I shot this beauty in Thattekad. It descended from the canopy and settled on a shrub to bask in the sun just as I was on the point of turning around and leaving the sanctuary.
This is a strict forest dweller, rated the sixth most beautiful Indian butterfly (after the birdwings) by the lepidopterist, Winter-Blyth. Butterfly collectors covet fresh, undamaged specimens from South India, which fetch a high price (from Butterflies of Peninsular India by K. Kunte).
What price a forest butterfly’s freedom?
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