Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 May 2020 | 12(8): 15817–15827
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
doi: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5606.12.8.15817-15827
#5606 | Received 08 December 2019 | Final
received 07 May 2020 | Finally accepted 11 May 2020
A second report on butterflies
(Lepidoptera) from Ladakh Union Territory and Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, India
Sanjay Sondhi
1, Balakrishnan Valappil 2 & Vidya Venkatesh 3
1 Titli Trust, 49 Rajpur
Road Enclave, Dhoran Khas, near IT Park, P.O. Gujrada, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India.
2 Nest, Kizhuparamba
P.O., Malappuram District, Kerala 673639, India.
3 5, Rajnigandha,
Goraswadi, Malad (W), Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400064, India.
1 Indian Foundation for
Butterflies, C-703, Alpine Pyramid, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka
560097, India.
1 sanjay.sondhi1@gmail.com
(corresponding author), 2 balavalappil@gmail.com, 3 vidya.nature@gmail.com
Abstract: Additional butterfly records and
natural history observations are reported from a two-week survey of butterflies
in Ladakh and Lahaul in the
inner Himalaya in Ladakh Union Territory, and
Himachal Pradesh in August 2018. These
records follow an earlier report from a two-week survey in June–July 2016, and
reports 10 species not sighted during the previous survey. Observations on early stages of Pieris deota, Aglais ladakensis, and Papilio
machaon ladakensis are
reported, as well as a mass emergence of Parnassius
epaphus.
Keywords: Himalayas, Lepidoptera, mass
emergence, palearctic.
Editor: Jatishwor Irungbam, Biology Centre
CAS, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice. Date of publication: 26 May
2020 (online & print)
Citation: Sondhi, S., B. Valappil & V.
Venkatesh (2020). A second report on butterflies (Lepidoptera) from Ladakh Union Territory and Lahaul,
Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal
of Threatened Taxa 12(8): 15817–15827. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5606.12.8.15817-15827
Copyright: © Sondhi et al. 2020. Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction,
and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to
the author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: Sanjay Sondhi’s visit was partially funded by Titli Trust. Balakrishnan Valappil and Vidya Venkatesh
visits were self funded.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author details: Sanjay Sondhi is a Dehradun-based naturalist and founder Trustee, Titli Trust. An engineering graduate from the Indian
Institute of Kanpur (1987), the study of natural history has been his passion
for more than three decades. His natural history interests include studying,
photographing and writing about nature with a special interest in birds,
butterflies, moths and amphibians and reptiles. He has authored numerous books
and technical papers on amphibians and reptiles, birds, butterflies and moths
and other Indian wildlife. Balakrishnan Valappil has been observing Indian Lepidoptera for
the last few years. He is interested in the biology of moths and butterflies
and is an executive member of Malabar Natural History Society. Vidya Venkatesh is an Inclusive
conservationist, working with Last Wilderness Foundation on human-wildlife
coexistence in central India. Her work involves engaging with forest department
and forest communities to conduct outreach programmes,
sustainable livelihoods and capacity building. She has been closely working
with the Baiga and the Pardhi
tribes.
Author contribution: All the three authors participated in the field survey
in Ladakh. Sanjay Sondhi
drafted the manuscript and prepared some of the plates and the tables.
Balakrishnan Valappil prepared some of the plates,
provided inputs to and edited the manuscript. Vidya Venkatesh provided inputs
to and edited the manuscript.
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Mohd
Juma from Destination Inde
from Leh helped organise their visit, and Zahur, who drove them around Ladakh
safely for two weeks, and ended up spotting some butterflies as well!
INTRODUCTION
Sondhi et
al. (2017) reported on butterflies sighted during a 12-day survey in Ladakh in June and July 2016, during which 42 species were
recorded. In August 2018, the authors
undertook another two week survey in Ladakh Union
Territory (LUT). Species not sighted in
2016 are reported here, and a checklist of all butterflies recorded is provided
with details of locations, altitudes and number of individuals sighted. Other interesting natural history
observations are mentioned.
Materials and methods
A survey was conducted 3–15 August 2018 with the aim
of covering as many habitats and altitudes as possible in Ladakh,
making it necessary to use a vehicle throughout the survey period. The route (Table 1) extended through most
parts of Leh District, covering its central,
northern, eastern, and southern parts, as well as the exit through the Lahaul region in Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh (HP).
