Southern Birdwing Butterfly Discovery

Summary: The Southern Birdwing, India's second-largest butterfly, was recently spotted at The American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, highlighting changes in butterfly species movements. With a wingspan of 190mm, it was once the largest butterfly in India until surpassed by the Golden Birdwing in 2020. This butterfly prefers habitats near water and feeds on nectar from flowers like Bougainvillea. While classified as a species of "least concern," it plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity through pollination. The sighting in September may relate to its migration and search for breeding grounds.