)

Subfamily Danainae[]

Genus Parantica—glassy tigers[]

Glassy tiger, Parantica aglea (Stoll, 1782)
Nilgiri tiger, Parantica nilgiriensis (Moore, 1877)

Genus Tirumala—blue tigers[]

Dark blue tiger, Tirumala septentrionis (Butler, 1874)
Blue tiger, Tirumala limniace Cramer, 1775

Genus Danaus—tigers[]

Plain tiger, Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus, 1758
Common or striped tiger, Danaus genutia Cramer, 1779

Genus Euploea—crows[]

Common Indian crow, Euploea core (Cramer, 1780)
Double-branded crow, Euploea sylvester (Fabricius, 1793)
Blue king crow, Euploea klugii Moore, 1858

Genus Idea—tree nymphs[]

Malabar tree nymph, Idea malabarica Moore, 1877

Subfamily Charaxinae[]

Genus Charaxes—rajahs[]

Tawny rajah, Charaxes bernardus (Fabricius, 1793)
Black rajah, Charaxes solon (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Polyura—nawabs[]

Blue nawab, Polyura schreiberi (Godart, 1819)
Common nawab, Polyura athamas (Drury, 1773)
Anomalous common nawab, Polyura agraria

Subfamily Morphinae[]

Genus Discophora—duffers[]

Southern duffer, Discophora lepida (Moore, 1857)

Subfamily Satyrinae[]

Genus Mycalesis—bushbrowns[]

Whitebar bushbrown, Mycalesis anaxias Hewitson, 1862
Small longbrand bushbrown, Mycalesis igilia Fruhstorfer, 1909
Long-brand bushbrown, Mycalesis visala Moore, 1858
Palebrand bushbrown, Mycalesis khasia Evans, 1920
Redeye bushbrown, Mycalesis adolphei (Guérin-Ménéville, 1843)
Palni bushbrown, Mycalesis mamerata davisoni
Red-disc bushbrown, Mycalesis oculus Marshall, 1880
Gladeye bushbrown, Mycalesis patnia Moore, 1857
Tamil bushbrown, Mycalesis subdita Moore
Common bushbrown, Mycalesis perseus (Fabricius, 1775)
Dark branded bushbrown, Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Lethe—treebrowns[]

Common treebrown, Lethe rohria (Fabricius, 1787)
Tamil treebrown, Lethe drypetis (Hewitson, ?1868)
Bamboo treebrown, Lethe europa (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Ypthima—rings[]

Common threering, Ypthima asterope
Jewel fourring, Ypthima avanta Moore, 1875
Common fivering, Ypthima baldus (Fabricius, 1775)
White fourring, Ypthima ceylonica Hewitson, 1865
Nilgiri fourring, Ypthima chenui (Guérin-Méneville, 1843)
Common fourring, Ypthima huebneri Kirby, 1871
Baby fivering, Ypthima philomela (Linnaeus, 1763)
Palni fourring, Ypthima ypthimoides Moore, 1881

Genus Zipaetis—catseyes[]

Tamil catseye, Zipaetis saitis Hewitson, 1863

Genus Orsotriaena—nigger[]

Nigger, Orsotriaena medus (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Melanitis—evening browns[]

Common evening brown, Melanitis leda (Linnaeus, 1758)
Dark evening brown, Melanitis phedima (Cramer, 1780)
Great evening brown, Melanitis zitenius (Herbst, 1796)

Genus Elymnias—palmflies[]

Common palmfly, Elymnias hypermnestra (Linnaeus, 1763)

Subfamily Heliconiinae[]

Genus Vindula—cruiser[]

Cruiser, Vindula erota Fabricius, 1793

Genus Cirrochroa—yeomen[]

Tamil yeoman, Cirrochroa thais (Fabricius, 1787)

Genus Cupha—rustic[]

Rustic, Cupha erymanthis (Drury, 1773)

Genus Phalanta—leopards[]

Small leopard, Phalanta alcippe Stoll, 1782
Leopard, Phalanta phalantha Drury, 1773

Genus Argynnis—fritillaries[]

Indian fritillary, Argynnis hyperbius Linnaeus, 1763

Genus Cethosia—lacewings[]

