On the occurrence of three new Lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera) from Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

The present communication deals with three butterfly species belonging to family Lycaenidae and subfamily Theclinae, recorded for the first time from different localities in a mountainous watershed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during 2020. These include Esakiozephyrus icana, Spindasis ictis and Tajuria jehana. The information on their current extent and known occurrence will be helpful in updating the range distribution of butterflies in north-western Himalayas.

Keywords

• elevational bands
• lepidopteran fauna
• maountainous landscapes
• neery watershed
• north-western himalayas