In a notable addition to Sikkim’s biodiversity records, the Black-spot Royal Butterfly (Tajuria luculentus) has been recorded in the state for the first time, extending its known distribution range to the Eastern Himalayas.
The discovery, detailed in the March–June 2025 issue of Bionotes, a quarterly newsletter of the Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal, marks Sikkim as the third Indian state after Manipur and Meghalaya where this rare species has been confirmed.
The butterfly was documented by Sikkim-based researchers Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Monish Kumar Thapa, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo during a field survey at Noam Panang in Dzongu, North Sikkim, on April 19. It was observed feeding high up in a tree among nearly 30 to 35 other butterfly species.
“The current finding not only extends the known distribution of Tajuria luculentus to Sikkim but also confirms its presence in the State,” the Bionotes report noted.
Sikkim is home to more than 720 recorded butterfly species, making it one of India’s richest regions for butterfly diversity and a vital part of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. Dzongu alone accounts for over 428 documented species.
Experts believe that many more butterfly species in the region remain unrecorded and could be discovered through further exploration and research.
The Black-spot Royal, also known as the Chinese Royal, is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act. Belonging to the Tajuria genus under the Lycaenidae family, the butterfly is distinguished by its vibrant blue wings marked with prominent black spots and lines.
