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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Butterflies storm north Tamil Nadu as intense rain hits Western Ghats
CHENNAI: In a vivid natural spectacle, millions of milkweed butterflies are sweeping Chennai, turning the city's skyline in many parts into a fluttering canvas of black and blue. This phenomenon, one of India's least understood yet most magnificent animal migrations, is tightly linked to the rhythm of the monsoons. To watch this, visit any beach in Chennai by noon to find thousands of butterflies moving in small groups. Triggered by the intense southwest monsoon rains lashing the Western Ghats, butterflies like the Blue Tiger and Common Crow are migrating northeast, away from their saturated breeding grounds to the eastern plains. These migrations are part of a rare bi-directional pattern and the butterflies return westward during the northeast monsoon. 'These movements are biologically significant, as the butterflies are escaping inundated habitats and likely heading to drier areas,' experts say. Naturalist Yuvan Aves said the butterflies are highly sensitive to environmental cues like wind speed, humidity and temperature, and this year's intense early rains and cooler temperatures may be amplifying the migratory wave. 'During years when intense monsoon is expected, usually the butterfly numbers are very high. This seems to be one such year. Recently Bengaluru experienced a similar mass migration in May, ahead of the monsoon's formal onset.' Interestingly, many butterflies leverage prevailing winds to glide over long distances. Increasingly, they are seen using roads, rail tracks and even flyovers as directional guides during their journey. These migrations, scientists believe, could serve as natural proxies to understand monsoon behaviour and help track climate shifts.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Michael Madsen tributes: Virginia Madsen says late brother had a 'ferocious heart'
Michael Madsen may have been rough around the edges on the big screen, but he was a pure diamond to those who knew him best. The beloved actor, best known for his tough guy characters in films such as "Reservoir Dogs" and the "Kill Bill" movies, died on July 3 of cardiac arrest, manager Ron Smith confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 67. Madsen's sister, fellow actor Virginia Madsen, paid tribute to her late brother in a heartfelt post on Instagram, which featured a black-and-white throwback photo of the sibling pair alongside their mother Elaine Madsen. "My brother Michael has left the stage," Virginia, 63, wrote. "He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother — etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark." In the 1990s, Virginia and Michael appeared together in the films "Blue Tiger" (1994), "The Florentine" (1999) and "Ballad of the Nightingale" (1999). "We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart," Virginia continued, "who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby." Virginia added that she will miss the "inside jokes" she shared with her elder sibling, as well as "the boy he was before the legend." "In time, we'll share how we plan to celebrate his life," she concluded. "But for now — we stay close, and let the silence say what words can't." Former costars Vivica A. Fox, Harvey Keitel remember 'poet' Michael Madsen Actress Vivica A. Fox, who costarred with Madsen in the films "Kill Bill Volume 1," "Kill Bill Volume 2" and "Garlic & Gunpowder," reflected on the "pleasure" of collaborating with Madsen in a statement to USA TODAY. "Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING onscreen presence!" Fox said. "My deepest condolences (and) prayers to his family." "Reservoir Dogs" star Harvey Keitel, who played Larry Dimmick opposite Madsen's Vic "Toothpick" Vega, reminisced on working with the actor on the 1992 Quentin Tarantino flick. "We've lost another great American poet," Keitel said in a statement to The New York Post. "I'll never forget one of the best scenes I've ever seen on film — of (Michael) and Chris Penn fighting in 'Reservoir Dogs.' A great love scene." James Woods, Robert Rodriguez pay tribute to 'larger than life' Michael Madsen Actor James Woods, who appeared alongside Madsen in the films "The Getaway" and "Straight Talk," mourned the actor's death in an emotional post on X. "Oh man, this is a hard one," Woods said. "I was always touched by his sweet nature and generosity, the absolute opposite of the 'tough guys' he portrayed so brilliantly. Rest in peace, dear friend." Director Robert Rodriguez fondly recalled his collaboration with Madsen on the 2005 film "Sin City," sharing that he allowed the actor to improvise dialogue on the comic book adaptation because of his writing prowess and comedic flair. "Michael was so larger than life," Rodriguez wrote in an X post. "We just felt he would make a much better partner to Bruce Willis' detective, I mean, what an ultimate cop team! And he was just an absolute joy to work with. I will miss you Michael, you truly are one of the greats." Billy Baldwin, more laud 'dynamite' Michael Madsen William "Billy" Baldwin, who worked with Madsen on films such as "The Broken Key," "2 Graves in the Desert" and "South of Hope Street," paid tribute to his former costar's charisma in an X post. "Fitting that Michael Madsen would pass away on 4th of July weekend," Baldwin reflected. "He was no firecracker… a total stick of dynamite on screen and in life." "Michael Madsen has departed," Titus Welliver wrote on X. "Mike leaves behind a body of work that will never be forgotten. Rest brother, too young." "Michael Madsen was a dream to work with," wrote Rob Schneider on X. Schneider worked with Madsen on an episode of his sitcom "Real Rob." "A truly gifted actor (and) gentleman who made every person on the set comfortable; generous with his stories (and) with his infectious laughter. I only wish we could have done more things together in this crazy business." Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Sunday Read: Nature's wingmen
