India GO
Butterfly · Papilio buddha
Malabar banded peacock
IUCN LC · Least concern
The state butterfly of Kerala and a Western Ghats endemic: a black swallowtail with a broad band of luminous green scales and blue-and-orange eyespots near the tail.
How to recognise it
Fast, restless flight along forest streams, often coming down to wet sand and mud to drink. The green band only lights up at certain angles.
Protection
Listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
Where to see it
Kochi
Its caterpillars feed on a small number of Ghat forest trees in the citrus family, so the butterfly cannot exist outside intact wet forest, which is why it was chosen as Kerala's emblem.
Athirappilly Falls (in season) · Thattekad (Salim Ali) Bird Sanctuary (in season)