Common gem | |
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Male left, female right | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Lycaenidae |
Genus: | Poritia |
Species: | P. hewitsoni
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Binomial name | |
Poritia hewitsoni (Moore, 1865)
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Poritia hewitsoni, the common gem, is a small butterfly found in India, Myanmar,[1] Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam[2] that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family.
It ranges along the Himalayas from Kumaon to Assam in India and onto Myanmar.[1] Recorded from Mangan and Rangpo in Sikkim.[3][4]
It is a small butterfly with a 31 to 38 mm wingspan. Male upper: dark iridescent blue, usually with submarginal and apical spots. The cell on upperside forewing is entirely devoid of blue or with a minute blue spot at the base in some cases. Males also have a tufted brand on the upper hindwing above vein 7. The underside is brown with variable pale lineation. Females: brown above, with a few blue spots. The upper forewing has a yellow discal patch above a blue area.[3][4]
The butterfly has five subspecies in South Asia:[1]-
The common gem is found flying high in the lowland jungles. The males tend to fly rapidly and settle on leaves.[3] It occurs in Sikkim in October and November. The tufted brand on the male hindwing has a discernible, distinct odour.[4]