3 great eggfly butterflies found resting for 3 months at Ghoteli

Keri: Ghoteli, a village at the foothill of the Western Ghats in Sattari, is known for its rich biodiversity. Recently, a wildlife researcher, Suraj Malik, in the small garden of Pournima Kerkar, observed that three butterflies of the great eggfly species have been found resting under the leaves of the Chinese exora. When Suraj brought this phenomenon to the notice of the well-known researcher, Krushnamegh Kunte, he said, They have partial diapause like this in winter and some summer months.”

Issac Kehimkar, a researcher associated with the Bombay Natural History Society, said, “Yes, this is indeed an interesting observation, never recorded before. And it appears that only the females are resting under the leaves. Milkweed butterflies, like crows and tigers, are known for this behaviour when they assemble and spend the winter or summer season together.”.

Suraj Malik, speaking to TOI, said, “This species of butterflies are in a state of resting even today, unhinderedly perched on the underside of leaves for 3 months.”.

It is a common eggfly species of butterfly that belongs to the family Nymphalidae. It is black with white, orange, and blue spots. Females lay eggs on the underside of leaves and have a special method to look after their young ones.