Arhopala silhetensis


Arhopala silhetensis, the Sylhet oakblue, is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family. The species was first described by William Chapman Hewitson in 1862.
[Image:ArhsilmCrop.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Female]

Description

Male forewing 25 mm., bright shining blue, border 1 mm.Female lighter blue, border 4 mm. Below
somewhat ochreous brown, no purple wash. Above very similar to Arhopala malayica, but easily discernible by the reduction of the marking beneath, where the spots in the forewing are almost obsolete and the submarginal band is only represented by a nebulous stripe]. The female is not unlike that of Arhopala eumolphus, but easily distinguishable by the blue colouring above and the less lustrous under surface.

Subspecies

Range in India

The butterfly occurs in India from Sikkim onto north Myanmar, and, from Karens to south Myanmar.

Status

The species is considered rare.