Rare butterfly at risk of extinction in Vietnam
The Kaiser-i-Hind is a rare swallowtail butterfly found from Nepal and northern India to the high mountains of Vietnam. Because it lives in rugged, remote high mountains, the Kaiser-i-Hind is very rarely seen; even entomologists seldom get the chance to admire its striking beauty.
Ranging from the eastern Himalayas in Nepal and northern India to the high mountains of Vietnam, the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) is one of the most beautiful and rarest butterflies in the world.
Adults reach a wingspan of 9 - 12 cm. The body and wings are green, with yellowish-brown patches and black bands toward the wing tips. The pattern varies from one individual to another.
Ecologically, the Kaiser-i-Hind lays its eggs on the upper surface of the leaves of Magnolia campbellii (family Magnoliaceae). After hatching, the larvae move to young leaves to feed.
In Vietnam, the Kaiser-i-Hind has been recorded in Lào Cai province in northern Vietnam (Hoàng Liên National Park), Cao Bằng province on the border with China (Phia Oắc – Phia Đén National Park), the former Vĩnh Phúc province, now part of Phú Thọ (Tam Đảo National Park), and the former Kon Tum province, now part of Quảng Ngãi (Ngọc Linh Nature Reserve)...
As one of the highest-dwelling butterflies in Southeast Asia, it has been observed on Fansipan, the "Roof of Indochina", and on ridges above 3,000 m in Hoàng Liên National Park.
Other individuals have been found on Ngọc Linh and Chư Yang Sin peaks, among the highest summits of Vietnam's Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên).
Because it lives in rugged, remote high mountains, the Kaiser-i-Hind is very rarely seen; even entomologists seldom get the chance to admire its striking beauty.
On the international butterfly specimen market, the Kaiser-i-Hind is one of the most expensive butterflies in the world. Specimens commonly sell for 100 - 500 USD, sometimes reaching thousands of USD.
Information on the abundance of this butterfly's populations in Vietnam is still lacking. Their numbers are affected by deforestation and by the collection and trade of specimens.
On the IUCN Red List, the Kaiser-i-Hind is classified as Near Threatened. Experts recommend protecting its habitat in the high mountains and strictly banning its collection and trade. In Vietnam, the species is protected, and catching or trading it illegally can lead to criminal prosecution.
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