About the Paintbrush Swift Butterfly:
- It is a butterfly species of the Hesperiidae family.
- The species has never been photographed in Himachal Pradesh since its discovery in 1878.
- This is the first time that we have photographed and documented it.
- It was first described by lepidopterist Frederic Moore more than 145 years ago.
- It is identified based on two separated spots in the upper forewing cell.
- The species’ larvae feed on bamboo and some other grass species.
- Habitat: Its habitat is distributed in northeast, central and south India, and rare in Uttarakhand.
- Threats: Habitat loss and scarcity of larval host plants are major causes of the decline in the butterfly population. An increase in pesticide use, deforestation, and climate change.
- Conservation status
- This species is legally protected in India under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
