Monkey Puzzle Butterfly

Monkey Puzzle Butterfly Latest News

In a heartening discovery, a vibrant Monkey Puzzle butterfly has been recently spotted in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) of southeastern Madhya Pradesh, famously known as the ‘Land of Jungle Book’s Mowgli.’

About Monkey Puzzle Butterfly

• Monkey puzzle (Rathinda amor) butterfly is a small lycaenid or blue butterfly.
• Distribution: It is endemic to South Asia, specifically India’s Western Ghats, the southern Indian plains, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. 
• Habitat: 
  • This butterfly is found in jungle areas of moderate to heavy rainfall – both, in heavy forest and scrub. 
  • The butterfly occurs below 900 meters or so. It keeps to undergrowth and can be seen along forest paths and in clearings.
  • Conservation Status: This species is not legally protected in India under any schedules of the WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Monkey Puzzle Butterfly Features

• Sexes alike. 
• Wingspan: 26 to 28 mm. 
• Upperside: The butterfly is dark brown. It has a white-spot end cell. 
• Underside: The butterfly is white to dark yellowish brown. The forewing has irregular dark basal markings with a curved white discal line. The apical two-fifths are a rich dark brown colour. 
• The hindwing has a silvery margin with many irregular black lines and spots within. 
• It has three tails, being 2 mm, 6 mm, and 2.5 mm in length. Its tails are tipped in white.    

Source: NIE

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