Sylhet oakblue | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Arhopala |
Species: | A. silhetensis
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Binomial name | |
Arhopala silhetensis (Hewitson, 1862)
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Synonyms | |
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Arhopala silhetensis, the Sylhet oakblue, (sometimes placed in Amblypodia)[1] is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family. The species was first described by William Chapman Hewitson in 1862.
Male forewing 25 mm., bright shining blue, border 1 mm.Female lighter blue, border 4 mm. Below somewhat ochreous brown, no purple wash. Above very similar to Arhopala malayica [now subspecies upper surface lilac-blue colour margined with black, the under-surface exhibits all the spots dark and distinct.The female has a broad black costal margin and distal margin], but easily discernible by the reduction of the marking beneath, where the spots in the forewing are almost obsolete and the submarginal band is only represented by a nebulous stripe]. The female is not unlike that of Arhopala eumolphus, but easily distinguishable by the blue colouring above and the less lustrous under surface. [2] [3]
The butterfly occurs in India from Sikkim onto north Myanmar, and, from Karens to south Myanmar. [4]
The species is considered rare.[4]