A new jewel in Kashmir’s skies

Srinagar, Oct 18: Biodiversity enthusiasts have sighted and photographed for the first time ‘Hasora chromus’ commonly known as the Common Banded Awl in Kashmir.

Hasora chromus, the common banded awl, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae which is found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Known birder Ansar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that he sighted and photographed the Hasora chromus butterfly in Srinagar on Thursday.

This sighting in Kashmir marks a significant expansion in the known distribution of the species.

Taslima Sheikh, a leading butterfly expert from J&K, confirmed the identification.

Sheikh’s prior research documented the presence of Hasora chromus in the Jammu division at altitudes of 350 meters in Jammu and 1500 meters in Bani tehsil of Kathua district.

Despite extensive studies, the butterfly had never been observed in the Kashmir region until now.

Sheikh said, “This new sighting is exciting for butterfly enthusiasts and researchers alike. The Hasora chromus is known for its distinct markings, and finding it in Srinagar opens new possibilities for studying its range and behaviour in different altitudes and climates. My previous records focused on the species in Jammu, but its presence in Kashmir now adds to our understanding of the region’s biodiversity.”