Paintbrush swift butterfly

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.