Butterfly (Lepidoptera) Diversity in Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India

Abstract

The paper reports 343 butterfly species recorded from Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam on the basis of fieldwork conducted December 2012 to April 2016. Important sightings include Common Clubtail Losoria coon cacharensis, Pointed Palmfly Elymnias penanga, Sergeant Emperor Mimathyma chevana, Scarce Jester Symbrenthia silana, Redtail Marquis Bassarona recta, Branded Yeoman Algia fasciata, Silver Royal Ancema blanka, Dusky Royal Tajuria thyia, White Dawnfly Capilia pieridoides, Red vein Lancer Pyroneura callineura. Pointed Palmfly Elymnias penanga, Malayan Bushblue Arhopala ammonides elira, Scarce Jester Symbrenthia silana are legally protected under Schedule I, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India. The study revealed lots of Malayan species in the sanctuary and two additions to Indian fauna viz. Fawcett’s Pierrot Niphanda asialis marcia and Multi Spotted Oakblue Arhopala anthelus.