In recent news, the butterfly scholar community, also known as lepidopterists, have added two new species to India’s butterfly record. These species – the Striped Hairstreak and the Elusive Prince, were discovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district. With this addition, India now boasts of 1,327 butterfly species, a marked increase from the 1,318 species recorded back in 2015. A lepidopterist is an individual with a particular interest and academic involvement in the study of butterflies and moths.
The Striped Hairstreak
The Striped Hairstreak, known scientifically as the Yamamotozephyrus kwangtugenesis, was discovered in Vijaynagar village, located in the Changlang district along the Myanmar border. The lepidopterist community finds it particularly intriguing due to its diverse genus – subdivided into multiple smaller genera, making it challenging to trace.
The species first made its appearance in China’s Hainan province. Since then, it has been spotted as far away as North America, specifically in the region encompassing the Rocky Mountains.
The Elusive Prince
The species classified as Rohana tonkiniana and commonly referred to as the Elusive Prince, was discovered in the Miao subdivision. This site is located on the outskirts of Namdapha National Park. Within Indian boundaries, only a male specimen of the Elusive Prince has been found. Although initially thought to be a variant of the Black Prince, further research proved that the species is distinct and was previously unrecorded in India.
The Elusive Prince was firstly recorded in Tonkin, a region in northern Vietnam. In India, the Rohana genus to which it belongs is represented by two other species, the Black Prince (Rohana parisatis) and the Brown Prince (Rohana parvata).
Implications for Arunachal Pradesh
These recent discoveries underscore the richness of biodiversity in Arunachal Pradesh. To preserve and further explore this natural wealth, the state government is advised to provide support to volunteers and citizen scientists. Such initiatives can stimulate eco-tourism while fostering scientific research.
Butterflies: Indicators of Biodiversity
Belonging to the Lepidoptera order of the Arthropoda phylum, which also includes moths, butterflies are characterized by their large, brightly colored wings and conspicuous, fluttering flight. In an ecological context, butterflies are pivotal. They are not only indicators of rich biodiversity but also serve as gauge species that offer information on the health of the ecosystem and other species within it. Additionally, they contribute to pollination, consequently aiding in the conservation of numerous plant species.
Namdapha National Park: A Refuge for Diverse Fauna
Situated in the Changlang District, along the India-Myanmar border, Namdapha National Park is home to the newly discovered Elusive Prince. The park is globally renowned for housing all four Feline species of big cat, namely the Tiger (Panthera Tigris), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia), and Clouded Leopard (Neofelis Nebulosa). Additionally, it shelters the Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India.
Source: TH
