Rapala (butterfly)


Rapala is a genus of butterflies in the tribe Deudorigini of the subfamily Theclinae of the family Lycaenidae. They are found throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia, with a few species extending to Australia and into the eastern Palaearctic region.
Males of Rapala are differentiated from other genera in the Deudorigini by their genitalia, with the conjoined valvae tapering evenly to rounded apices. The male secondary sexual characters also differ. In every species there is a brand above the origin of vein seven and lying wholly within space seven, clothed with very small scent scales, and nearly always there is an associated erectile hair tuft on the forewing dorsum beneath.
Almost all species exhibit sexual dimorphism in the colour of the upperside; normally the male is red, reddish brown or deep blue, while the female is dark brown or pale purple blue.

Selected species

Rapala arata Rapala cassidyiRapala christopheri Rapala dioetasRapala diopitesRapala iarbusRapala lankanaRapala melampusRapala manea Rapala melidaRapala nemorensis Oberthür, 1914Rapala repercussa Leech, 1890Ropala ribbei Johannes Röber, 1886 Rapala rhoecusRapala schistaceaRapala scintillaRapala seliraRapala sphinxRapala suffusaRapala tomokoae H. Hayashi, Schrőder & Treadaway,