The methodology consisted primarily of visual
encounter surveys in suitable habitats for butterflies, such as alpine meadows,
grasslands, crop fields, and edges of stream and lakes. As we did not have permission to collect
specimens, we relied primarily on photographs for identification. In addition to the date and location of
sightings, we also noted the times at which individuals were encountered. Altitudinal elevations were recorded using a
Garmin Etrex 10.
Existing literature was consulted for species
identification and distributions (Marshall & de Nicéville
1882–1890, Bingham 1905–07; Swinhoe 1912–13; Evans
1927, 1932; Talbot 1939, 1947; Wynter-Blyth 1957; Cantlie 1963; Mani 1986;
Smith 1994, 2006; Kinyon 2004; Tshikolovets
2005; Kehimkar 2008; Varshney & Smetacek, 2015; van Gasse
2017). Online sources were also
consulted as aids to taxonomy and identification (Kunte
et al. 2019; Savela 2019).
Results
The 12-day survey resulted in the record of 42 species
of butterflies from five families in 11 subfamilies (Table 2). Many of these species are rare and found in
Palearctic habitats in the inner Himalaya.
Seven species are protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. A checklist of
the species recorded along with their locations, altitudinal range, and
estimated number of individuals is listed in Table 3. The summary of photographic records of the
species not recorded in Sondhi et al. (2017) is
provided in Image 1–7.
Discussion
The following section provides detailed information
about the additional species recorded during the survey in August 2018
including dates/times at which they were recorded, locations, altitudes as well
as relevant natural history observations and taxonomic notes, wherever
necessary. The common names as well as
alternative common names (ACN) in use are also mentioned (Evans 1932; Kunte et al. 2019).
The legal protection accorded to these species, under the Indian
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, if any, is mentioned. Photographs of these butterfly species are
included in Image 1–7. In these images,
the upperside of species is only provided if this is
essential for species identity. In
addition, gender of the butterfly in image as male (♂) or female (♀), if known, is mentioned.
Notes on species recorded in Ladakh
and Lahaul in August 2018.
Family Pieridae, Subfamily Pierinae, Tribe Pierini
Pieris rapae rapae
(Linnaeus, 1758) (Small Cabbage White)
During the previous survey, we searched extensively
for P. rapae rapae (Linnaeus,
1758), but did not record any individuals.
During this visit we recorded this species (Image 1) in multiple
locations. On 03 August 2018, 15.30h, Choklamsar near Leh, altitude
3,211m, at least half a dozen individuals recorded. Most individuals were worn. Distinctly smaller in size than Indian
Cabbage White Pieris canidia indica;
very much whiter above, with a much narrower border on FW apex, along with a
small, sometimes indistinct spot on UPF disc.
On 04 Aug 2018, 14.44h, Chushut, Leh outskirts, altitude 3,500m, about half a dozen
individuals were recorded. On 06 Aug
2018, 12.00h, farm fields beyond Hundar, altitude
3,123m, a few individuals were recorded.
On 06 August 2018, 17.34h onwards, Turtuk, altitude
2,857m at least 15 individuals were spotted in the farm fields above Turtuk and photographed roosting in the evening after
18.00h. On 07 August 2018, 07.39h, Turtuk., 08.15–12.00 h fields above Turtuk,
altitude 2,918m, 120 individuals counted.
10 August 2018, 16.53h, Sakti Village, altitude 3,740m, one individual.
Pieris rapae rapae (Linnaeus,
1758) is a range-restricted pierid, which is known only from Kashmir and
Ladakh Union Territory in India (Wynter-Blyth 1957; Tshikolovets 2005; Varshney & Smetacek
2015). While we recorded the butterfly
at multiple locations in reasonable numbers, there are a few published records
of this species from Kashmir. The
Butterflies of India website (Kunte et al. 2019) has
only a single record of this species from Pakistan, and no records from
India. A report by Bhardwaj et al.
(2012) reported this species from Har-ki-dun in Gangotri Pashu Vihar National Park but presented no evidence in the form
of photographs or specimens; hence this record from Uttarakhand remains
unverified (Sondhi & Kunte
2018). Going by the numbers we
encountered during our visit, P. rapae is
locally abundant, especially in flowering fields.
Pieris deota de Nicéville, 1884 (Kashmir
White)
09 August 2018, 10.06h. Spotted an individual near Khema. 09 August
2018, 10.50–12.45 h, Khema, altitude 3,628m. Numerous individuals spotted before, at and
beyond Khema Village.
