• Spotless Baron (Euthalia recta) was photographed again at Dzongu, North Sikkim, on 19 Oct 2025 by conservationist Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha—its 2nd confirmed Sikkim record after the first sighting on 29 Oct 2019 (also at Dzongu).
• In Arunachal Pradesh, addressed the 2nd Wakro Butterfly Meet (as part of the 8th Northeast Butterfly Meet) at Wakro, Kamlang Tiger Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary, announcing nature trail, angling spot, and a vision for a Butterfly Park to boost eco-tourism and conservation.

About the rare butterfly: Spotless Baron (Euthalia recta)

• Taxonomy:
  • Family: Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
  • Subfamily: Limenitidinae
  • Tribe: Adoliadini
  • Genus: Euthalia (Barons; includes Common/Commander-type butterflies)
• ID features (field):
  • Medium-sized ‘baron’ with absence of the usual white spots/patches seen in close relatives (hence “Spotless”).
  • Typical Euthalia wing shape with robust body; cryptic brown/olive upperside aiding camouflage on tree trunks/leaf litter.
• Habitat & ecology:
  • Eastern Himalaya hill forests; subtropical evergreen to moist broadleaf forests, generally mid-elevations.
  • Adults frequently shaded forest edges, damp patches; important bio-indicator of intact forest microhabitats.
• Distribution (broad):
  • Reported from parts of Eastern Himalaya into SE Asia; Sikkim records are very scarce, making Dzongu notable.
• Conservation note:
  • Rare/very local in Indian Himalaya; most likely Not Evaluated at global IUCN level; relies on undisturbed forest.

Northeast butterfly meets & Arunachal initiatives 

• Wakro Butterfly Meet (Kamlang Tiger Reserve & WLS, Arunachal): platform for species documentation, awareness, and eco-tourism.
• Other well-known meets in Arunachal: Namdapha Butterfly Meet (Namdapha TR, Changlang), Ziro Butterfly Meet (Lower Subansiri).
• Kamlang:
  • Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (older WLS) lies in Lohit district; the area is part of Kamlang Tiger Reserve (notified 2016)—India’s then newest TR in Arunachal.
  • Announced plans: Nature Trail, Angling Spot (responsible tourism), and a future Butterfly Park (research + conservation + livelihoods).

Quick Prelims facts (one-liners)

• Spotless Baron = Euthalia recta (Nymphalidae → Limenitidinae → Adoliadini).
• Key trait: lack of white spots typical of other Euthalia barons.
• Dzongu = Lepcha reserve, North Sikkim; biodiversity-rich.
• Kamlang Tiger Reserve = Arunachal Pradesh (Lohit district); TR notified in 2016; overlaps landscape of Kamlang WLS.
• Namdapha Tiger Reserve = Changlang district, Arunachal.
• Northeast butterfly meets promote eco-tourism + citizen science.
  

Statement-based MCQ 

Q. With reference to butterflies in Northeast India, consider the following statements:

1. Euthalia recta (Spotless Baron) belongs to the family Pieridae and is characterized by prominent white spots on forewings.
2. Dzongu in North Sikkim is known for Lepcha cultural landscapes and has yielded repeat records of the Spotless Baron.
3. Kamlang Tiger Reserve is located in Arunachal Pradesh and was notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2016.
4. Namdapha Tiger Reserve lies in Lohit district and hosts the annual Wakro Butterfly Meet.
   

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 1 and 3 only

Answer: A

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