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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/dusted-apollo-a-rare-high-altitude-butterfly-sighted-for-first-time-in-himachals-chamba/article67807682.ece 

Context: Dusted Apollo, a rare high-altitude butterfly, was spotted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh.

Details

• The Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus), a rare high-altitude butterfly, has been sighted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district.
• This discovery brings attention to the flourishing diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region and marks a significant find for butterfly enthusiasts.

Rare and High-Altitude Habitat

• The Dusted Apollo is an extremely rare high-altitude butterfly.
• The species had never been photographed before in Himachal Pradesh.
• The butterfly's distribution range extends from Ladakh to West Nepal, and it typically flies at altitudes between 3,500 to 4,800 meters in the inner Himalayas.

Species Identification

• The Dusted Apollo closely resembles the Ladakh Banded Apollo (Parnnasius stoliczkanus).
• A butterfly expert and researcher, Lovish Garlani, mentioned that the identification of the Dusted Apollo was confirmed through thorough scientific examinations.

Importance of the Discovery

• The sighting of the Dusted Apollo and another rare species, the Regal Apollo (Parnnasius charltonius), at Manimahesh is seen as an encouraging indication of the flourishing diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region.
• Apollo butterflies are considered commercially important and are often targeted in the poaching industry.
• Many Apollo butterfly species are now endangered, emphasizing the need for conservation and protection.

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