We spotted an egg-laying female (Image 8a–c). The host plant, yet to be identified, had
dozens of caterpillars of Pieris deota. 11 August 2018, 10.07h, Sakti-Rumste road, altitude 3,632m. A few individuals spotted in fields along the
road. Numerous caterpillars of Pieris
deota recorded on the host plant, which is yet to
be identified. We reported this species
during the survey undertaken in 2016 (Sondhi et al.
2017), and as during the earlier survey in 2016, the species was not common
anywhere.
Family Pieridae, Subfamily Coliadinae
Colias stolickzana stolickzana Moore, 1882 (Orange Clouded Yellow)
10 August 2018, 10.18–10.53 h, below Warila Pass, altitude 5,205m. About 3km beyond the Warila
Pass, the meadows were teeming with activity of Clouded Yellows, but the
butterflies were not sitting at all. At
one point, we ended up chasing butterflies across the meadows for 30 minutes
without getting a photograph. In flight,
the butterflies were bright orange above.
A few distant photographs revealed the UNH veins were not pale yellow,
and dark discal spots usually present, thereby
identifying them as Colias stolickzana stolickzana
Moore, 1882 (Image 2) and separating them from the similar Colias eogene
(Evans 1932; Talbot 1947; Tshikolovets 2005).
Family Nymphalidae,
Subfamily Nymphalinae, Tribe Nymphalini
Aglais ladakensis Moore, 1878 (Ladakh
Tortoiseshell)
05 August 2018, 10.33h, South Pullu,
altitude 4,663m. A solitary individual
recorded at the edge of the stream before South Pullu. The individual flew swiftly over the grassy
patch, settled and took to wing again.
The butterfly did not return to the area, despite SS spending 30 minutes
searching the area. 10 August 2018, just
below Warila Pass, altitude 4,927m. Photographed by LV at the stream below Warila Pass. 12
August 2018, 07.00–08.00 h, Rumste, altitude
4,558m. A kilometer
after Rumste, enroute to Tanglang Pass, lots of caterpillars and pupae found on
nettle plants along side road. The plant
was identified as the Himalayan or Northern Nettle Urtica
hyperborea Jacquem. ex
Wedd (Urticaceae), whose local name is ‘Dzatsutt’ or ‘Zozot’ (Chaurasia et al. 2008).
The caterpillar and its pupae were successfully reared, and its early
stages documented (Images 9–17).
Interestingly, though the caterpillars and pupae were abundant on most Urtica hyperborea
plants that we examined, we spotted only two adults during our two-week visit,
leading us to believe that the emergence of this species had yet to occur in
large numbers. We did not record A. ladakensis during our Ladakh
survey in June and July 2016 (Sondhi et al. 2017).
Nymphalis xanthomelas fervescens Esper, 1781 (Large Tortoiseshell)
09 August 2018, 10.33h, just beyond Khema, altitude 3,628m.
A single individual spotted alongside the road just after village Khema. 11 August
2018, 09.20h, Sakti-Rumste road, altitude
3,604m. A single individual was recorded
in rocky habitat with some shrubs, alongside the road, near a stream. We did not record N. xanthomelas
during our Ladakh survey in June and July
2016 (Sondhi et al. 2017).
Family Nymphalidae,
Subfamily Satyrinae, Tribe Satyrini
Lasiommata menava Moore, 1865 (Dark Wall)
04 Aug 2018, 08.34h, Sabu Village, Leh
outskirts, altitude 3,900m. Solitary
sighting of the female. 07 August 2018,
09.24h, fields above Turtuk, altitude 2,918m. Spotted a male and a worn female amongst the
rocks bordering the fields above Turtuk. While the male (Image 3c) is entirely dark
brown above, the female has a bright tawny sub-apical patch on the upperside of the forewing (Image 3a, 3b). We did not record L. menava
during our Ladakh survey in June and July 2016 (Sondhi et al. 2017). Lasiommata
menava’s known range is from Baluchistan and
Chitral in Pakistan east to Kashmir (Evans 1932; Talbot 1947; Tshikolovets 2005; Varshney & Smetacek
2015), however, a recent record by Abhay Soman and
team from Himachal Pradesh extends its known range eastwards (Anonymous 2019).
Paroeneis pumilus (Felder & Felder, [1867]) (Ladakh
Mountain Satyr)
09 August 2018, 14.00h onwards, enroute
to Warila Pass, altitude 4,139m. Spotted in a meadow, approximately 12km
before Warila Pass.
