On 18th September, AJK State coordinator of PBS, Marium Majeed noticed a never-seen butterfly in her garden at Forward Kahuta (Haveli district). It was a tiny, sailer(Neptis)-like butterfly with yellow, not white, markings on upperside of its wings. These markings also were broader than sailers (Neptis) and had uneven edges. The butterfly was identified as Common Lascar and she had made a new discovery for her state.
Common Lascar (Pantoporia hordonia) is widespread in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and India, including the Himalayas, extending to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir (upto Rajouri and Kathua districts), not far from borders of Pakistan. It was very expected to be seen in Himalayan parts of Pakistan, particularly in autumn, when many Indian butterflies disperse and turn up in our territory. Altitudinal migration of some Himalayan butterflies to our foothills (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Haripur) also takes places in the same season. This is why, I frequently visit Margalla hills national park, Islamabad, during these months in pursuit of interesting butterflies.
After Marium`s record, I documented this species twice in the Margallas, once in October and on the other occasion in November, 2023. Common Lascar may be found in more areas of Pakistan from Sialkot to Islamabad from September to November. Male butterflies often visit wet grounds and both sexes are fond of nectaring from flowers. This species frequently keeps its wings open during puddling as well as perching and feeding. It is a weak flier, but quickly takes refuge into the forest when disturbed. Larval food plants of the lascar butterfly are Keekar (Acacia sp.) and Silk plants (Albizia sp.).
