Heliophorus epicles

Heliophorus epicles, commonly known as the purple sapphire, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Godart in 1823.

Subspecies

The subspecies of Heliophorus epicles are:

• Heliophorus epicles epicles Fruhstorfer, 1918 – western Java
• Heliophorus epicles hilima Fruhstorfer, 1912 – eastern Java
• Heliophorus epicles latilimbata Fruhstorfer, 1908 – Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, Myanmar, Andamans, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, southern Yunnan
• Heliophorus epicles tweediei Eliot, 1963 – Peninsular Malaya
• Heliophorus epicles sumatrensis Fruhstorfer, 1908 – Sumatra
• Heliophorus epicles phoenicoparyphus Holland, 1887 – Hainan

Distribution

In India, this butterfly can only be traced in the Himalayas at 2000–7000 ft (600–2100 m). Apart from that they can be found from Kumaon in the Himalayas to southern Myanmar. They mainly inhabit in dense forest region.

Gallery

• In Uttar Pradesh, India
  In Uttar Pradesh, India
• In Himachal Pradesh, India
  In Himachal Pradesh, India
• Male on left, female right
  Male on left, female right
• Male at Samsing in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India
  Male at Samsing in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India
• Male at Samsing
  Male at Samsing
• Male at Samsing
  Male at Samsing
• Male at Samsing
  Male at Samsing
• Male at Samsing
  Male at Samsing
• Female at Samsing
  Female at Samsing
• Female at Samsing
  Female at Samsing
• Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
  Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
• Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
  Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

See also

• List of butterflies of India
• List of butterflies of India (Lycaenidae)

References

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