Common Butterflies of Koramangala, Karnataka

 I am not a Lepidopterist, but a photographer. I love photographing birds and butterflies for the reason that they are free beings like me-of-my-dreams. They inspire me. They move, they fly, hide; and if we want to capture them, we have to adjust ourselves to their rhythm, mood and behavioural patterns. It is an exercise in patience and waiting. It is a challenge worth taking. 

The more we know and get involved with the lives of our co-inhabitants on this planet, we would also begin to care. Its easy to care for the giants of our planet, and of course, also for those are profitable. We parade our social status with the cost and rarity of our dogs and cats, and other pets; owning them gives us a lot of gratification. Here is a species we cannot own. Butterflies are for everyone, for the poor and rich, the inferior and superior, the proletariats and bourgeoisie

Butterflies are faint and feeble. Many of them only have a life span of less than two weeks, though a few of them live for months. Now I know why these always are in super hurry. They  contribute to the pollination and sustainability of plants and trees; and they do it in uncomplaining generosity. They, at least partially, run the planet, along with bees and others. Butterflies are adorable. 

This season I went mad with butterflies. I began to watch them in Koramangala, Bangalore. I kept watching. It is a strange phenomenon, once I began seeing them hopping, dancing and flying around, I just could not see anything else. I spend hours together in the  scorching sun. Perhaps others around and those passing by could make nothing out of it. I could occasionally see the ladies and man, who worked in the kitchen and around, looking and giggling at me in sheer sarcasm. How do I explain it to those who have never fallen in love?

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Blue Pansy, Junonia Orithya
I spotted one buzzing by. Then I knew there were two. They eluded me for hours. Finally my waiting paid off. I photographed one. Then it seemed that they were all around me and in no hurry. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Grass Demon, Udaspes Folus
Small and camouflaged with dotted crotons, I see them taking off but not where they land. From close up they surprise you with their dotted contrast.  

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Plain Tiger, Danaus Chrysippus

True to their name, they demand attention. It remains majestic and special, even if you spot a swarm of hundreds.


common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Mottled Emigrant, Catopsilia Pyranthe
When flying it looks greater, for its upper wing is white. As if to show off its upper wings they fly around a lot before coming back to the same plant and same flower again and again. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Red Pierrot, Talicada Nyseus
This tiny one takes your breath away. As it opens its wings you see a completely different butterfly. For a while I refused to believe they are the same.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Tawny Coster, Acraea Terpsicore

I just spotted one, and I clicked till my shutter-button finger ached. It only acquitted with flowers of amazing colours; but none could beat its splendor.


common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Yellow Pansy,  Junonia Hierta

It would land unceremoniously, when it opens its wings celebrations begin. The two eyes on the wings keep shifting colours.


common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Angled Castor, Ariadne Ariadne
It flies around like a little fire ball, moving swiftly through leaves and bushes. And finally, bypassing all buds and flowers, it lands on some unexpected places and plants.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Blue Mormon, Papilio Polymnestor

This is a large butterfly, perhaps one of the largest found in the region. It is grand and majestic. It is the state butterfly of Maharashtra.


common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Brown King Crow, Euploea Klugii
Captivating coffee brown colour decorated with contrasting white spots makes it stand out. A well trimmed and neat butterfly. 
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Clouded Yellow, Colias Croceus
Adult female butterflies settle, often under a selected leaf, to lay eggs. They select a leaf which could become food for the caterpillar. Caterpillars don't eat all kinds of leaves, it depends on the breed. So the mother butterfly has to make an informed decision.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Common Emigrant, Catopsilia Pomona
These look a little dull while seated, but while flying they become eye-catchy. One would wait for it to fly to see it in full grandeur.
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Common Fourring, Ypthima Huebneri
Though small, it's eyeball like patterns stare at you, and gathers attention to itself. Those popup designs on rugged texture makes it special.  

