Genus Poritia Rank Species | ||
Similar Poritia, Poritia erycinoides, Poritia phama, Simiskina, Surendra | ||
The common gem poritia hewitsoni
Poritia hewitsoni, the common gem, is a small butterfly found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam that belongs to the lycaenids or blues family.
Contents
- The common gem poritia hewitsoni
- poritia hewitsoni high speed video
- Range
- Description
- Taxonomy
- Habits
- Egg
- References
poritia hewitsoni high speed video
Range
It ranges along the Himalayas from Kumaon to Assam in India and onto Myanmar. Recorded from Mangan and Rangpo in Sikkim.
Description
It is a small butterfly with a 31 to 38 mm wingspan. Male upper: dark iridescent blue, usually with submarginal and apical spots. The cell on upperside forewing is entirely devoid of blue or with a minute blue spot at the base in some cases. Males also have a tufted brand on the upper hindwing above vein 7. The underside is brown with variable pale lineation. Females: brown above, with a few blue spots. The upper forewing has a yellow discal patch above a blue area.
Taxonomy
The butterfly has five subspecies in South Asia:-
Habits
The common gem is found flying high in the lowland jungles. The males tend to fly rapidly and settle on leaves. It occurs in Sikkim in October and November. The tufted brand on the male hindwing has a discernible, distinct odour.