We counted at least 40–50 individuals.
The butterfly (Image 4) had a very weak flight; never flying for
long. The butterflies would settle
amongst the grass blades, often hidden from view. 10 August 2018, 11.00h, ~ 4km
below Warila Pass.
Two individuals spotted alongside the road. 11 August 2018, 15.52–16.30 h, Rumste, altitude 4,379m.
Spotted at least 40–50 individuals in the meadow alongside a stream,
approximately 3km beyond Rumste. 12 August 2018, 07.30h, Rumste. Some individuals were active at 07.30h the
next morning in the same meadow. We did
not record P. pumilus during our Ladakh survey in June and July 2016 (Sondhi
et al. 2017). This little-known
species, whose distribution extends from Kashmir eastwards to Nepal (Smith
2006; Sondhi & Kunte
2018), was surprisingly common locally. Tshikolovets (2005) recorded it from Rupshu
in 1998 and this remains the only recent published record of this species from
India.
Karanasa sp.
05 August 2018, 15.07h, North Pullu,
altitude 4,658m. A solitary individual
(Image 5) was recorded at the stream edge; only its underside was
photographed. It was not possible to
identify this to the species level without collecting specimens and molecular
phylogeny and/or genitalia dissection.
Family Lycaenidae, Subfamily
Theclinae
Satyrium (Superflua) deria (Moore, 1865)
(Indian White-line Hairstreak)
15 August 2018, 10.13–10.37 h, Tandi,
altitude 2,992m. On a dry hill slope,
4km from Tandi Village, we spotted a large number of Satyrium deria. On a particular flower species, a small shrub
with pinkish-purple flowers, there were always hairstreaks to be found;
sometimes up to five individuals on a single bush. Many individuals were worn. We estimated between 15–20 individuals on
that particular hill slope alone, leading us to believe that the species is
locally common in appropriate nectaring habitat. We had sighted just two individuals of this
species in June and July 2016 (Sondhi et al.
2017). SS had also spotted a few
individuals of this species in Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand (Sondhi 2019) on 25 June 2018. These previous sightings in Ladakh and Uttarakhand always consisted of one or two
individuals; hence the large numbers of S. deria
spotted at a single location near Tandi was
unusual. This species was reported as Superflua deria
Moore, 1865 during the last survey, and now stands revised to Satyrium deria
(Moore, 1865) (Krupitsky et al. 2018).
Family Lycaenidae, Subfamily
Lycaeninae
Lycaena aditya (Moore, [1875]) (Ladakh
Copper)
05 August 2018, 09.35h, near Ganglas,
altitude 4,348m. A solitary male of Lycaena aditya
(Image 6a, 6b) was sighted amidst short shrubs before South Pullu. The butterfly was observed basking. When it took to wing, it flew rapidly and did
not re-appear. There are few recent
published records of this species from India.
We did not record L. aditya during our Ladakh survey in June and July 2016 (Sondhi
et al. 2017). Tshikolovets
(2005) reported only three records of this species from Stok, Dras Valley and Namika La from northwestern Ladakh confirming
that it is an extremely rare species. L. aditya
has a narrow distribution from Chitral District (Pakistan) to Kashmir (India)
(Evans 1927, 1932; Tshikolovets 2005; Varshney & Smetacek 2015).
Family Lycaenidae, Subfamily
Polyommatinae, Tribe Polyommatini
Pamiria chrysopis (Grum-Grshimaïlo, 1888) (Bright Green Underwing)
15 August 2018, 08.30–09.03 h, Keylong,
altitude 2,993m. 4–5 individuals
recorded. 15 August 2018, 12.38h, Kokhsar, altitude ~3,200m.
2–3 individuals recorded. Two
species of Underwings Albulina metallica and Albulina omphisa were recorded during our previous survey (Sondhi et al. 2017).
These species are now listed under the genera Pamiria
based on revised classification using molecular data (Talavera et al.
2012). In addition, the individuals
spotted at Keylong and Kokhsar
were incorrectly identified as omphisa in the
2016 survey, whereas they are actually Pamiria
chrysopis.
These corrections are now made in the updated checklist (Table 3).
