Rediscovery of Common Tinsel Catapaecilma major Druce, 1895 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

During a butterfly survey in the remote village of Gailung in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, one Common Tinsel was recorded on 27th March 2023. The butterfly was photographed and identified with the help of field guides as Catapaecilma major Druce, 1895 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). The habitat was adjacent to local terrace farmland and was dominated by plants such as Ageratum conyzoides, Oxalis sp., Urtica sp., Fluggea virosa, and Bauhinia variegata. The butterfly was observed resting on the leaves of Ageratina adenophora. and was noted for its swift flight. The current communication highlights the first observation of Common Tinsel from the Garhwal Himalaya after 1930s.