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

Distribution

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

Gallery

See also

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

References