Arunachal Pradesh Welcomes New Butterfly Species: Euthalia malaccana Recorded for the First Time

Arunachal Pradesh’s Leparada district has added a remarkable new member to India’s butterfly family with the confirmed sighting of Euthalia malaccana. Previously considered a subspecies or restricted to Southeast Asia, this butterfly species’ definitive presence in India extends the known range of Euthalia malaccana in the Indo-Australian region. This discovery, verified through extensive fieldwork and photographic documentation, enriches the biodiversity record of the northeastern region and highlights the importance of citizen science in wildlife research.

Why in News?

The recent confirmation of Euthalia malaccana in Arunachal Pradesh has generated interest due to its taxonomic significance and the broadening of India’s butterfly diversity. For years, the butterfly’s presence in India was uncertain, making this discovery a crucial update for entomologists, conservationists, and biodiversity experts. It underscores the growing role of citizen scientists in documenting rare species and contributes to deeper understanding of the ecological richness of India’s northeastern frontier.

Background and Taxonomy

• Euthalia malaccana was once thought to be a subspecies of Euthalia adonia but has since been classified as a distinct species.
• This butterfly is primarily found in Southeast Asia, including northern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and the Sunda Islands.
• Its occurrence in India was questionable until this new discovery.

Discovery and Documentation

• The butterfly was recorded in Basar, the headquarters of Leparada district in Arunachal Pradesh, at about 685 meters above sea level.
• Citizen scientist and Arunachal Pradesh policeman Roshan Upadhaya, along with Taslima Sheikh, a Lucknow-based citizen science expert, conducted fieldwork involving remote locations with local guides.
• Five individuals of the species were documented between 2023 and 2024.
• The findings were published in SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia, an international journal focused on butterfly research.

Identification Features

• Males have a distinctive blue apical spot on the forewings; females have larger apical spots.
• Hindwings display reduced red spots, helping distinguish Euthalia malaccana from related species like Euthalia lubentina.
• Identification was confirmed through photographic evidence and comparison with existing scientific literature.

Significance

• The record extends the known geographical range of Euthalia malaccana to India.
• Enhances knowledge of Papilionoidea (butterfly superfamily) diversity in the northeastern region.
• Demonstrates the effectiveness of citizen science in biodiversity discovery.
• Provides valuable data for conservation planning in Arunachal Pradesh and adjacent regions.