Family Papiliononidae,
Subfamily Papilioninae, Tribe Papilionini
Papilio machaon ladakensis
Moore, 1884 (Common Yellow
Swallowtail)
05 Aug 2019, 09.51h, near Ganglas,
altitude 4,348m. Numerous caterpillars
of P. machaon in early and late instars were
spotted on its larval host plant Heracleum candicans Wall (Apiaceae). An incomplete life cycle of the butterfly was
recorded, as the adult did not emerge (Images 18–24).
Family Papilionidae,
Subfamily Parnassiinae, Tribe Parnassiini
Parnassius epaphus Oberthür, 1879 (Common Red
Apollo)
05 August 2018, 10.33h, before South Pullu, altitude 4,600m.
Two individuals at the edge of the stream. 05 August 2018, 12.00–13.00
h, between Ganglas and Khardung
La. At altitude between 4,700–5,174 m on
the stretch of road leading up to Khardung La, till
up to about a kilometer from the pass, we witnessed a
mass emergence of P. epaphus. We estimated between 100–200 individuals
flying on the road and in the meadows surrounding the road. Everywhere we looked, we could see Parnassius species on the wing. Some Parnassius
individuals were victims of road kills on account of passing vehicles. 05 August 2018, 13.20–14.45 h, between Khardung La and North Pullu,
altitude 4,824m. On passing Khardung La, we observed very few individuals of Parnassius.
05 August 2018, 14.46h, 5km beyond N. Pullu,
after Khardung La, altitude 4,824m, one
individual. 10 August 2018, 09.47–10.20
h, before Warila Pass, altitude 5,200m, 30–40
individuals. After Warila
Pass, 2–3 individuals. 12 August 2018,
09.32h, before Tanglang Pass, altitude 5,343m, 15–20
individuals. After Tanglang
Pass, no sightings. Our observations of
the swarms of P. epaphus at numerous locations
had some patterns. All the swarms at Khardung La, Warila Pass and Tanglang Pass were in meadows around the road, about a kilometer below the pass, on the south-facing slopes. In
each of the passes, we recorded a very small number of Parnassius
individuals (0–5), on the north-facing hills slopes. In contrast, the south facing hill slopes of Khardung La, Warila Pass and Tanglang Pass, we observed large numbers of Parnassius (20–200 individuals) (Image 7a,b). Some of the individuals we observed we worn,
while others were very fresh, and we also spotted quite a few mating
pairs. Older literature does mentions
swarming Parnassius (Wynter-Blyth 1957), but
there are few recent published records of this phenomenon from India. On occasion, the butterflies would sit on the
ground and attempt to crawl into a crevice formed by rocks on the ground (Image
7c), making it difficult to photograph.
These new records reveal that much needs to be studied
across seasons in high altitude cold deserts of India. The impact of unbridled
tourism, climate change and other anthropogenic factors are yet to be
quantified and urgent assessments of Lepidoptera in these regions are needed
across the country.
Table 1. Route taken during butterfly surveys
|
Date |
Route taken |
1 |
03.viii.2018 |
Leh City outskirts (Spituk, Choklamsar) Leh District, LUT |
2 |
04.viii.2018 |
Leh City outskirts (Sabu village & Chushut) in Leh District, LUT |
3 |
05.viii.2018 |
Leh-Ganglas-South Pullu-Khardung La-North Pullu-Khardung
village in Leh District, LUT |
4 |
06.viii.2018 |
Khardung village-Khalsar-Hundar-Skuru-Turtuk in Leh
District, LUT |
5 |
07.viii.2018 |
Turtuk and surrounds in Leh
District, LUT |
6 |
08.viii.2018 |
Turtuk-Skuru-Hundar-Khema-Kinru in Leh
District, LUT |
7 |
09.viii.2018 |
Kinru-Khema-Warila Pass in Leh
District, LUT |
8 |
10.viii.2018 |
Warila Pass-Serthi-Sakti in Leh District, LUT |
9 |
11.viii.2018 |
Sakti-Karu-Upshi-Miru-Latu-Rumste in Leh
District, LUT |
10 |
12.viii.2018 |
Rumste-Tanglang La-Debring-Pang
in Leh District, LUT |
11 |
13.viii.2018 |
Pang-Lachung La-Whiskey nala-Serchu in Leh District,
LUT |
12 |
14.viii.2018 |
Serchu-Baralacha Pass-Zing Zing Bar-Darcha-Jispa-Keylong in Lahaul Spiti District, HP |
13 |
15.viii.2018 |
Keylong-Tandi-Sissu-Teling-Khoksar-Rohtang La-Kothi-Manali in Lahaul
Spiti District, HP |
Table 2. Species break up by family and subfamily
|
Family |
No of subfamilies |
No of species |
1 |
Hesperiidae |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Lycaenidae |
3 |
11 |
3 |
Nymphalidae |
3 |
18 |
4 |
Pieridae |
2 |
11 |
5 |
Papilionidae |
1 |
1 |
Table 3. Checklist of butterflies recorded during the
August 2018 survey along with locality, altitude range, and abundance.