Tamil lacewing, Cethosia nietneri Felder & Felder, 1867

Subfamily Acraeinae[]

Genus Acraea—tawny coster[]

Tawny coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus, 1758)

Subfamily Limenitidinae[]

Genus Limenitis—admirals[]

Commander, Limenitis procris (Cramer, 1777)

Genus Athyma—sergeants[]

Common sergeant, Athyma perius (Linnaeus, 1758)
Blackvein sergeant, Athyma ranga Moore, 1857
Staff sergeant, Athyma selenophora (Kollar, 1844)
Colour sergeant, Athyma nefte (Cramer, 1780)

Genus Pantoporia—lascars[]

Common lascar, Pantoporia hordonia (Stoll, 1790)
Extra lascar, Pantoporia sandaka (Butler, 1892)

Genus Neptis—sailers[]

Common sailer, Neptis hylas Linnaeus, 1758
Shortbanded sailer, Neptis columella
Chestnut-streaked sailer, Neptis jumbah Moore, 1857
Yellowback sailer, Neptis viraja
Sullied sailer, Neptis soma
Clear sailer, Neptis nata
Southern sullied sailer, Neptis clinia

Genus Parthenos—clipper[]

Clipper, Parthenos sylvia (Cramer, 1775)

Genus Euthalia—barons[]

Common baron, Euthalia aconthea (Cramer, 1777)
Gaudy baron, Euthalia lubentina (Cramer, 1777)
Baronet, Euthalia nais (Forster, 1771)
Blue baron, Euthalia telchinia (Ménétriés, 1857)

Genus Tanaecia—counts[]

Grey count, Tanaecia lepidea (Butler, 1868)

Genus Dophla—dukes[]

Redspot duke, Dophla evelina (Stoll, 1790)

Subfamily Cyrestinae[]

Genus Cyrestis—map butterflies[]

Common map, Cyrestis thyodamas Boisduval, 1836

Subfamily Biblidinae[]

Genus Ariadne—castors[]

Angled castor, Ariadne ariadne Linnaeus, 1763
Common castor, Ariadne merione

Genus Byblia—joker[]

Joker, Byblia ilithyia (Drury, 1773)

Subfamily Apaturinae[]

Genus Rohana[]

Black prince, Rohana parisatis (Westwood, 1850)

Genus Euripus—courtesans[]

Painted courtesan, Euripus consimilis (Westwood, 1850)

Subfamily Nymphalinae[]

Genus Vanessa—admirals, painted lady[]

Indian red admiral, Vanessa indica (Herbst, 1794)
Painted lady, Vanessa cardui

Genus Kaniska[]

Blue admiral, Kaniska canace (Linnaeus, 1763)

Genus Junonia—pansies[]

Gray pansy, Junonia atlites (Linnaeus, 1763)
Peacock pansy, Junonia (Precis) almana (Linnaeus, 1758)
Yellow pansy, Junonia (Precis) hierta (Fabricius, 1798)
Chocolate pansy, Junonia (Precis) iphita (Cramer, 1779)
Lemon pansy, Junonia (Precis) lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758)
Blue pansy, Junonia orithya (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus Hypolimnas—eggflies[]

Great eggfly, Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus, 1758)
Danaid eggfly, Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)

Genus Kallima—oakleafs[]

South Indian blue oakleaf, Kallima horsfieldii Kollar, 1844

Genus Doleschallia—autumn leaf[]

Autumn leaf, Doleschallia bisaltide malabarica (Cramer, 1777)

Family Riodinidae[]

Subfamily Nemeobiinae[]

Genus Abisara—Judies[]

Plum Judy, Abisara echerius (Moore, 1901)

Family Lycaenidae[]

Subfamily Curetinae[]

Genus Curetis—sunbeams[]

Indian sunbeam, Curetis thetis (Drury, 1773) (L40.1)
Shiva's sunbeam, Curetis siva Evans, 1954
Toothed sunbeam, Curetis dentata Moore, 1879

Subfamily Miletinae[]

Genus Spalgis—apefly[]

Apefly, Spalgis epius (Westwood, 1851) (L6.1)