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Common Hedge Blue, Acytolepis Puspa 
Though named Common Hedge Blue, they are not so common to find, at least around here, I spotted it only once, and was lucky enough to click a couple of pictures.
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Common Jezebel, Delias Eucharis
These bear the colours on the proposed flag (2018) of Karnataka state. Yellow, red, white and the emblem in black. Could this be the state butterfly of Karnataka? As of now only Maharastra has a state butterfly. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Common Leopard, Phlantha Phlantha
The colour and the design gives it the name. Otherwise its withdrawn and timid. Beautiful to spot on a bright green leaves. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Common Mormon, Papilio Polytes
It is a swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia. These butterflies curiously have three different females. Thus the name, Common Mormon, obviously reflecting the Mormon sect in America, which as we know, practiced polygamy.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Danaid Eggfly Female, Hypolimnas Misippus
They appear like a fire ball when sun hits on them. These do not discriminate; they move from shrubs to grass, from grass to trees, from trees to bushes and plants, and even to dry earth. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Dark Blue Tiger, Tirumala Septentrionis
These don't come to stay. They appear from nowhere. They are around for a while; and they are gone.  It is the case with many other butterflies too. As I spot them during the sunny part of the day, I often wonder as to where do they come from, and where do they go? 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Grass Yellow, Eurema Hecabe
Photographing a flying Grass Yellow is almost an impossible task, for they fly zigzagged and fast. I was adamant to get one while flying because all their special beauty is on their upper side of the wings. 
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Lemon Pansy, Junonia Lemonias 
These rarely leave the ground, their beauty gets muddled with the colour of barren earth. But when they emerge out and reveal itself, only they we witness its illustrious wings.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Lime Swallowtail, Apilio Demoleus
Quite common in gardens, a few in a garden makes the garden full. they are large and always flying and moving around; fluttering their wings constantly, even while on a flower. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Oriental Grass Dart, Taractrocera Maevius
These look small and like a moth, But look closer at its antennae. A butterfly's antennae are club-shaped with a long shaft and a bulb at the end.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Pea Blue, Lampides Boeticus 
This little one almost goes unnoticed. They are small to be noticed while flying, and gets lost at the tips of leaves and flowers while feeding and resting.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Pioneer White, Belenois Aurota
Yellow and white combination is a designer's secret. Here is the designer butterfly. Just awesome.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Red Helen, Papilio Helenus
Red Helen is most often found on the Ixora flower. It is a rather large swallowtail butterfly. It takes time and raids almost every single flower before retiring. 
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, India. high resolution, free
Tailed Jay, Graphium Agamemnon 
The green dots almost make them almost part of the host plant. among swallowtail butterflies, these stand distinct with its rich green. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
The Small Cupid, Chilades Parrhasius
Keeping to their size, they prefer small flowers, mostly weed flowers, to gather their daily sustenance. one really needs to look down to find them; and stoop down to picture them. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Blue Triangle, Graphium Sarpedon
It was a rare visitor to the garden. Nobody can miss it for its colour and energy. I ran behind it lest i miss it. Finally it sat on the marigold flower. And my finger pressed on the shutter-button.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Chocolate Pansy, Junonia Iphita
It is so very unassuming, but once we notice it on the leaf it has a strange attraction. Perhaps the chocolate colour does it.
 
common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Danaid Eggfly Male, Hypolimnas Misippus
These large spotted ones will make you jump with excitement when you spot it. From a direction the round spots have shining blue contour. The upper side wings and the under side of the wings are different and equally pretty.  

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Great Eggfly Female, Hypolimnas Bolina
For days I mistook it for Brown King Crow, later I realised these are different. These belong to another family. The design patterns and the the mannerisms are different.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Peacock Pansy, Junonia Almanac
The brighter eyes on the bright wings definitely has the splendour of an Indian peacock. Spends a lot of time on every flower.

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Tiny Grass BlueZizula Hylax
I found it restlessly flying over the grass and flower beds. Finally sat pretty on the marigold flower. Its tiny by nature, but in close up beautiful to behold. 

common butterflies of India with names, butterflies of koramangala, madivala, bangalore, bengaluru. high resolution, free
Common Baron, Euthalia Aconthea
As I watched out it glided down on to the the leaf of a rather tall teakwood tree. It settled down and was in no hurry. Its sepia brown balanced the colour of the dried teakwood flowers and nuts.

As I wind up this season, I had hundreds of lovely photographs of butterflies. I took equal amount of time to identify and find their names. I have photographed 35 types of butterflies. All from Bangalore.

  1. Angled Castor, Ariadne Ariadne
  2. Blue Mormon, Papilio Polymnestor
  3. Blue Pansy, Junonia Orithya
  4. Blue Triangle, Graphium Sarpedon
  5. Brown King Crow, Euploea Klugii
  6. Chocolate Pansy, Junonia Iphita
  7. Clouded Yellow, Colias Croceus
  8. Common Baron, Euthalia Aconthea
  9. Common Emigrant. Catopsilia Pomona
  10. Common Fourring, Ypthima Huebneri
  11. Common Hedge Blue, Acytolepis Puspa
  12. Common Jezebel, Delias Eucharis
  13. Common Leopard, Phlantha Phlantha
  14. Common Mormon, Papilio Polytes
  15. Danaid Eggfly Female, Hypolimnas Misippus
  16. Danaid Eggfly Male, Hypolimnas Misippus
  17. Dark Blue Tiger, Tirumala Septentrionis 
  18. Grass Demon, Udaspes Folus
  19. Grass Yellow, Eurema Hecabe
  20. Great Eggfly Female, Hypolimnas Bolina
  21. Lemon Pansy Junonia Lemonias 
  22. Lime Swallowtail, Apilio Demoleus 
  23. Mottled Emigrant, Catopsilia Pyranthe
  24. Oriental Grass DartTaractrocera Maevius
  25. Pea Blue, Lampides Boeticus
  26. Peacock Pansy, Junonia Almanac

  27. Pioneer White, Belenois Aurota
  28. Plain Tiger, Danaus Chrysippus
  29. Red Helen, Papilio Helenus
  30. Red Pierrot. Talicada Nyseus
  31. Tailed Jay, Graphium Agamemnon
  32. Tawny Coster, Acraea Terpsicore
  33. The Small Cupid, Chilades Parrhasius
  34. Tiny Grass BlueZizula Hylax
  35. Yellow Pansy, Junonia Hierta

The butterfly said to the sun, ‘they can't stop talking about my transformation. I can only do it once in my lifetime. If only they know they can do it at any time and in countless ways’ –Dodinsky.

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