Butterflies of India - Veined Labyrinth (Neope pulaha)

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Veined Labyrinth is a Satyrine butterfly found in Asia. In India, it is recorded from the Himalayas – both from Western Himalayas and Eastern Himalayas.  We have recorded this butterfly from the Western Himalays, from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. So probably it is the West Himalayan subspecies Neope pulaha pandyia. 

Banded Tit: A Butterfly new to science from Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh

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Banded Tit (Hypolycaena narada) specimens at the Research Collections Facility, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore [Image Courtesy: Krushnamegh Kunte/LRF/JRL]

In a very significant discovery for butterfly lovers, a researcher has described a Lycaenidae butterfly yet unknown to science from Namdapha National Park in eastern Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India. Now known as Banded Tit (Hypolycaena narada), this winged beauty is usually found along the stream sides in the mixed evergreen forests of Namdapha National Park.

Butterflies of India - Himalayan Red Admiral

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Himalayan Red Admiral (Vanessa indica indica) is a sub species of the Indian Red Admiral butterfly found mainly in the Himalayan region of India. In southern parts of India,  its close cousin Sahyadri Red Admiral (Vanessa indica pholoe) reigns the peaks of Western Ghats.

Butterflies of India – Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria)

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Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria) is a beautiful leathery winged butterfly with a weak but persistent flight, found in countries in the oriental region, like India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Myanmar and Sumatra. In India, it is seen in the Himalayan foot hills of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, West Bengal and Sikkim, usually in valleys which are situated at an altitude between 500 to 1500 meters from sea level.

Butterflies of India – Commander (Moduza procris)

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Commander is one of the most beautiful butterflies in India. You may spot this vividly coloured butterfly right from Southern Western Ghats to North Eastern regions. The brilliant reddish brown on its upper side will attract your attention easily.

Usually seen along forest roads, water courses, open places and even close to villages, especially if its larval host plant Mussaenda is available around. If you are planning to take a close look at a Commander, its usual posture of wings pressed flat helps you get a good look. However, if you go close, it will take short flights and keep the distance.

This is part of the Butterflies of India series in Indian Biodiversity Talk's YouTube Channel.