Key Highlights
- Discovery of Zographetus mathewi, the 15th species in its genus and the fifth recorded in India.
- Species is endemic to low‑elevation forests (<600m) of the Western Ghats, Kerala.
- Distinctive morphology: yellow‑ochre hindwing, hairy forewings and swollen veins in males.
- Larvae feed exclusively on the legume vine Aganope thyrsiflora.
Detailed Insights
Taxonomic Clarification – Initial misidentification as Zographetus ogygia was corrected after meticulous examination of wing patterns and genitalia, leading to formal description in the journal Entomon.
Ecological Context – The species inhabits forest strata below 600 metres, with documented occurrences in Kallar, Shendurney, Edamalayar and Nilambur, suggesting a wider distribution than previously assumed.
– The find underscores the hidden biodiversity of the Western Ghats and highlights the urgency of protecting low‑elevation habitats through targeted field research and public awareness.