Horaga onyx


Horaga onyx, the common onyx, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in Asia.

Range

The butterfly is mostly seen in India and also in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Status

Locally common.

Larvae food plants

Coriaria nepalensis.

Description

The butterfly has a wingspan of 27 to 33 mm. Upperside: for both sexes, blue with broad black apex, termen and costa. Underside: the butterfly has dark yellowish or greenish brown with irregular and variable broad white discal band across their wings. Underside forewing: the male has a well defined brand along basal half of vein 1. Underside hindwing: well defined white band.

Habit and habitat

Found on thick hilly forests, never found on plains. Their flight is weak, prefers not to come out in the open, but does bask on leaves. In the north it flies up to 2,000 m on the hills when it is on the wing from March to May and in September to October.

Cited references