New Butterfly Species in Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, has yielded a new butterfly species named *Zographetus mathewi*. This skipper butterfly belongs to the family Hesperiidae and adds to the known diversity of the genus *Zographetus*. The species is endemic to the low-elevation forests of Kerala. It was identified through detailed morphological studies after initial confusion with a similar species. The discovery marks the rich and still unexplored biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
Discovery and Identification
The butterfly was found by a team from the Travancore Nature History Society, Institute of Tropical Research, Ecology and Conservation, and the Zoological Survey of India. Researchers first thought it was *Zographetus ogygia*, a species widely found in the Western Ghats. However, detailed examination of wing patterns and genital structures confirmed it as a new species. The findings were published in the journal *Entomon*.
Taxonomy and Naming
*Zographetus mathewi* is the 15th species in the genus *Zographetus* and the fifth recorded in India. It belongs to the *Zographetus satwa* species group, known for distinct wing venation and male secondary sexual traits. The species is named after George Mathew, a respected Indian entomologist and former head of the Kerala Forest Research Institute’s Entomology Division. Its common name, Sahyadri Spotted Flitter, pays tribute to the Western Ghats, locally called Sahyadri.
Physical Characteristics
This butterfly has unique features distinguishing it from close relatives. These include a basal hair tuft under the forewing, yellow-ochre scaling on the hindwing underside, and distinct genitalia in both sexes. Male butterflies display swollen veins on the forewings, a secondary sexual trait typical of the species group.
Habitat and Distribution
The species is endemic to Kerala’s low-elevation forests, found below 600 metres. Larvae feed on *Aganope thyrsiflora*, a leguminous vine. Though adult sightings are rare, with only one observed after years of fieldwork, multiple larvae and pupae were found in forested areas such as Kallar, Shendurney, Edamalayar, and Nilambur. This suggests a wider but still restricted distribution within the Western Ghats.
Significance of the Discovery
The identification of *Zographetus mathewi* adds to the biological richness of the Western Ghats. It puts stress on the importance of detailed fieldwork and morphological studies in revealing hidden biodiversity. The discovery also emphasises the need for conservation of low-elevation forests that harbour such rare and endemic species.
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