Record of Euploea mulciber (Cramer, [1777]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Delhi, India: evidence of range extension in a restored urban ecosystem
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9826.18.2.28430-28432Keywords:
Aravalli Biodiversity Park, butterfly conservation, climate change, Euploea mulciber, habitat restoration, Lepidoptera, range extension, urban biodiversityAbstract
This study documents the first records of the Striped Blue Crow butterfly, Euploea mulciber, in Delhi, India, observed within the Aravalli Biodiversity Park in 2013, 2018, and 2022. Previously unrecorded in the region despite extensive butterfly surveys, these sightings suggest a potential range extension, possibly facilitated by the park’s restored urban green space, which provides host plants and nectar sources. The repeated observations during mild winter conditions suggest a possible seasonal movement or the establishment of an emerging population. Further systematic monitoring is required to understand this range expansion.
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