Butterfly migration from the Eastern Ghats and plains towards the Western Ghats, an annual phenomenon coinciding with the onset of the Northeast monsoon, was below par this year.
Large scale movement of butterflies towards the west not recorded till date since September, possibly due to below normal rainfall in west zone districts.
Before the onset of the Northeast monsoon, butterflies from the subfamily Danainae, such as Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Double-branded Crow, and Common Crow (commonly known as ‘Tigers and Crows’), leave these hills and fly towards the west.
But observers saw only a low scale migration of Tigers and Crows since September this year.
Tamil Nadu had a rainfall of 92% of its normal level (June-September 2023).
While the districts involved in the migratory movement in the west zone, especially Salem and Namakkal, had a deficit of 7% and 10%.