Arunachal: Butterfly ‘Neptis philyra’ sighted for the first time in India

Guwahati: Atanu Bose, a butterfly lover, was sure that the butterfly Neptis philyra he saw was a new one to India. Bose later told his colleagues Mahesh Baruah (Bongaigaon), Abhishek Dutta Choudhury (Bongaigaon), and Anitava Roy (West Bengal), about the new butterfly which he stumbled upon.

This butterfly was first described by M. Ménétriés in 1859 from Russia. This species has been found in East Asia, including eastern Siberia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Tibet, Yunnan, and Vietnam.

A butterfly Neptis philyra has been sighted for the first time in the country in Tale Valley sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, gladdening butterfly enthusiasts. It was sighted last year at Pange. The butterfly is also known as Long-streak Sailo. The sighting has been published in the Tropical Lepidoptera Research Journal.

“I sighted it first and then later told my colleagues. I could not take a good picture as my camera doesn’t have a high resolution. So, I told my colleagues to take pictures. We still could not get a good picture,” Bose, recounting the journey, told EastMojo.

Bose said when they were returning, they saw the butterfly in a garden at Pange for an extended duration so that they could take good pictures of it.

“The initial observation occurred on June 2 2023, en route to the Pange forest camp, of a solitary individual perched atop the hill’s wall. The second sighting occurred on 3 June 2023, near the Pange forest camp, of two individuals, and on 5 June 2023 we observed a single individual mud-puddling for an extended duration near the Pange camp. Based on photographic evidence, the recent discovery of this species in India indicates a remarkable range extension, highlighting the ecological importance of the sanctuary,” the study published in the Tropical Lepidoptera Research Journal says.

The genus Neptis comprises a remarkably diverse group with approximately 160 recognized species. In India, 26 species of Neptis have been recorded. In Greek mythology, Philyra was a nymph who was the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys.

The butterfly has serrated wings with rich brownish-black on the upper side and yellow-brown on the underside. It has a forewing white cell streak forming “hockey stick” markings with spots in spaces 2 and 3.

Atanu Bose and his team have reported three new butterflies for the first time- Brilliant Flash (Rapala melida) from Meghalaya in 2017, Noble’s Helen (Papilio noblei) from Namdapha NP, Arunachal Pradesh in 2019 and Gynandromorph of Colour Sergeant (Athyma nefte inara) in 2021.

Tale Wildlife Sanctuary features a diverse range of primary vegetation, encompassing temperate conifers, and temperate and subtropical broadleaved forests. The rich floral tapestry includes a variety of oak and rhododendron species, complemented by bamboo and conifer varieties. Conifers find their niche in the valley area, while hilltops are adorned with thriving broadleaved forests in the Tale Valley.

“The record potentially indicates a new subspecies, which can be confirmed with the collection of further specimens, and also underscores the sanctuary’s potential as a vital habitat for diverse butterfly species. Neptis philyra, a new record for India, invites further investigations and encourages the scientific community to expand our understanding of butterfly distribution patterns and their potential implications for ecosystem dynamics,” the study said.

“We hope to inspire further research and conservation initiatives that protect and sustain India’s diverse butterfly fauna for generations to come. Furthermore, the newly discovered presence of N. philyra underscores the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts in Arunachal Pradesh to protect and preserve its unique flora and fauna,” the study said.

It said the Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a vital stronghold for various butterfly species, including this newly recorded Nymphalidae species.

The team members have thanked the Wikimedia Foundation for sponsoring the Tale Valley expedition via Wiki Loves Butterfly Project, with West Bengal Wikimedians.

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