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Rediscovery of a Butterfly, Neptis Soma Shania Evans 1924 (lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh

Monwar Hossain
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Sundarbans spanning over Bangladesh and India is the largest mangrove forest in the world which supports enormous number of insects including many species of butterflies. I report here the rediscovery of a butterfly species Neptis soma shania Evans 1924 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from Harbaria location (22°17' 46.4" N & 89°37'00.8" E) of the Sundarbans of Bangladesh which was recorded in March, 2013. The last known record of this species was from the Nizampur (22°46'37.6"N & 91°34'35.6"E) of Bangladesh by Chowdhury and Mohiuddin in 1999. This butterfly species had been extremely rare and not been noted for the last 14 years. This finding is significantly important in updating the status and distribution of this butterfly in Bangladesh including Sundarbans given its extreme rarity.

Keywords: Neptis soma shania, Rediscovery, Sundarbans, Bangladesh.

Location: Harbaria of the Sundarbans.

Start Date: 00-03-2013

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Butterfly

Objectives:

This finding will provide an updated status and new site records for this butterfly species of Bangladesh and highlights the importance of Sundarbans as a habitat that supports one of the rarest butterflies in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Study area Harbaria (22°17' 46.4" N & 89°37'00.8" E) is one of most important location for tourists and located in the Khulna Range of the Sundarbans. This mangrove forest is extended across the areas of Bangladesh and India that covers 10,000 km² of which 6,017 km² falls in the Bangladesh territory. The Sundarbans mangrove forests are composed of taxonomically diverse, salt-tolerant trees like Goran (Ceriops decandra), Keora (Sonneratia apetala), Baen (Avicennia Officinalis), Passur (Xylocarpus moluccensis), Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), and Saila (Sonneratia caseolaris). Besides, there are some herbs and shrubs which further supplement for the habitats of butterflies. Of these, Khulsi (Aegiceras corniculatum), Hargoza (Acanthus ilicifolius), Baoli lata (Sarcolobus globosus), Akond (Calotropris procera), Asam lata (Mikania scandens), Ipomoea (Ipomoea illustris), Tylophora (Tylophora tenuis) and Wedelia (Wedelia biflora) are notable. Collection and identification The Neptis soma shania was collected from Harbaria of the Sundarbans. After collection, envelope was used for temporary storage, which was then carried to the Entomology laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University. The specimen was then stretched by a starching board and preserved in a wooden box for further taxonomic analysis. Identification of butterfly was done by using the keys developed and used by Moore (1858), Evans (1924, 1932), Wynter Blyth (1957) and Eliot (1969).

Source of Information: International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2014; 1 (3): 08-10

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A butterfly species Neptis soma shania Evans 1924 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) was rediscovered after 14 years from Harbaria location (22°17' 46.4" N & 89°37'00.8" E) of the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. This finding is significantly important in updating the status and distribution of this butterfly in Bangladesh including Sundarbans given its extreme rarity.

Knowledge Management: Journal