Slate Flash
Common NameSlate Flash
Scientific NameRapala manea
FamilyLycaenidae
SubfamilyTheclinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, orange
HabitatForest edges, open woodlands, gardens, scrubland
Geographic RangeIndia, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines)
Host PlantsAcacia, Ziziphus, Ixora
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants, larvae feed on leaves and buds, often exhibiting myrmecophilous associations with ants. Pupation occurs on the host plant or nearby.
Identification TipsLook for the uniform dull brown/grey underside, the presence of one or two short filamentous tails on the hindwing, and the distinct black spot ringed with orange near the tornus of the hindwing.
Description
A small hairstreak butterfly with a dull brown to greyish-brown underside, featuring faint darker lines and a prominent black spot with an orange halo on the hindwing near the tails.
