South India’s large terrestrial mammals hog the limelight, but its insects, amphibians, birds and reptiles are equally worthy of appreciative human attention.
The non-mammals offer an enormously higher number of individuals and species, with a mind-bogglingly diverse array of shapes and colours.
Butterflies abound.
The pictured individual is a member of this region’s (probably) most oft-sighted butterfly species.
Its unflattering common name notwithstanding, the common jezebel – Delias eucharis – is beautiful.
Beauty, however, is not the reason for its colourful/elegant appearance.
It has bright colouration to indicate the fact that it is unpalatable due to toxins accumulated by the larvae from the host plants.
The italicised explanation comes from the common jezebel’s Wikipedia entry.
Musical bonus
The Butterfly is one of the best-loved “traditional” Irish tunes.
My favourite recorded version of this slip jig comes from a 1978 concert in Paris by The Bothy Band.
It was issued in 1979 on The Bothy Band’s live LP After Hours.
(Matt Molloy plays flute and low whistle, Paddy Keenan uilleann pipes, Kevin Burke fiddle, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill guitar, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill harpsichord-like keyboard, and Donal Lunny bouzouki)
Thank you again, Doug. It is such a joy to share your amazing photos, journeys, knowledge and musical enhancements. Continuing to learn about the world, vicariously, through you is a privilege. Fondest love to you both.