Teinopalpus imperialis, the Kaisar-i-Hind, is a rare swallowtail butterfly species, belonging to the Papilionidae family. It can be found in small areas of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Eastern Himalayas in India and in the northern regions of Myanmar, Vietnam as well as China's Sichuan province, typically at altitudes from 6,000 – 10,000 feet (1,800 - 3000 meters). The common name literally means "emperor of India" and it is the state bird of India’s Arunachal Pradesh State. The Kaisar-i-Hind is much sought after by butterfly collectors for its beauty and rarity, which has endangered its existence and hence is under protective status. The butterfly appears for a short time during the summer, from May to early July each year. It lives in large green forests with mixed oak trees.
The butterfly is known for their impressive speed and strength in flight. They often soar at the height of treetops and only come down when the morning sun is particularly intense. On cloudy days, the males perched on low-lying plants, taking advantage of their camouflaging abilities to blend in with their surroundings. The females also take to the skies during overcast or rainy weather. While you'll find males sipping moisture from damp spots and leaves, females are not too keen on visiting flowers or wet patches. Interestingly, these elusive creatures can be lured with bait. They love spending time in open areas surrounded by forests on hillsides and mountains, where the territorial males fiercely protect their domain from rival suitors and eagerly await unattached females in search of a partner.
Characteristics of the Male Kaisar-i-Hind Butterfly
The male Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly is quite a sight to behold, thanks to its distinct appearance. This large butterfly has wings that span about 3 to 3.3 inches, with an upper side adorned in black and vibrant green scales. The forewing shows off a unique pattern, featuring a slightly concave subbasal band without any green scales. As you move outward from the band, the green scales start to pop with an eye-catching brightness, gradually fading toward the discal and postdiscal bands, allowing the black base color to peek through. In some instances, the wings' transparency allows for a reddish hue to tint these colors.
When it comes to the hindwing, things get even more interesting. An irregular band borders the basal area, and this band is devoid of green scales. Further beyond lie dazzling yellow patches in the upper discal area that make this butterfly instantly recognizable. White lines stretch below these patches toward the dorsal area, giving way to deep dark green hues in the postdiscal area. Here, you'll find hints of dark grey along the inner margin and splashes of yellow and bright green on the outer edges.
Turning our attention to the underside of this breathtaking creature, we see that lavish green scales cover both forewings and hindwings extensively. Black bands define their borders throughout the discal and postdiscal areas. The larger yellow patches on the hindwing underside stand out even more boldly than they do on top.
A dark red antenna complements the black head, thorax, and abdomen of the male Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly – all of which are coated with fine green hairs and scales. To top off its striking look, this butterfly sports two delicate tail-like spikes that extend from its hindwings, primarily black but capped with a vivid yellow or golden tip. This color combination truly showcases the captivating beauty of the male Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly.
Characteristics of the Female Kaisar-i-Hind Butterfly
The female Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly is a bit larger than its male counterpart, boasting a wingspan of 3.5 to 4.3 inches. While males sport bright colors, females opt for a more understated look.
Examining the upper side of the forewings, you'll notice intriguing patterns. A wide band of green scales decorates the outer edge but doesn't cover the entire wing. Moving inward, there's a less defined band enveloped by a hazy black color. Following that are two wider, fuzzy dark grey bands, with the outer one featuring a thin black border. The edge of the wing has a green scales band and a black border, giving the butterfly its distinct and captivating appearance.
On the upper side of the hindwing in females, the bright yellow patch seen in males is replaced by a more expansive dark grey patch. Beneath it lies narrow yellow markings that extend to the dorsum. Although females also have a narrow black band in the postdiscal area like males, they showcase dark grey towards the tip instead of yellow.
Just like their male counterparts, female Kaisar-i-Hind butterflies also have tail-like spikes, although theirs are usually shorter and less prominent. In females, these spikes are predominantly grey and lack the yellow tip found in males, contributing to their subtle elegance.
The female Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly's underside bears resemblance to the male's but has some noticeable color differences. Typically rich ochre and yellow areas in males appear grey in females on both forewing and hindwing. The only exception is a muted ochre band near the outer edge. On the hindwing, this grey discal area stretches uninterrupted up to the wingtip's outer edge without any ochre or yellow coloring. Finally, the antennae, head, thorax, and abdomen are quite similar between male and female Kaisar-i-Hind butterflies.
Life Cycle of Kaisar-i-Hind Butterfly
Its life cycle consists of four main stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. Each stage is described below:
Eggs: The female Teinopalpus imperialis deposits her eggs on the bottom side of the host plant's leaves, namely Magnolia campbellii. These little eggs have a pale purplish-red hue and a round form.
Larvae: In about a week, the larvae emerge from their eggs. They sport a vibrant green hue and possess long, hair-like spikes. Their primary diet consists of their host plant's leaves.
Pupa: After approximately three weeks, the larvae transform into pupae. Each pupa has a distinct green color with an eye-catching dorsal horn, hanging from a silky strand.
Adult: Roughly two weeks later, the adult butterfly makes its entrance from the pupa. Its iridescent green shade with black patterns is quite striking. Moreover, the adult butterfly boasts a wingspan measuring around 9-12 cm. The butterfly's antennae boast a deep red hue, while its head, thorax, and abdomen are a stark black color. These areas are further enhanced by the presence of green hairs and scales.
The whole life cycle of Teinopalpus imperialis spans over six weeks. Adults remain active for nearly two weeks, fluttering through the forest and sipping nectar from blossoms. It's also during this period that they mate. Soon after, the females lay their eggs, and the beautiful cycle starts anew.
Discovering the Kaisar-i-Hind Butterfly in Nepal: Season and Locations
The elusive Kaisar-i-Hind butterfly can be found within certain pockets of Nepal, just as it does in other countries. To glimpse this rare beauty, venture to Phulchoki Mountain, Nagarkot, or Shivpuri-Nagarjun National Park in the Kathmandu Valley, as these areas are more easily accessible. For the best possible sightings, try visiting between May and July.
Conclusion
Teinopalpus imperialis, is a rare and beautiful creature that calls the Southeast Asian forests home. Sadly, these forests are disappearing at an alarming rate due to deforestation as land is cleared for agriculture and development. As a result, the butterfly's habitat is shrinking and its population dwindling.
However, there's hope! We can take steps to protect the enchanting Teinopalpus imperialis. Some efforts we can make include:
Planting trees in their natural habitat to help them thrive.Designing butterfly-friendly gardens that provide both food and shelter.Raising awareness about the significance of this unique butterfly.Supporting organizations dedicated to preserving the habitats of Teinopalpus imperialis and other endangered species.