Subfamily Polyommatinae[]

Genus Talicada—red Pierrot[]

Red Pierrot, Talicada nyseus Guérin, 1843. (L8.1)

Genus Castalius—common Pierrot[]

Common Pierrot, Castalius rosimon Fabricius, 1775. (L9.1)
Dark Pierrot, Castalius ananda de Nicéville, 1884 previously Tarucus ananda de Nicéville (L10.1)

Genus Caleta—angled Pierrot[]

Angled Pierrot, Caleta caleta Hewitson, 1876 earlier Castalius caleta Moore (L9.2)

Genus Discolampa—banded blue Pierrot[]

Banded blue Pierrot, Discolampa ethion Westwood, 1851 earlier Castalius ethion Doubleday & Hewitson (L9.3)

Genus Tarucus—blue Pierrots[]

Spotted Pierrot, Tarucus callinara Butler, 1886 (L10.4)
Striped Pierrot, Tarucus nara Kollar, 1848 (L10.9)
Indian Pierrot, Tarucus indica Evans, 1932

Genus Syntarucus—zebra blue[]

Zebra blue, Syntarucus plinius (Fabricius, 1793) (L11.1) (synonyms Leptotus plinius, Tarucus plinius)

Genus Azanus—babul blues[]

Bright babul blue, Azanus ubaldus Cramer, 1782 (L12.1)
Dull babul blue, Azanus uranus Butler, 1886 (L12.2)
African babul blue, Azanus jesous Guérin-Meneville, 1847 (L12.4)

Genus Neopithecops—Quaker[]

Quaker, Neopithecops zalmora Butler 1870 (L15.1)

Genus Megisba—Malayan[]

Malayan, Megisba malaya (Horsfield, 1828) (H20.1, p. 220)

Genus Celastrina—hedge blues[]

Plain hedge blue, Celastrina lavendularis (Moore, 1877) previously Lycaenopsis lavendularis Moore (L19.15)

Genus Acytolepis—hedge blues[]

Common hedge blue, Acytolepis puspa (Horsfield, 1828) previously Lycaenopsis puspa (Toxopeus) (L19.1)
Hampson's hedge blue, Acytolepis lilacea (Hampson, 1889) Lycaenopsis lilacea Hampson (L19.2)

Genus Akasinula—white hedge blue[]

White hedge blue, Akasinula akasa (Horsfield, 1828) previously Lycaenopsis akasa Frühstorfer (L19.10)

Genus Cyaniris—hedge blues[]

Whitedisc hedge blue, Cyaniris albidisca Moore, 1883 previously Lycaenopsis albidisca Moore (L19.6)

Genus Polyommatus—meadow blues[]

Singhalese hedge blue, Polyommatus singalensis Moore, 1877 previously Lycaenopsis singalensis Felder (L19.13)

Genus Chilades—lime blue[]

Lime blue, Chilades lajus (Stoll, [1780]) (L21.1)
Indian Cupid, Chilades parrhasius (Fabricius, 1793) previously Everes parrhasius Fabricius (L16.4)

Genus Luthrodes—Cupids[]

Small Cupid, Luthrodes contracta (Butler, 1880) previously Euchrysops contracta Butler (L23.2)?
Plains Cupid, Luthrodes pandava (Horsfield, 1829) previously Euchrysops pandava Horsfield (L23.3)

Genus Zizeeria—grass blues[]

Dark grass blue, Zizeeria lysimon (Hübner, 1798–1803) (L22.3)
Lesser grass blue, Zizeeria otis (Fabricius, 1787) (L22.5)

Genus Pseudozizeeria—pale grass blue[]

Pale grass blue, Pseudozizeeria maha (Kollar, 1848) previously Zizeeria maha Kollar (L22.2)

Genus Zizula—tiny grass blue[]

Tiny grass blue, Zizula gaika (Trimen, 1862) synonym Zizula hylax (Fabricius 1775) (now suppressed) (L22.4)

Genus Freyeria—grass jewel[]

Grass jewel, Freyeria trochylus (Freyer, 1845) previously Zizeeria trochilus Freyer (L22.1)

Genus Euchrysops—gram blues[]

