"Out of the 1300 varieties of butterflies found in India, Uttarakhand was home to 450 until recently when three more names were added to the list," said Statistical Officer, Forest Department, Shankar Kumar who is also a biodiversity enthusiast.
The three new varieties found are 'No War Three Ring', botanical name, Ypthima Newara, belonging to the Nymohakidae family,'Western Five Ring', botanical name Ypthima Indecora, of the Nymohakidae family and 'Ciliate Blue', botanical name Anthene Emoluss of the Lycaenidae family, Kumar said.
Of the three new varieties, the first two were discovered and photographed in Nainital whereas the third was found in Haldwani, he said.
Founder of Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal Peter Smetacek confirmed the discoveries saying they were new for the state.
