Restricted Purple Sapphire
Common NameRestricted Purple Sapphire
Scientific NameRapala iarbus
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyTheclinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorsorange, red, black, white
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, open woodlands
Geographic RangeSouth and Southeast Asia (including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines)
Host PlantsAcacia caesia, Bauhinia racemosa, Mallotus philippensis
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, with multiple broods
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly. Larvae are slug-shaped and often myrmecophilous (associated with ants). Pupation occurs on or near host plants.
Identification TipsKey features include the orange-brown underside with the distinctive red, black, and white marginal band on the hindwing, and the single white-tipped tail. Males typically have iridescent purple-blue uppersides.
Description
A small butterfly with an orange-brown underside, characterized by a prominent red band bordered by black and white along the hindwing margin, and a single white-tipped tail.
