GUWAHATI: Five researchers, including three from Bongaigaon in Assam, have documented the presence of Neptis philyra, commonly known as the long-streak sailor butterfly, in India for the first time. The discovery was made in the Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary located in Arunachal Pradesh, marking a notable addition to the country's fauna.
The study, conducted by Atanu Bose, Mahesh Baruah and Abhishek Dutta Choudhury from Assam and Anitava Roy and Tarun Karmakar from West Bengal and Karnataka respectively, was published online on April 5, 2024. The researchers reported their findings, based on photographic evidence, in the scientific journal Tropical Lepidoptera Research.
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Neptis philyra, originally described by M. Ménétriés in 1859 from the Amur region in Russia, is characterised by serrated wings with rich brownish-black coloration on the upper side and yellow-brown on the underside. The butterfly's distinct markings include a white cell streak forming a "hockey stick" pattern on the forewing.
The species, which is part of the Nymphalidae family, is known to prefer habitats such as evergreen forests, riverine vegetation, and rocky streams. The researchers observed several individuals of Neptis philyra near streams and forest trails in the Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary during June 2-5, 2023.
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The Tale Valley Wildlife Sanctuary boasts a diverse range of primary vegetation, including temperate conifers, broadleaved forests, and bamboo varieties, making it an ideal habitat for various butterfly species.
The study was made possible through the support of the Wikimedia Foundation's Wiki Loves Butterfly Project, Ananya Mondal, Kojmama Taman and Punyo Chada. Dr. Shinichi Nakahara and Gaurab Nandi Das provided valuable review and suggestions for the manuscript.
