Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network—Moodbidri

Moodbidri, Oct 5: An uncommon species of butterfly hailing from the Lycaenidae family, Aberrant Oakblue (Arhopala abseus), was spotted a week ago at Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Park located in Belvai.

Aberrant Oakblue was traced on Sunday September 28 by a team of butterfly enthusiasts from Coimbatore who arrived to capture the spectacular beauty of the various butterfly species living in the state’s first private park. Manoj Sethumadhavan, one of the members of the team, photo documented the rare species which is commonly found in the deep woods of North East India.

The entry of the Aberrant Oakblue is an addition to the 126 species of butterflies found in the park. The rare species, belonging to the second largest family of butterflies, is the fourth Oakblue, while Tamil Oakblue (Arhopala bazaloides), Western Centaur Oakblue (Arhopala pseudocentaurus) and Large Oakblue (Arhopala amantes) are the others.

“The spotting of this new species of butterfly reflects the richness of the conducive eco-system of the park,” said Sammilan Shetty. “This uncommon species was found in the 3.5 acres of secondary forest falling with in the 7.35 acres of the park. The secondary forest stretches into the Western Ghats and the Hopea ponga tree serves as the breeding plant for the butterfly,” he said.

Shetty further added that Hopea ponga trees were endemic to the Western Ghats and the secondary forest bears those trees. This is the prime scientific reason behind the growth of the Aberrant Oakblue. This plant also serves as the host plant for other Oakblue species and Monkey Puzzle (Rathinda amor).

When asked why the environment at the park is conducive for the butterflies to breed, Shetty said, “We have not drastically modified the park. The park has retained all native and nectar plants, which was natural, thus paving the way for the butterflies to breed. Any drastic modification will subdue the favourable environment for the growth of butterflies.”