Podanotum wayquecha Faynel, Fahraeus & Siebel 2026, sp. nov.

Scientists have discovered and described a new species of butterfly, Podanotum wayquecha, within the UNESCO-listed Manú National Park. This species is distinguished by its unique wing pattern, which includes rounder hindwings and reduced blue scaling compared to similar species like P. clarissimus. Genetic analysis revealed a 3.28% mean divergence in COI from P. clarissimus, confirming its status as a distinct species. The discovery was made through morphological examination of adult specimens and genitalia, alongside genetic sequencing. Podanotum wayquecha inhabits cloud forests at elevations between 2950–3400 meters in southern Peru and northern Bolivia, exhibiting territorial behavior on treetops. Its name derives from the Quechua word for 'brother,' referencing its habitat near the Wayquecha biological station.

Robertc. Busby, Siebel, G., Schomann, A. M., Gonzalez-Mercado, J. H., Lopez-Calderón, L., Moreno-Torres, K., & Prieto, C. (2026). Podanotum wayquecha Faynel, Fahraeus & Siebel 2026, sp. nov. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.21564743