|
Common name |
Scientific name |
Locations seen at |
Altitude range in m |
Estimated number of adults |
Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae,
Hesperiini |
|||||
1 |
Chequered Darter |
Hesperia comma dimila |
Below Warila Pass, below Tanglang Pass, below Baralacha
Pass |
4,900 |
3 |
Lycaenidae, Lycaeninae |
|||||
2 |
Ladakh Copper |
Lycaena aditya |
South Pullu |
4,348 |
1 |
3 |
Common Copper |
Lycaena phlaeas |
Below Baralacha Pass, Patsio, Keylong, Tandi, Kokhsar |
2,900–4,900 |
15–20 |
Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae |
|||||
4 |
Common Mountain Blue |
Albulina lehanus |
Khardung, Khema, Kinru, Sakti |
3,700–4,130 |
10 |
5 |
Bright Green Underwing |
Pamiria chrysopis |
Keylong |
3,000 |
6–8 |
6 |
Dusky Green Underwing |
Pamiria omphisa omphisa |
Sabu (near Leh), South Pullu, North Pullu, Warila Pass |
3,900–4,800 |
20 |
7 |
Lahaul Meadow Blue |
Polyommatus ariana |
South Pullu, Ganglas, Hundar, Turtuk, Zing Zing Bar, Keylong, Kokhsar |
3,000–4,600 |
85–90 |
8 |
Ladakh Meadow Blue |
Polyommatus stolickzana |
Spituk, Choklamsar, Sabu (all
near Leh), Turtuk, Keylong, Sisoo, Kokhsar |
2,800–3,200 |
10–12 |
9 |
Sea Jewel Blue |
Plebejus samudra
samudra |
Spituk (near Leh), Turtuk |
3,000 |
5–7 |
10 |
Eastern Baton Blue |
Pseudophilotes vicrama vicrama |
Ganglas, Turtuk |
2,900–3,200 |
2 |
11 |
Hill Hedge Blue |
Celastrina argiolus kollari |
Choklamsar, Chushut
(near Leh), Hundar, Turtuk |
2,900-–3,200 |
15 |
Lycaenidae, Theclinae, Theclini |
|||||
12 |
Indian Whiteline
Hairstreak |
Satyrium deria |
Tandi |
3,000 |
15–20 |
Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae,
Nymphalini |
|||||
13 |
Indian Tortoiseshell |
Aglais caschmirensis
caschmirensis |
Below Baralacha Pass |
4,900 |
1 |
14 |
Ladakh Tortoiseshell |
Aglais ladakensis |
Before South Pullu, below Warila Pass. Larvae near Rumste.
