Scientists discovered 77 new butterfly species in Matheran

After 125 years researchers have identified 140 species of butterflies from Matheran, over 80km from Mumbai, during an eight-year-long study. The last checklist was by British researcher JA Betham who documented 78 butterfly species in 1894-95.

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The latest findings were published in a research paper – Finding the Forgotten Gems – in the Biodiversity Data Journal published from Bulgaria.

The study was carried out by Mandar Sawant and Nikhil Modak from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) along with Sagar Sarang from Somaiya College, Vidyavihar.

With 140 species belonging to six families, the current list includes 15 species protected under various schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, including crimson rose, orchid tit, and Daniad eggfly listed under schedule I.

Additionally, 16 locally very rare species, 11 rare, 20 uncommon, 49 common and 44 very common species were identified. The top 10 very rare species include – orange-tailed awlet, orange awlet, Tamil spotted flat, plain banded awl, common sergeant, rustic, double branded crow, orchid tit, plain puffin, and large oakblue.

Among these, the double branded crow was identified for the first time and there has only been a single sighting so far in March 2019.

About Matheran

Matheran is a hill station and a municipal council in Karjat Tahsil in the Raigad district, Maharashtra. It is located on the Western Ghats range.

Matheran is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Matheran, which means “forest on the forehead” (of the mountains) is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Union Ministry of Environment.