Euthalia zubeengargi
| Euthalia zubeengargi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Euthalia |
| Species: | E. zubeengargi |
| Binomial name | |
| Euthalia zubeengargi Upadhaya & Sadasivan, 2026 | |
Euthalia zubeengargi, the Basar duke, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Limenitidinae. It was discovered by Roshan Upadhaya and Kalesh Sadasivan in the eastern Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh. The species is named in honor of Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg.[1]
The species has been provisionally classified under the subgenus Limbusa as Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi.
Taxonomy
Euthalia zubeengargi belongs to the genus Euthalia, a group of butterflies commonly known as barons, distributed across the Indomalayan realm. The genus is part of the tribe Adoliadini within the subfamily Limenitidinae.
Discovery
The species was discovered in the Basar region of Lepa Rada district in Arunachal Pradesh during field surveys conducted in 2025.[2][3]
It was identified by Roshan Upadhaya, a naturalist, in collaboration with researcher Kalesh Sadasivan of the Travancore Natural History Society.[4][5]
This species is only known from two males, and appears to be heavily localised.[1]
Description
Euthalia zubeengargi is a medium-sized forest butterfly characterised by olive-brown wings with distinct white markings and subtle iridescence.[6][7] The female is unknown.
Distribution and habitat
The species is currently known only from the Basar region of Lepa Rada district in Arunachal Pradesh, India.[3]
It inhabits semi-evergreen forests at elevations of approximately 600–700 metres, preferring cool, shaded understories.[2]
Field observations indicate that the butterfly feeds on tree sap and minerals from moist surfaces.[8]
Behaviour and ecology
The butterfly is typically active during late morning to early afternoon and exhibits slow, short-distance flight patterns.[8] Its life cycle, larval host plants, and breeding behaviour remain undocumented.
Etymology
The species is named after Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in recognition of his contributions to regional culture and identity.[4]
Conservation
The conservation status of Euthalia zubeengargi has not yet been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The limited number of observed individuals has raised concerns about its rarity and potential vulnerability, highlighting the need for further research and conservation efforts.[6]
See also
References
- 1 2 Upadhaya, Roshan; Sadasivan, Kalesh (2026-03-31). "A new species of Euthalia Hübner, 1819 subgenus Limbusa Moore, [1897] (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Limenitidinae, Adoliadini) from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India". Entomon. 51 (1): 1–10. doi:10.33307/entomon.v51i1.1607. ISSN 0377-9335.
- 1 2 "Butterfly species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh named after singer Zubeen Garg". NDTV. 28 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Butterfly species discovered in Arunachal named after singer Zubeen Garg". Press Trust of India. 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- 1 2 "New butterfly species recorded in Arunachal, named after Zubeen Garg". The Hindu. 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ Goswami, Roopak (27 March 2026). "First plant, now butterfly: Another species named after Zubeen Garg". EastMojo. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Butterfly named after Zubeen Garg discovered in Arunachal Pradesh". Mathrubhumi. 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ "Newly discovered rare butterfly species named after Zubeen Garg in Arunachal". Pratidin Time. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- 1 2 "New butterfly species Euthalia zubeengargi discovered in Arunachal Pradesh". Northeast Today. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.