|
3,600–4,300 |
2 |
15 |
Large Tortoiseshell |
Nymphalis xanthomelas fervescens |
Khema, between Sakti & Rumste |
3,600 m |
2 |
16 |
Painted Lady |
Vanessa cardui |
Between Khardung & Khalsar, Turtuk, between Sakti
& Rumste, Miru, below
Baralacha Pass |
3,500–4,290 |
4–5 |
Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae,
Melitaeini |
|||||
17 |
Blackvein Fritillary |
Melitaea amoenula |
Near Khema & Kinru |
3,600–4,100 |
10–12 |
Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae,
Argynnini |
|||||
18 |
Highbrown Silverspot |
Argynnis jainadeva persephone IWPA, SCH II |
South Pullu, beyond Khardung, Khema, Kinru, enroute to Warila Pass |
3,800–4,400 |
17–20 |
Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Satyrini |
|||||
19 |
Common Satyr |
Aulocera swaha garuna |
Patsio, Keylong, Tandi, |
3,000–3700 |
35–40 |
20 |
Narrow-banded Satyr |
Aulocera brahminus brahminus IWPA, SCH II |
near Khoksar, below Rohtang La |
3,000–3,600 |
4–5 |
21 |
Scarce Mountain Argus |
Callerebia kalinda kalinda IWPA, SCH II |
Tandi |
3,200 |
1 |
22 |
Short-branded Meadowbrown |
Hyponephele brevistigma brevistigma |
Khema, between Sakti & Rumste,
Miru |
3,600–3,800 |
5 |
23 |
Dusky Meadowbrown |
Hyponephele pulchra |
Keylong, Tandi, Kokhsar |
3,000–3,200 |
15–20 |
24 |
Tawny Meadowbrown |
Hyponephele pulchella pulchella |
Ganglas, South Pullu |
4,200 |
2 |
25 |
Tawny Satyr |
Karanasa cf. huebneri |
25 km before Serchu, after
Serchu |
4,400 |
8–10 |
26 |
Satyr sp. |
Karanasa sp. |
North Pullu |
4658 |
1 |
27 |
Yellow Argus |
Paralasa mani mani IWPA, SCH II |
Ganglas, near South Pullu, |
4,200–4,500 |
4 |
28 |
Tawny Rockbrown |
Pseudochazara lehana |
Sabu (near Leh), beyond Khardung village, Khema, near Serchu |
3,600–4,400 |
12–15 |
29 |
Dark Wall |
Lasiommata menava |
Sabu (near Leh), Turtuk |
2,900–3,900 |
3 |
30 |
Ladakh Mountain Satyr |
Paroeneis pumilus |
Enroute to Warila Pass, below Warila Pass, near Rumste |
4,100–4,340 |
>100 |
Pieridae, Pierinae, Pierini |
|||||
31 |
Large Cabbage White |
Pieris brassicae nepalensis |
Spituk, Choklamsar, Sabu, Chushut (all near Leh), Hundar, Khalsar, Turtuk, Khema, Sakti, Rumste, Miru, Keylong, Tandi |
2,900–3,800 |
>200 |
32 |
Indian Cabbage White |
Pieris canidia indica |
Choklamsar
(near Leh), Hundar,
Turtuk, Kokhsar |
2,900–3,200 |
15–20 |
33 |
Small Cabbage White |
Pieris rapae rapae |
Choklamsar & Chushut
(near Leh), Hundar, Turtuk, Sakti |
2,800–3,800 |
>150 |
34 |
Kashmir White |
Pieris deota IWPA, SCH II |
Khema, Sakti |
3,600 |
8–10 |
35 |
Lofty Bath White |
Pontia callidice kalora |
Below Tanglang Pass. Below
Baralacha Pass |
4,900 |
3 |
36 |
Lesser Bath White |
Pontia chloridice IWPA, SCH II |
Khema, Miru |
3,600–3,800 |
3 |
37 |
Bath White |
Pontia daplidice moorei |
Miru |
3,800 |
6–7 |
Pieridae, Coliadinae |
|||||
38 |
Pale Clouded Yellow |
Colias erate erate |
Spituk, Choklamsar, Sabu, Chushut (all near Leh), Hundar, Turtuk, Sakti |
2,900–3740 |
~20 |
39 |
Dark Clouded Yellow |
Colias fieldi fieldi |
Turtuk, below Baralacha Pass, Serchu Keylong, Tandi, Kokhsar |
2,800–4,900 |
10–15 |
40 |
Ladak Clouded Yellow |
Colias ladakensis ladakensis IWPA, SCH II |
Kinru, below Tanglang Pass |
4,100–4,900 |
10–12 |
41 |
Orange Clouded Yellow |
Colias stolickzana stolickzana |
Below Warila Pass |
5,205 |
5–7 |
Papilionidae, Parnassiinae,
Parnassiini |
|||||
42 |
Common Red Apollo |
Parnassius epaphus epaphus |
Before South Pullu,
between Ganglass and Khardung
La, near North Pullu, before Warila
Pass, before Tanglang Pass |
4,600–5,400 |
>300 |
References
Anonymous (2019). Lasiommata menava Moore, 1865 – Dark Wall. In: Kunte,
K., S. Sondhi & P. Roy (chief editors). Butterflies
of India, v. 2.72. Indian Foundation for Butterflies. Available from
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org. Accessed 09 December 2019.
Bhardwaj, M., V.P. Uniyal,
A.K. Sanyal & A.P. Singh. (2012). Butterfly communities along an elevational gradient in
the Tons Valley, Western Himalayas: implications of rapid assessment for insect
conservation. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 15: 207–217.
