The Copper Flash

Rapala pheretima

Description

Male Rapala pheretima has dark reddish brown side wings and the female is dull blue. The underside of the wing is pale brown in color, has a white brown post-discal band on the outer side. The forewings have spots in the center of the forewing cells, the hind wings have marginal black spots in space 2 and tornal lobes, between these spots in the marginal area of ​​space 1b are covered by a bluish color. This species has a white tipped tail at the end of the 2nd vein.

Larva: Rapala pheretima larvae are yellowish green in color with oblique dorso-lateral spots with white stripes. It has a conical protrusion with setae in the dorso-lateral area.

Pupa: The pupa of Rapala pheretima is reddish brown in color with small black spots, is typical of lycaenids with a short abdomen.

Population Size

-

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

-

LENGTH

Wingspan from 31-35 mm.

Ar

Arboreal

He

Herbivore

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Arthropoda

CLASS

:

Insecta

ORDER

:

Lepidoptera

FAMILY

:

Lycaenidae

GENUS

:

Rapala

SPECIES

:

Rapala pheretima

Distribution

Rapala pheretima can be found in rainforests, nature reserves and city parks.

Geography

Continent : Asia

Country : Rapala pheretima spread in Asia.

Habits and Lifestyle

Rapala pheretima is a fast flyer, often seen visiting the flowers of various plants for nectar.

Lifestyle

Arboreal

Biome

Tropical rain forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Rapala pheretima larvae feed on young leaves from Mangifera indica, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Syzygium zeylanicum and Mallotus paniculatus.

Diet : Herbivore (larva), Nectarivore

Mating Habits

Rapala pheretima reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous), the eggs are laid separately on the leaves, stems or young shoots of the host plant. The eggs are green, shaped like a burger and the surface is covered with a reticular pattern.

Life cycle (Metamorfosis) : Rapala pheretima caterpillar passes through 5 instars before pupating, its body is covered by short lateral and dorso-lateral turbles with short setae. At the last instar, the caterpillar is yellowish green with wide, prominent yellow patches and oblique edges on the abdominal segment. The pupal phase occurs in leaf litter and lasts 10-10.5 days before becoming a butterfly. The pupa is brown with dark brown spots, the body is protected by a silk belt.

Reproduction session : –

Incubation periods: 3 days

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : –

Population

Population status : Not Evaluated (NE)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Khoon, S. 2010. A Field Guide to The Butterflies of Singapore. Ink On Paper Communications, Singapore.
  2. Tan, H. and Khoon, K.S. 2012. Caterpillars of Singapore’s Butterflies. National Park Board, Singapore.
  3. Life History of The Copper Flash article 
  4. Rapala pheretima on Wikipedia article