Meet ‘Basar Duke’, the butterfly named after Zubeen Garg

Itanagar: A newly discovered butterfly species in Arunachal Pradesh has been named after Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, marking a rare intersection of science and cultural tribute. 

The species has been scientifically classified as Euthalia (Limbusa) zubeengargi. It was recently recorded in the Basar region of Leparada district in the northeastern state, officials confirmed.

The discovery was made during fieldwork in the forested landscapes of Basar by butterfly enthusiast and police officer Roshan Upadhaya, along with researcher Kalesh Sadasivan.

A rare find in dense forest habitats

After detailed study, researchers confirmed that the butterfly had not been documented before. They proposed the common name “Basar Duke”, linking it directly to the area where it was first identified.

Officials described the discovery as both scientifically significant and a tribute to the lasting cultural influence of Zubeen Garg across the Northeast.

The species is believed to be extremely rare. Despite extensive surveys in the region, only two individual butterflies were observed. This has led to uncertainty over whether the species is genuinely scarce or simply difficult to detect within thick forest environments.

Habitat and behaviour of the species

The butterfly is found in semi evergreen forest ecosystems at altitudes ranging between 600 and 700 metres. It is typically seen in shaded understory areas.

Field observations suggest that it moves slowly through vegetation. Its feeding habits include drawing nutrients from tree sap, along with obtaining minerals from damp surfaces within the forest.
With agency inputs