Bingham, C.T. (1905–07). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and
Burma (Butterflies), Vol. 1 & II. Taylor and Francis, London.
Chaurasia, O.P., N. Khatoon &
S.B. Singh (2008). Field
Guide. Floral Diversity of Ladakh. Published by
Field Research Laboratory/Defence Research and Development Organization, Leh, 198pp.
Cantlie, K. (1963). The Lycaenidae portion
(except the Arhopala group) of Brigadier
Evans’ The Identification of Indian Butterflies 1932 (India, Pakistan, Ceylon,
Burma). Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, vi+156pp.
Evans, W.H. (1927). The Identification of Indian Butterflies. Bombay Natural
History Society, Bombay, x+302pp+32pl.
Evans, W.H. (1932). The Identification of Indian Butterflies. 2nd
revised edition. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, x+454pp+32pl.
Kehimkar, I. (2008). The Book of the Indian Butterflies. Bombay Natural History
Society and Oxford University Press, Oxford, xvi+497pp.
Kinyon, S. (2004). Illustrated Checklist for the Butterflies of
Myanmar. Smithsonian Institution. 197pp.
Krupitsky, A.V., I.G. Pljushtch &
O.V. Pak (2018). Systematics of the Satyrium (Superflua) deria (Moore, 1865) species group with description of a new
species from Afghanistan (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). Zootaxa 4399(2): 261–271.
Kunte, K., S. Sondhi, & P.
Roy (chief editors) (2019). Butterflies of India, v. 2.72. Indian Foundation for Butterflies. Available from
http://ifoundbutterflies.org/. Accessed 09 Dec 2019.
Marshall, G.F.L. & L. de Nicéville
(1882–90). The Butterflies of India, Burmah and Ceylon. Vol. I-III. The Calcutta Central
Press Co., Calcutta.
Mani, M. S. (1986). Butterflies of the Himalaya. Oxford & IBH
Publishing Co, 181pp+25pl.
Savela, M. (2019). Lepidoptera and some other life forms.
http://ftp.funet.fi/index/Tree_of_life/insecta/lepidoptera/. Accessed 09 Dec
2019.
Smith, C. (1994). Butterflies of Nepal. Revised Edition, Tecpress Service L.P., Bangkok, Thailand, 368pp.
Smith, C. (2006). Illustrated Checklist of Nepal’s Butterflies.
New Revised and Updated Edition. Walden Book House, Kathmandu, Nepal, 129pp.
Sondhi, S. (2019). Superflua deria Moore, 1865 – Indian White-line Hairstreak. In: Kunte, K., S. Sondhi & P. Roy
(Chief Editors). Butterflies of India, v. 2.72. Indian Foundation
for Butterflies. Available from https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org. Accessed 09
December 2019.
Sondhi, S. & K. Kunte. (2018). Butterflies and Moths of Pakke
Tiger Reserve. Second Edition. Titli Trust
(Dehradun), National Centre for Biological Sciences & Indian Foundation for
Butterflies, Bengaluru, vi+242pp.
Sondhi, S., B. Valappil, Y. Sondhi & A. Sondhi (2017). A report on some butterflies (Lepidoptera) from Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir and Lahaul
in Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 9(3):
9971–9987. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.3024.9.3.9971-9987
Swinhoe, C.
(1912–13). Lepidoptera Indica. Vol. X. Rhopalocera.
Family Hesperiidae. Reeve & Co, London, 361pp. + 78pl.
Talavera, G., V.A. Lukhtanov,
N. Pierce & R. Vila (2012). Establishing criteria for higher-level classification
using molecular data: the systematics of Polyommatus
blue butterflies (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). Cladistics
29: 166–192.
Talbot, G. (1939). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylone and Burma: Butterflies. Vol. 1. Taylor and
Francis, London. 600pp. + 3pl.
Talbot, G. (1947). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylone and Burma: Butterflies. Vol. 2. Taylor and
Francis, London. 506pp. + 2pl.
Tshikolovets, V.V. (2005). The Butterflies of Ladak
(N. W. India). Published by Vadim V. Tshikolovets,
Pardubice, Czech Republic. 176pp. + 30pl.
van Gasse, P. (2017). Butterflies of the Indian Subcontinent - Annotated
Checklist. Unpublished report.
Wynter-Blyth, M.A. (1957). Butterflies of The Indian Region. Bombay
Natural History Society, Bombay, xx+523pp.+72pl.