Periyar is popular for its bio-diversity and rich in butterfly population. The impressive species diversity of 160 butterflies in Periyar underscores the crucial relationship between plants and animals. The Golden Birdwing Butterfly is common in the entire region of the Western Ghats.

Their upper hindwings are bright yellow, with cone-shaped black marginal markings and black veins. Two red spots sit just below the base of underside of the wings near the thorax.