Malayan Green Banded Peacock butterfly - The new butterfly species

Malayan Green Banded Peacock butterfly - The new butterfly species

Question - India is home to a rich and diverse flora and fauna. A new butterfly species has been found recently for the first time in India. Discuss this recent discovery.

Wildlife enthusiasts have found the Malayan Green Banded Peacock butterfly also known as Papilio palinurus which has been found for the first time in India

• This butterfly is native to the South east Asian countries

• It has a dusty green base with a bluish green brand spread over both the wings in an arc shape

• This butterfly species is endemic to southern Myanmar and peninsular Thailand as well as Borneo and the Philippines

• This butterfly was spotted at West Bengal’s Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary in the South 24 Paraganas

• This butterfly was discovered by A. B. Roy, S, Patra and K. Kunte

• This butterfly was also recorded in Bangladesh by well known lepidopterist T. Larsen

• This sanctuary where the butterfly was recorded is home to over 80 species of butterflies

• This butterfly species is referred to as “flagship species”

• West Bengal is home to 600 known species of butterflies

• India is home to 1,500 species of butterflies

• This adds to the number of different peacock butterflies which possess powdery green pigments

• West Bengal is home to a wide range of peacock butterflies including:

- Krishna Peacock
- Blue Peacock
- Paris Peacock
- Common Peacock
- Common Banded Peacock
- Buddha Peacock/Malabar Banded Peacock

Facts and Stats

The Malayan Green Banded Peacock is also known as the :

- Green Banded Peacock
- Emerald Peacock
- Emerald Swallowtail
- Banded Peacock
- Burmese Banded Peacock

• This species was recently reported in Chittagong, Bangladesh as well as Rakhine in Myanmar