Swarms of butterflies flock open spaces in India's southern Coimbatore
turning the sky into a mélange of colours as the delicate winged creatures
embark on their annual migration from the higher reaches of India's southern
Karnataka to neighbouring Tamil Nadu state.

ANAIKATTI (NOVEMBER 24, 2008) ANI-
Swarms of butterflies flock open spaces in India's southern
Coimbatore turning the sky into a mélange of colours as the delicate winged
creatures embark on their annual migration from the higher reaches of India's
southern Karnataka to neighbouring Tamil Nadu state.

The Anaikatti hills located in the outskirts of Coimbatore abounds with
butterflies of vibrant colours fluttering about from one patch of green cover
to the next as part of the annual phenomenon.

"I work here and every year during the month of November, a large
number of butterflies come to this region. There are millions of beautiful
butterflies that cross this area. The yellow colour butterflies looks amazing
and beautiful to see. This migration happens once in a year," said
Lakshmi, a local.

Butterfly migration is driven by seasonal change and in India they take
flight in two different seasons, in early summer and autumn.

Upbeat over the increase in number of the migratory insects, research
scientist said they have so far identified more than 100 species.

"Most of the part is dry deciduous forest. Immediately after this
northeast rain, the whole life will start celebrating this area. The best
example of that celebration of life in this area is colourful butterflies in
this region and another very large number of butterflies come into life in
colourful ways and we have in our study here identified more than 100 species
of butterflies in this small region itself," said P. Pramod, research
scientist, butterflies and natural education, Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and Natural History.

Pramod added that the dense forest covers and green vegetation and the
mineral rich soil of the hills provide the butterflies with the perfect
conditions for reproduction, mud-pudding and for extraction of minerals and
nutrients from rocks, stones and soils.

Species like Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Common Crow, Double Brander,
Emigran, Madlet and Common Albatross migrate in large numbers during this
season.

The hills on the migratory path of the insect have been witnessing the
recurrent phenomenon for past few years.

Butterfly- lovers say that it is a treat in itself to experience the
colourful spectacle produced by the swarms of winged beauties in the sky.

"We all flock to se this phenomenon because money can't buy such
things, this you have to really visualize and come and see it on your own. You
see butterflies by the thousands fly and the different varieties when they all
fly together, its quite amazing to look at," said Francis Xavier, a
butterfly lover.

Researchers say that the migration pockets of the forest are significant
conservation points.

Butterflies are the second largest pollinators in the world after
honeybees. India has approximately 1430 species of butterflies in the
country.