Gram blue, Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius, 1798) (L23.1)

Genus Anthene—ciliate blues[]

Ciliate blue, Anthene emolus (Godart, 1823) previously Lycaenesthes emolus Godart (L24.1)
Pointed ciliate blue, Anthene lycaenina (C. Felder, 1868) previously Lycaenesthes lycaenina Felder (L24.2)

Genus Catochrysops—forget-me-nots[]

Forget-me-not, Catochrysops strabo (Fabricius, 1793) (L25.1)
Silver forget-me-not, Catochrysops panormus (C. Felder, 1860)

Genus Lampides—ceruleans and the peablue[]

Peablue, Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) (L26.1)

Genus Jamides—ceruleans[]

Dark cerulean, Jamides bochus Stoll, 1782 (L27.1)
Common cerulean, Jamides celeno (Cramer, 1775) (L27.3)
Metallic cerulean, Jamides alecto (Felder, 1860) (L27.7)

Genus Nacaduba—lineblues[]

Large four-line blue, Nacaduba pactolus (Felder, 1860) (L30.2)
Pale four-line blue, Nacaduba hermus (Felder, 1860) (L30.3)
Pointed lineblue, Nacaduba helicon Felder,? (L30.7)
Transparent six-line blue, Nacaduba kurava (Moore, 1857) (L30.8)
Opaque six-line blue, Nacaduba beroe (Felder & Felder, 1865) (L30.9)
Rounded six-line blue, Nacaduba berenice (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (L30.10)
Dark Ceylon six-line blue, Nacaduba calauria (C. Felder, 1860)

Genus Prosotas—lineblues[]

Common lineblue, Prosotas nora (Felder, 1860) previously Nacaduba nora Felder (L30.13)
Tailless lineblue, Prosotas dubiosa (Semper, 1879) previously Nacaduba dubiosa Evans (L30.14)
White-tipped lineblue, Prosotas noreia (Felder, 1868) previously Nacaduba noreia Felder (L30.15)

Genus Petrelea—dingy lineblue[]

Dingy lineblue, Petrelea dana (de Nicéville, 1884) previously Nacaduba dana de Nicéville (L30.16)

Subfamily Theclinae[]

Genus Iraota—silverstreak blues[]

Silverstreak blue, Iraota timoleon Stoll, 1790 (L41.1)

Genus Horsfieldia—leaf blue[]

Leaf blue, Horsfieldia anita Moore

Genus Thaduka—many-tailed oak-blue[]

Many-tailed oak-blue, Thaduka multicaudata Moore, 1878 (L43.1)

Genus Arhopala—oakblues[]

Large oakblue, Arhopala amantes (Hewitson, 1862) previously Amblypodia amantes Hewitson (L45.18)
Aberrant bushblue, Arhopala abseus (Hewitson, 1862) previously Amblypodia abseus (L45.39)
Dark broken-band oakblue, Arhopala atrax (Hewitson, 1862)

Genus Nilasera—oakblues[]

Centaur oakblue, Nilasera centaurus (Fabricius, 1775) previously Amblypodia centaurus Moore (L45.16)

Genus Panchala—oakblues[]

Rosy oakblue, Panchala alea (Hewitson, 1862) previously Amblypodia alea Hewitson (L45.11)

Genus Narathura—Tamil oakblue[]

Tamil oakblue, Narathura bazaloides (Hewitson, 1878) previously Amblypodia bazaloides Hewitson (L45.23)

Genus Surendra—acacia blue[]

Common acacia blue, Surendra quercetorum (Moore, 1857) (L46.1)

Genus Zinaspa—silver streaked acacia blue[]

Silver streaked acacia blue, Zinaspa todara (Moore, 1883) previously Surendra todara Moore (L46.2)

Genus Loxura—yamfly[]

Yamfly, Loxura atymnus (Cramer, 1782) (L48.1)

Genus Zesius—redspot[]

Redspot, Zesius chrysomallus Hübner, 1819/21 (L53.1)

Genus Pratapa—tufted royals[]

White royal, Pratapa deva (Moore, 1857) (L54.5)

Genus Ancema—royals[]

