Butterflies of Assam
Butterflies are by far the most beautiful creatures on earth. They enchant the eyes and we love to call them living jewels or winged beauties. Other than being striking, butterflies also play a significant role in pollination of plants and are indicators of environmental health and the eco-system. It is a matter of pride therefore that Assam and North East India is home to approximately half of the 1500-odd species of butterflies that flit around and grace Incredible India.
The habitat of forest in eastern Assam made up of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, Assam valley wet evergreen forest, moist deciduous forests and open grassland with cane and bamboo brakes and strips of open grassland which is suitable habitat for butterflies. Butterflies are one of the most diverse organism prevailed in various climatic zone / habitat.
Butterflies, unlike several other creatures, cannot sting or bite to fight back predatory attack. Therefore, to escape from predators, butterflies have evolved various protective adaptations, right from the egg to the adult stage. Unlike warm-blooded animals butterflies do not have a constant body temperature. Their body temperature depends on the surrounding ambient temperature. A lower temperature slows down their physiological process. Butterflies need to regulate their temperature and therefore they may bask in the sunlight to increase their temperature to withdraw underneath a leaf to lower their temperature.
Assam North-east India region is ultimate Mecca for a butterfly enthusiast.
