author(s)
Shankar Kumar, Raj Shekhar Singh, Paramjit Singh and Sagar Balmiki

abstract
In this paper, we have documented the rediscovery of two butterflies: Dusky Yellow-breast Flat Gerosis phisara (Moore, 1884) and Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia (Hewitson, 1876) from a hilly state Uttarakhand of India. Gerosis phisara was rediscovered from the Nalena site of Nainital district, about 70 years after Evans documented it from Uttarakhand. Similarly, Caleta decidia was rediscovered from the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary (NWLS) of Uttarakhand about 80 years after Peile recorded it from the Kumaon region. The findings presented here are based on the random surveys carried out in various parts of Nainital districts from July 2016 to November 2018. During a survey of butterflies on the outskirts of the Nalena village in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state on 14 August 2016, our attention was caught by a butterfly basking on a stone near a water stream at 12:39 hrs (IST), 975 meters above sea level (asl). This butterfly was photographed properly and identified as Dusky Yellow-breast Flat Gerosis phisara. A total of 05 specimens were recorded from various sites of study areas during the study period (July 2016 to November 2018). A single specimen of Angled Pierrot Caleta decidia was observed near a water stream on October 14, 2018, at 11:30 hrs (IST) in Machli van, during a two day survey carried out in the Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarakhand from 14 to 15 October 2018. The forest types of NWLS have been classified as ranging from semi-evergreen to mix deciduous with a predominance of Sal Shorea robusta. Both the species were photographed from different angles to get enough photographs to confirm the identification of the species. There is a gap of nearly seven decades in updating distribution records and hence claiming the rediscovery of these rare butterflies is justified. Hence, these records are helpful for updating the status and distribution of the butterfly fauna in Uttarakhand.