Silver royal, Ancema blanka (de Nicéville, 1895) previously Pratapa blanka Evans (L54.4)

Genus Creon—broadtail royal[]

Broadtail royal, Creon cleobis (Godart, 1823) previously Pratapa cleobis Godart (L54.8)

Genus Tajuria—royals[]

Plains blue royal, Tajuria jehana Moore, 1883 (L55.12)
Peacock royal, Tajuria cippus (Fabricius, 1798) (L55.13)
Spotted royal, Tajuria maculata Hewitson, ? (L55.17)

Genus Ops—branded royal[]

Branded royal, Ops melastigma (de Nicéville, 1887) previously Tajuria melastigma de Nicéville (L55.4)

Genus Charana—mandarin blues[]

Banded royal, Charana jalindra Moore (L56.1)

Genus Cheritra—common imperial[]

Common imperial, Cheritra freja (Fabricius, 1793) (L60.1)

Genus Rathinda—monkeypuzzle[]

Monkeypuzzle, Rathinda amor (Fabricius, 1775) (L63.1)

Genus Horaga—onyxs[]

Common onyx, Horaga onyx (Moore, 1857) (L64.1)
Brown onyx, Horaga viola Moore, 1882 (L64.4)

Genus Catapaecilma—common tinsel[]

Common tinsel, Catapaecilma elegans Druce, 1873 (L64.1)

Genus Chliaria—tits[]

Orchid tit, Chliaria othona (Hewitson, 1865) (L66.1)
Nilgiri tit, Chliaria nilgirica (Moore, 1883) previously Hypolycaena nilgirica Moore (L67.1)

Genus Zeltus—fluffy tit[]

Fluffy tit, Zeltus etolus (Fabricius, 1787) (L68.1)

Genus Deudorix—cornelians[]

Cornelian, Deudorix epijarbas (Moore, 1857) (L70.1)

Genus Virachola—guava blues[]

Common guava blue, Virachola isocrates (Fabricius, 1793) (L71.1)
Large guava blue, Virachola perse (Hewitson, 1863) (L71.2)

Genus Rapala—flashes[]

Indigo flash, Rapala varuna (Hewitson, 1863) (L72.7)
Slate flash, Rapala schistacea (Moore, 1879) (L72.8)
Common red flash, Rapala iarbus (Fabricius, 1787) previously Rapala jarbas Fabricius (L72.13)

Genus Vadebra—Malabar flash[]

Malabar flash, Vadebra lankana (Moore, 1879) previously Rapala lankana Moore (L72.3)

Genus Bindahara—plane[]

Plane, Bindahara phocides (Fabricius, 1793) (L74.1)

Subfamily Aphnaeinae[]

Genus Cigaritis—silverlines[]

Common silverline, Cigaritis vulcanus (Fabricius, 1775) (L52.1)
Long-banded silverline, Cigaritis lohita (Horsfield, [1829]) (L52.11)
Plumbeous silverline, Cigaritis schistacea (Moore, [1881]) (L52.2)
Abnormal silverline, Cigaritis abnormis (Moore, [1884]) (L52.4)
Common shot silverline, Cigaritis ictis (Hewitson, [1865]) (L52.5)
Scarce shot silverline, Cigaritis elima (Moore, 1877) (L52.6)

Family Hesperiidae[]

Subfamily Coeliadinae[]

Genus Badamia—brown awl[]

Brown awl, Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Bibasis—orange tailed awl[]

Pale green awlet, Bibasis gomata (Moore, 1865)
Orange-striped awl/orange awlet, Bibasis jaina (Moore, 1865)
Orangetail awl/pale green awlet, Bibasis sena (Moore, 1865)

Genus Choaspes—awlkings[]

Indian awlking, Choaspes benjaminii (Guérin-Meneville, 1843)

Genus Hasora—awls[]

Common awl, Hasora badra (Moore, 1857)
Common banded awl, Hasora chromus (Cramer, 1780)
White banded awl, Hasora taminatus (Hübner, 1818)

Subfamily Hesperiinae[]

Genus Aeromachus—scrub hoppers[]

Dingy scrub-hopper, Aeromachus dubius (Elwes & Edwards, 1897)
Pygmy grass/scrub-hopper, Aeromachus pygmaeus (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Ampittia—bush hoppers[]

