Rare butterfly form documented for first time near Puducherry

Puducherry: A rare philomela form of the Common Wanderer butterfly (Pareronia hippia) has been documented for the first time in Poothurai in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district.

The sighting was recorded by butterfly enthusiast Smita Rani Mishra, a resident of Puducherry.

Historically, the species has been reported more often from northeastern India and adjoining regions.

Records from peninsular India are comparatively scarce, making the observation near Puducherry a rare one.