COIMBATORE: Around 170 butterfly and 36 dragonfly species were sighted during the two-day ‘Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey of Tamil Nadu’ conducted in Coimbatore on February 3 and 4.

Jointly organised by the State Forest Department (Coimbatore Division) and Act for Butterflies, the survey was done in seven ranges in Coimbatore Forest Division, 15 camps by 35 dragonfly experts and 70 forest officials from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Black-winged Bamboo Tail (Disperoneura quadrimaculata), a damselfly was spotted for the first time in the forest. The butterflies Orange Owlet (Burara harisha), Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide), generally spotted in evergreen forests, were spotted in the forests here. Common Yellow Breasted Flat (Gerosis bhagava), a variety commonly found in North Eastern States, was also spotted.

Species that are endemic to the Western Ghats such as Southern Birdwing (Triodes minos) and Nilgiri Tiger (Parantica nilgiriensis) were also found.

The maximum number of butterfly species (98) was recorded in Karamadai range by surveyor Sohan and his team. Volunteer Mohammed Sheriff and his team spotted 21 species of dragonflies in Periyanaickenpalayam.

The winning teams were awarded Rs. 1000 cash prize and Certificates. Awards were also given to best photographers.