Bush hopper, Ampittia dioscorides (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Arnetta—bobs[]

Coorg forest hopper, Arnetta mercara (Evans, 1932)
Vindhyan bob, Arnetta vindhiana (Moore, 1883)

Genus Baoris—swifts[]

Paintbrush swift, Baoris farri (Moore, 1878)

Genus Baracus—hedge hoppers[]

Hedge/Hampson's hedge-hopper, Baracus vittatus (Felder, 1862)

Genus Pseudoborbo—Bevan's swift[]

Beavan's swift, Pseudoborbo bevani (Moore, 1878) ?

Genus Borbo—swifts[]

Rice swift, Borbo cinnara (Wallace, 1866)

Genus Caltoris—swifts[]

Kanara swift, Caltoris canaraica (Moore, 1883)
Blank swift, Caltoris kumara (Moore, 1878)
Philippine swift, Caltoris philippina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)

Genus Cupitha—wax dart[]

Wax dart, Cupitha purreea (Moore, 1877)

Genus Gangara—giant redeye[]

Giant redeye, Gangara thyrsis (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Halpe—aces[]

Indian/Ceylon ace, Halpe homolea (Hewitson, 1868)
Moore's ace, Halpe porus (Mabille, 1876)
Chestnut bob, Iambrix salsala (Moore, 1865)

Genus Matapa—branded redeye[]

Common redeye, Matapa aria (Moore, 1865)

Genus Notocrypta—demons[]

Restricted demon, Notocrypta curvifascia (Felder & Felder, 1862)
Common banded demon, Notocrypta paralysos (Wood-Mason & de Nicéville, 1881)

Genus Parnara[]

Variable swift, Parnara bada (Moore, 1878)
Continental swift, Parnara ganga (Evans, 1937)

Genus Pelopidas—branded swifts[]

Dark branded swift, Pelopidas agna (Moore, 1865)
Conjoined swift, Pelopidas conjuncta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)
Dark small-branded swift, Pelopidas mathias (Fabricius, 1798)
Large branded swift, Pelopidas subochracea (Moore, 1878)

Genus Polytremis[]

Contiguous swift, Polytremis lubricans (Herrich–Schäffer, 1869)

Genus Potanthus—darts[]

Confucian/Chinese dart, Potanthus confucius (Felder & Felder, 1862)
Pallied dart, Potanthus pallida (Evans, 1932)
Palni dart, Potanthus palnia (Evans, 1914)
Pava dart, Potanthus pava (Fruhstorfer, 1911)
Pseudomaesa/common dart, Potanthus pseudomaesa (Moore, 1881)

Genus Psolos—coon[]

Coon, Psolos fuligo (Mabille, 1876)

Genus Quedara[]

Yellow–base/golden tree flitter, Quedara basiflava (de Nicéville, 1888)

Genus Sovia[]

Bicolour ace, Sovia hyrtacus (de Nicéville, 1897)

Genus Suastus—palm bob[]

Indian palm bob, Suastus gremius (fabricius, 1798)
Small palm bob, Suastus minuta (Moore, 1877)

Genus Taractrocera—grass darts[]

Tamil grass dart, Taractrocera ceramas (Hewitson, 1868)
Common grass dart, Taractrocera maevius (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Telicota—palm darts[]

Dark palm dart, Telicota ancilla (Herrich–Schäffer, 1869)
Pale palm dart, Telicota colon (Fabricius, 1775)

Genus Cephrenes[]

Plain palm dart, Cephrenes chrysozona (Plötz, 1883)

Genus Thoressa—aces[]

Southern spotted ace or unbranded ace, Thoressa astigmata (Swinhoe, 1890)
Evershed's ace, Thoressa evershedi (Evans, 1910)
Madras ace, Thoressa honorei (de Nicéville, 1887)
Tamil ace or Sitala ace, Thoressa sitala (de Nicéville, 1885)

Genus Udaspes—grass demon[]

Grass demon, Udaspes folus (Cramer, 1775)

Genus Hyarotis—flitters[]

