Guwahati: A butterfly found fluttering along the misty mountain roads of Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley has turned out to be a species unknown to science, highlighting the Northeast’s growing importance as a hotspot for biological discoveries.
Researchers have described the new species, named Chonala albistricta or the Narrow-banded Wall, from Mayodia Pass in the Lower Dibang Valley district. The discovery was published this week in the international journal Zootaxa.
The butterfly was identified from three specimens collected at an elevation of about 2,600 metres in August 2025. Scientists say it is distinct from its closest known relative, Chonala masoni, a species found in Sikkim and parts of Tibet, differing in wing patterns, body characteristics and male genital structures.
The study was led by Krushnamegh Kunte of the National Centre for Biological Sciences, along with Fahim Khan and Ujwala Pawar. The researchers discovered the butterfly during field surveys in the Dibang Valley, an area increasingly recognised for its exceptional biodiversity.
What makes the discovery particularly intriguing is that the butterfly belongs to the genus Chonala, a little-known group of mountain butterflies.
Although the genus was first described more than 130 years ago, scientists note that seven of its ten known species have been discovered only in the last three decades, suggesting that remote mountain ranges across the eastern Himalayas may still harbour undiscovered species.
The newly described butterfly appears to have a very restricted range. So far, it has been recorded only from Mayodia Pass, though researchers believe it may also occur in nearby parts of Dibang Valley, Siang Valley and adjoining areas.
According to the study, the species inhabits open rocky slopes within subtropical evergreen forests and is commonly seen basking on rocks and along mountain roads during its brief flight season between July and August.
The discovery also underscores how much remains unknown about the biodiversity of Northeast India. The researchers found no historical records of the species in major natural history collections, indicating that it had escaped scientific attention despite decades of butterfly research in the region.
In their paper, the scientists suggest that more undiscovered Chonala species may exist in isolated mountain passes stretching from Northeast India to China. They argue that improved access to remote Himalayan landscapes and renewed interest in biodiversity surveys are helping reveal species that remained hidden for generations.
The finding adds to a growing list of new species being reported from Arunachal Pradesh, reinforcing the state’s reputation as one of India’s most important frontiers for biodiversity exploration.
Also Read: From one Takin in 1999 to eight in 2026: Sikkim’s remarkable wildlife discovery
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