Euthalia malaccana

The butterfly species Euthalia malaccana has been recorded in the country for the first time. The discovery was made in Basar, the headquarters of Leparada district in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Between 2023 and 2024, five individuals of Euthalia malaccana were spotted and documented at an elevation of 685 metres above mean sea level.

• The specimens were identified based on photographic evidence and a detailed analysis of external morphological characteristics, which were cross-referenced with descriptions from scientific literature.

• This marks the first confirmed record of Euthalia malaccana in Arunachal Pradesh and in India, enriching the understanding of Papilionoidea (butterfly superfamily) diversity in the northeastern region of the country.

• The species is distinguishable by a blue apical spot on its forewings, with males showing a prominent spot and females exhibiting larger apical markings.

(Source: TH)