Tree flitter, Hyarotis adrastus (Stoll, 1782)
Brush flitter, Hyarotis microstrictum (Wood–Mason & de Nicéville, 1887)

Genus Oriens—dartlets[]

Tamil dartlet, Oriens concinna (Elwes & Edwards, 1897)
Common dartlet, Oriens goloides (Moore, 1881)

Subfamily Pyrginae[]

Genus Caprona —angles[]

Golden angle, Caprona ransonnetti (Felder, 1868)
Spotted angle, Caprona agama (Moore, 1857 )
Spotted angle, Caprona alida (de Nicéville, 1891)

Genus Celaenorrhinus—flat[]

Malabar spotted flat, Celaenorrhinus ambareesa (Moore, 1865)
Common spotted flat, Celaenorrhinus leucocera (Kollar, 1848)
Tamil spotted flat, Celaenorrhinus ruficornis (Mabille, 1878)

Genus Cogia[]

Tricolour flat, Cogia indrani (Moore, 1865)

Genus Coladenia—pied flats[]

Fulvous pied flat, Coladenia dan (Fabricius, 1787)

Genus Gerosis—white flat[]

Common yellowbreasted flat, Gerosis bhagava (Moore, 1865) ?

Genus Gomalia[]

African mallow/marbled skipper, Gomalia elma (Trimen, 1862)

Genus Odontoptilum—angles[]

Chestnut/banded angle, Odontoptilum angulatum (Felder, 1862)

Genus Sarangesa—small flats[]

Common small flat, Sarangesa dasahara (Moore, 1865)
Spotted small flat, Sarangesa purendra (Moore, 1882)

Genus Spialia —grizzled skippers[]

Indian grizzled/Indian skipper, Spialia galba (Fabricius, 1793)

Genus Tagiades—snow flats[]

Immaculate/large/suffused snow flat, Tagiades gana (Moore, 1865)
Common/Ceylon snow flat, Tagiades jepetus (Stoll, 1782)
Water snow flat, Tagiades litigiosa (Möschler, 1878)

Genus Tapena—angles[]

Angled flat/black angle, Tapena thwaitesi (Moore, 1881)

Notes[]

References[]

Satheesh, N.; Mohanprasath, P. (2018). Butterflies of Tamilnadu (1st ed.). Tamilnadu, India: Hitech Printers & Publishers Private Limited.
Kunte, K. (In press.) Checklist of the Butterflies of the Western Ghats, Southwestern India. In K. A. Subramanian (ed.) Diversity and Conservation of Invertebrates in the Western Ghats.
Evans, W.H. (1932). The Identification of Indian Butterflies (2nd ed.). Mumbai, India: Bombay Natural History Society.
Wynter-Blyth, Mark Alexander (1957). Butterflies of the Indian Region. Bombay, India: Bombay Natural History Society. ISBN 978-8170192329.
Gaonkar, Harish (1996). Butterflies of the Western Ghats, India (including Sri Lanka) - A Biodiversity Assessment of a Threatened Mountain System. Bangalore, India: Centre for Ecological Sciences.
Larsen, T. B. 1987–88. The butterflies of the Nilgiri Mountains of southern India (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, vol 84 & 85.

External links[]

[1], கோவை வண்ணத்துப்பூச்சி பூங்கா!- இப்ப வருமோ. எப்ப வருமோ? The Hindu Tamil
[2], இனப்பெருக்க காலம் முடிந்ததால் மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலைக்கு இடம்பெயரும் வண்ணத்துப் பூச்சிகள் The Hindu Tamil
"Over 100 butterfly species sighted at Pachamalai", The Hindu
Kumar, K Sambath (20 September 2016). "Survey team spellbound on finding 105 species of butterflies in Pachamalai hills". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
"Pachamalai Hills ideal for butterfly breeding, 105 species spotted in survey", The New Indian Express
"Butterflies migrate to Pachamalai early this year", The Hindu
Oppili, P (30 September 2015). "TN a safe haven for winged delights". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
"With a flutter of their wings", The Hindu
" Experts spot 150 butterfly varieties in STR during census", The Times of India
"241 bird, 150 butterfly species recorded at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve", The Hindu