Delhi just witnessed a small but significant win for urban biodiversity! A record 70 butterfly species were spotted across the city this year. From gardens and forest edges to city parks, the capital’s green pockets are buzzing with more colour than ever, signalling healthier habitats and growing conservation awareness.
Delhi Sees A Boom In Butterfly Species
According to Hindustan Times, this year, Delhi recorded 70 butterfly species, and for the second consecutive year, new Himalayan visitors have found their way into the city. While the overall increase was modest, just two species more than last year, it was the rise in rare sightings that truly excited ecologists.
Delhi saw the return of Absentees butterfly species. According to experts, the rise in numbers is due to “accidental immigration”. Saplings, fruits, and vegetables brought in from Himalayan states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh often carry tiny eggs or pupae hidden on leaves and stems. These survive the journey and eventually transform into butterflies once they reach the city’s greener, warmer environment.
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What Caused This Rise In Numbers?
Interestingly, over the last few years, Delhi has regularly recorded sightings of butterfly species that usually never made it past the lower Shivaliks. Hindustan Times reported that in 2023, Delhi saw its first-ever sighting of the common cerulean (Jamides celeno), a butterfly typically found in Himalayan regions. Last year, the city saw the arrival of the large branded swift (Pelopidas sinensis). Even the common jay (Graphium doson), usually native to the Himalayan belt, has now moved beyond occasional visits and has begun breeding in Delhi.
So, what is driving this butterfly boom in Delhi? Favourable conditions, strong monsoon, growing green cover, and the development of dedicated butterfly parks in the city have all contributed to Delhi’s butterfly boom. All these changes have created more habitats and breeding spaces across the city. Additionally, large-scale plantation drives and the movement of produce from Himalayan states have unintentionally brought new butterfly species into Delhi, giving the city an even more diverse flutter of wings.
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Have you spotted any interesting new species of butterfly in the city? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/James Wheeler (representative image)