First Record of Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758) from India: An Extension of its Known Distribution in Eurasia (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea, Nymphalidae)

This study reports the first confirmed record of Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758) in India, marking a significant range extension of this species into the Eurasian region. A single specimen was documented during an opportunistic field survey conducted in April 2025 in the Dharamshala region of Himachal Pradesh. This observation expands the known geographical distribution of V. atalanta and provides preliminary insights into its local habitat preferences and potential larval host plants in the Western Himalayan ecosystem. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of the species’ ecological adaptability and biogeographical dynamics in South Asia.