First record of five butterfly species from Jharkhand, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55779/ng61601Keywords:
butterfly, conservation, Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, diversity, habitat management, subtropical forestsAbstract
The subtropical forests of Jamshedpur Forest Division, Porahat Forest Division and Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand, India, are renowned for their rich biodiversity, including a diverse butterfly fauna. This study presents five butterfly species recently recorded in Jharkhand: Rapala pheretima (recorded on 17 April 2022), Tagiades gana (27 February 2022), Zesius chrysomallus (17 April 2022), Euripus consimilis (22 June 2021) and Hypolycaena othona (16 September 2020). These species, covering three families (Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae and Hesperiidae), include taxa protected under Schedules I and II of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, highlighting the importance of conservation of the region. The findings highlight the ecological value of these forests, underscoring the need for habitat conservation, restoration and long-term monitoring to protect native butterfly diversity.
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