Zographetus mathewi, commonly called the Sahyadri Spotted Flitter, is a newly described skipper butterfly endemic to Kerala’s low-elevation forests in the Western Ghats. It is the 15th species in the Zographetus genus and the fifth reported from India, identifiable by distinct wing and genital traits.
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Lepidopterists have discovered a new butterfly species in the biodiverse Western Ghats.
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Feature |
Details |
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Common Name (Proposed) |
Sahyadri Spotted Flitter |
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Taxonomic Family |
Hesperiidae (Skipper Butterflies) |
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Genus |
Zographetus Watson |
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Species Group |
Zographetus satwa species-group |
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Number in Genus (Oriental Group) |
15th species |
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Recorded from India |
5th species from India |
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Endemic Region |
Low-elevation forests of Kerala, Western Ghats (Sahyadri hills) |
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Key Identification Features |
- Swollen forewing veins in males (secondary sexual trait) - Basal hair tuft on the underside of the forewing - Yellow-ochre scaling on hindwing underside - Distinct genitalia in both sexes |
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Ecological Role |
- Pollinators - Biological pest control - Prey for other species - Enhance genetic variation in plants - Environmental beauty enhancers |
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Environmental Importance |
Act as bioindicators; their presence, abundance, and diversity reflect ecosystem health |
Source: The Hindu
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding Zographetus mathewi:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: It belongs to the family Hesperiidae, not Nymphalidae. Statement 2 is correct: It is endemic to the low-elevation forests of Kerala (Western Ghats). Statement 3 is incorrect: It is the fifth species of the genus recorded from India, not the first. |
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