LANTANA CAMARA,THE DUSTED APOLLO

LANTANA CAMARA

 Origin and Introduction: a tropical American shrub and was introduced to India in the early 1800s 

as an ornamental garden shrub due to its attractive fl owers. Recognized as one of the world’s 10 

worst invasive species,

 Invasive Nature: It has become an invasive species, spreading across forest fl oors, climbing over 

trees as a creeper, and entangling with native plants, thereby invading more than 40% of India’s 

tiger habitats and posing a signifi cant threat to biodiversity.

 Impact on Ecosystem: Lantana competes with native plants for space and resources, alters soil 

nutrient cycles, and depletes native forage plants for wild herbivores. It can cause allergies, diarrhea, 

liver failure, and even death in animals that consume it.

 Worst-hit regions: The Shivalik Hills in the North, fragmented deciduous forests of Central India, 

and the Southern Western Ghats .

 Climate Adaptation: Lantana camara can tolerate warmer temperatures and more moisture than 

in its native habitat, allowing it to exploit the changing climate conditions where native plants fail.

 Medicine Uses: Lantana camara leaves are used for healing wounds, treating fever, coughs, 

infl uenza, stomach aches, and malaria. Also employed in treating cancers, chickenpox, measles, 

rheumatism, and ulcers.            

THE DUSTED APOLLO

 First Sighting in Himachal Pradesh: The Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus) was photographed 

for the fi rst time in Himachal Pradesh.Dusted Apollo is extremely rare.

 Discovery Year: This species was discovered in 1890.

 Distribution Range: Its habitat extends from Ladakh to West Nepal, thriving at altitudes between 

3,500 to 4,800 meters in the inner Himalayas.

 Signifi cance of Sighting: a positive sign of the diverse Apollo butterfl y population highlighting 

the region’s rich biodiversity.

 Conservation Concerns: Apollos are considered commercially important butterfl ies and they 

fetch high prices in the poaching industry. The Regal Apollo (Parnnasius charltonius), another rare 

species, is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.