Butterfly migration Bangalore Butterfly Club . native vegetation . Every year, during pre-monsoon months, butterflies pass through the city in large numbers. Intrestingly, years with intense butterfly activity often coincide with higher rainfall. This suggests butterflies may be responding to wind and rain patterns using nature's cues as their navigation –Haneesh M, Bangalore Butterfly Club When migration is mentioned, images of thundering herds across Africa's Masai Mara often come to mind. Yet, right here in Bengaluru, a quieter, more delicate spectacle unfolds every year — the seasonal migration of butterflies gliding across South India's Western and Eastern despite their fragile appearance, are powerful bio-indicators of a region's ecological health. Their presence reflects the diversity and condition of local flora. Bengaluru, situated along a crucial migratory corridor, witnesses thousands of butterflies each year during their seasonal journey, according to Haneesh KM, a founding member of the. The community actively documents butterfly sightings and contributes its data to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS).'Every year, during pre-monsoon months, butterflies pass through the city in large numbers. Interestingly, years with intense butterfly activity often coincide with higher rainfall,' Haneesh observed. 'This suggests butterflies may be responding to wind and rain patterns, using nature's cues as their navigation system.'India is home to an estimated 1,200 butterfly species, of which more than 170 have been recorded in Bengaluru alone. Karnataka's Western Ghats boast over 340 species. The city's common migratory species belong to the Danainae subfamily, including the Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Common Crow, and Double Banded Crow. While the average lifespan of a butterfly is one to two weeks, migration can extend this to three or even four recent uptick in butterfly sightings aligns with pre-monsoon showers, says Sammilan Shetty, founder of the Butterfly Park, Belvai.'Butterflies tend to move just ahead of the southwest monsoon. This could be an evolutionary strategy to escape the harsh conditions of the monsoon, particularly in the higher elevations of the Ghats.' He notes that certain species, like the Common Emigrant, follow a coastal route along the Arabian Sea and then head inland just before the rains arrive. 'It's a carefully timed survival tactic,' he butterfly migration is not a newly observed phenomenon, public awareness has grown significantly in recent years. But this awareness has also brought challenges. Shetty warns against replacingwith ornamental plants in artificial butterfly gardens. 'Such interventions can harm butterflies, whose breeding cycles depend on indigenous host plants. Preserving native flora is crucial,' he enthusiasts, like Sahana M, have been tracking butterfly behaviour for years. 'I've always been drawn to birds and fragile, yet vibrant,' she shares. This year, Sahana observed an early migration of Danaid butterflies. 'That often signals an early monsoon,' she points out, reinforcing the idea that butterfly patterns can act as a natural weather being cold-blooded, are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Kiran Kiggal, Associate Professor of Electronics and a keen wildlife photographer, notes that butterflies rely on sunshine and nectar. 'During heavy rains, nectar becomes scarce. So, they often shift eastward to avoid these conditions. Many begin migrating even before the monsoon sets in, sensing early showers caused by low-pressure systems,' he to Dr Abhijith APC from Team Saaliga, butterfly migration is not just about movement, but survival. 'They migrate to preserve their lineage. It's an instinctive intelligence,' he explains. Many butterflies are host-specific; the Common Lime butterfly relies on citrus plants, while the Common Crow prefers Ficus trees. The pre-monsoon season offers fresh vegetation, making it ideal for and nature lovers agree: Butterfly migration is more than a visual delight; it's a strategic and essential survival mechanism deeply tied to ecological too can play a role in this natural phenomenon. Planting native species, especially host and nectar plants, can provide critical support to migrating such green corridors not only aids their journey but also helps reduce roadkill. Citizen participation in recording butterfly movements can further contribute valuable data to scientists tracking their the heart of India's Silicon Valley, the flutter of delicate wings tells a timeless story of survival, adaptation, and harmony with nature, a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary migrations happen right in our backyard.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Migration Miracle
The sheer and utter incomprehensibility of life and its scope never ceases to confound us. Amongst the countless species in our tiny blue planet, the life cycle of a butterfly is a particularly curious case: how is one to explain that a caterpillar which has grown from a minute pupa, would grow further to the point of spurting out wings? Of late, the city has been witnessing their visual cacophony, outside balconies, or office windows, as they migrate. Hordes of various species were seen in areas like JP Nagar, Koramangala, and Indiranagar. Monsoon Migration As Shonali Chinniah, director and owner at Curiouscity Science Centre, explains, 'Butterflies, particularly Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger, Common Crow, and Double Branded Crow migrate seasonally in response to the monsoon cycle. Studies highlight that these butterflies travel from the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats, between May and June, to avoid the torrential South-West monsoon that hit their larval habitats in the Western Ghats. Their migration ensures survival by allowing them to breed alternately in the plains and in the hills. During October through November they migrate back from the Eastern to the Western Ghats.' Lepidopterist Rohit Girotra adds that 'the migration depends on the intensity and duration of the monsoon'.
