• UGI USER
  • Aug 04, 2024
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AFTER 61 YEARS, FOUR-RINGED BUTTERFLY RESURFACES IN INDIA

Why in the News?

  • A four-ringed butterfly, belonging to a family with most members in China, has resurfaced in India after 61 years.
  • The butterfly was recorded in 2018 from the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The discovery was made by a team including a policeman and members of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
  • This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of India’s easternmost tiger reserve, which straddles the border with Myanmar.

Details of the Topic

  • Species: Ypthima cantliei, a species of Satyrinae butterfly.
  • Location: Recorded in 2018 from Namdapha National Park by Roshan Upadhaya and others.
  • Altitude: Found at elevations ranging from 298.7 meters above sea level to 4,498.8 meters.
  • Significance: Last reported in 1957 from Assam’s Margherita, rediscovered after thorough documentation.

Additional Information

  • Research Contributors: Policeman Roshan Upadhaya, Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi (BNHS), Renju Gogoi, and Rezina Ahmed.
  • Distribution: Found in Namdapha, India’s easternmost tiger reserve, which borders Myanmar.
  • Nymphalidae Family: Ypthima is a rich genus within this family, with approximately 35 species recorded in India and 23 from the northeast.
UPSC Prelims Related Facts and Figures

  • Scientific Classification:
    • Genus: Ypthima
    • Family: Nymphalidae
    • Species: Ypthima cantliei
  • Geographical Distribution:
    • Namdapha National Park: Located in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
    • Historical Sightings: Last reported in 1957 in Assam’s Margherita.
  • Ecological Significance:
    • Satyrinae Subfamily: Known for their ecological role in forest ecosystems.
    • Habitat: Found at varying altitudes, indicating a wide ecological range.