New wildlife book documents 281 butterfly species at India's only gibbon sanctuary in Assam

Assams Hoollongapar Sanctuary which is home to the endangered western hoolock gibbon is also one of the richest butterfly habitats in the state where several of the rare winged beauties are found says a new bookIn his book Butterflies of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary naturalist and wildlife photographer Sarangapani Neog documents 281 butterfly species seen in the sanctuary in Assams Jorhat districtMany of these species are considered dream butterflies by lepidopterists because of their rarity and elusive natureNeog says rare species like Assam Forest Bob Scobura parawoolletti Redveined Lancer Pyroneura niasana and Yellowveined Lancer Pyroneura latoia are found at the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife SanctuaryThe sanctuary also supports numerous other uncommon and forestdependent butterfly species he addsAccording to Neog several ecological factors make the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary an ideal home for butterfliesIt possesses a welldeveloped multilayered forest canopy from towering Hollong trees forming the upper canopy to dense shrubs and herbs in the understorey This complex vegetation structure creates a variety of microhabitats suitable for different butterfly species Neog told PTIThe rich diversity of trees shrubs climbers grasses and herbs provides abundant host plants for caterpillars and nectar sources for adult butterflies The shaded forest trails sunny openings streams and mudpuddling spots further enhance butterfly diversity and make the sanctuary an excellent location for butterfly watching he saysAlthough the sanctuary is relatively small at 2098 sq km it is home to seven species of primates including the western hoolock gibbon along with Asian elephants leopards leopard cats fishing cats civets wild boars barking deer pangolins numerous reptiles birds squirrels and countless invertebratesNeog says the sanctuary has excellent accessibility for butterfly watchingIts wellmaintained forest trails and permitted guided trekking provide visitors researchers photographers and naturalists with excellent opportunities to observe and photograph butterflies in their natural habitat with minimal disturbance he saysOne of the highlights of Neogs book which is a second edition is its photographicbased identification system designed to make the process easier faster and more accurate for everyoneThe images highlight the real field appearance wing patterns colour variations posture and other distinguishing features that observers encounter during field surveys he saysThe author has dedicated one species per page for quick and convenient reference with wingspan scientific name and taxonomic informationHe uses field identification keys based on visible photographic features and lookalike species comparisons to avoid misidentificationThere is also a mention of watch season indicating the best time to observe each butterflyI have also used practical field notes drawn from extensive field experience rather than only published literature he saysNeogs became fascinated with butterflies since an early age He often visited the sanctuary with his father who served as a forest guard there for two decades and documented his observationsThe 321page book published by Photo Musings Colour Lab has comments from former chief editor of Butterflies of India Purnendu Roy butterfly experts and researchers Isaac Kehimkar Peter Smetacek and Saito Motoki and Lepidoptera Society Hong Kong chairman Young JamesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever