The discovery of a new moth
species, the Endoclita fahringeri, in
the mountains of Gunung Leuser in
Sumatera, Indonesia is proving to be
a landmark in scientific history, as
narrated by Alfred Fahringer.
Into an ancient origin
It was the beginning of August in the
dry season, and our journey began
from Singapore to Medan. Together
with my brother Richard and our
friend Nick Hughes, we first passed
the resort town of Berastagi and
onto Kutacane before arriving at the
starting point of our trek, located on
the eastern foothills of Gunung Leuser.
The Gunung Leuser mountain range
is located in Aceh, the northernmost
province in Sumatra. Its capital, Banda
Aceh, was badly hit by the Indian
Ocean tsunami of 2004.
Land Before Time
A NEW MOTH SPECIES IS
DISCOVERED IN ACEH
Text Alfred FahringerGunung Leuser is a truly
prehistoric landscape, sitting on
220 million-year-old rocks and
harbouring forests and creatures that
for millennia have been untouched. It
was my love and curiosity for moths
and butterflies that led me on this
two-week expedition, and perhaps
the desire to spot an Ice Age relic,
trapped in a pocket somewhere on
these tropical mountains.
Our guide was a short man in
his mid-forties called Happy Happy,
whose real name was Usman. Together
with five porters, we ascended up
primary forests, summiting at Gunung
Pucuk Angkasan, Camp Simpang Air,
Camp Bipak 1 and finally throughSungai Alas, one of the largest rivers
of Sumatra into the Bipak Ridge.
Throughout this time, my eyes
were constantly on the lookout for
butterflies. I spotted no more than
three or four. They were species that
I recognised – two Delias momea
crossing the ladang, a Lexias at the
entrance to the forest and an orangeGunung Leuser sits on 220 million-
year-old rocks, harbouring creatures
untouched for millennia like this
Endoclita moth
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