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Butterflies and
Moths
160 species of butterflies were identified from
Periyar Tiger Reserve. Of these, 19 are Western Ghat endemics. The
evergreen forests contain several endemic and rare species. The
butterfly diversity was found more in moist deciduous forests
including teak and also eucalyptus plantations.
Southern bird wing, Common rose, Malabar rose,
Common mormon, Blue bottle, Common albatross, Great eggfly, Evening
brown, Jezebel, Clipper,
 Common palmfly, Grey pancy, Common crow,
Nilgiri tiger, Common tiger, Striped tiger, Plain tiger, Red helen,
Paris peacock, Lime butterfly, Malabar tree nymph etc. are some of
the common butterflies distributed in different habitats.
The Travancore evening brown, one of the rarest
butterflies in the world, was rediscovered from Periyar Tiger
Reserve after a gap of several decades.
Periyar is an abode of a rich variety of moths.
Though not well documented, Lunar moth and Atlas moth are not
uncommon in the area.
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