Rapala nissa subsp. nissa, (Kollar, [1844])

7. R. nissa nissa (Kollar, [1844]) View in CoL Figs 1g View FIGURE 1 , 8 View FIGURE 8

Thecla nissa Kollar, [1844] : 412

Type locality: Mussoorie ( India)

Common Name: Common Flash Taxonomic Note: Rapala nissa from Nepal was recently split into two species, R. nissa and R. huangi Nakamura & Seki, 2017 , based on genitalia analysis and sympatry, suggesting they are widely distributed in the Himalayas, also occurring together ( Nakamura & Seki 2017, 2019). Consequently, the distributions of R. nissa , R. huangi , and R. rectivitta are now intermixed, as they cannot always be reliably distinguished from photographs alone.Additionally, Nakamura & Seki (2017) synonymized R. nissa ranta Swinhoe, 1897 , with the nominotypical subspecies, indicating that R. nissa is monotypic throughout the Himalayas.

Material Examined: NEPAL. Bagmati Province. Lalitpur. Godavari Garden, 26.iii. 1970, 1495 m, leg. C.P. Smith ( ANHM, 1♂). Bhaktapur . Bhadgaon , 12.v. 1973, 1530 m, leg. C.P. Smith ( ANHM, 1♂). Gandaki Province. Baglung . Beni , 23.vi. 1974, 855 m, leg. C.P. Smith ( ANHM, 1♂). Manang . Marshyandi River , 11.viii. 1986, 2440 m, leg. C.P. Smith ( ANHM, 1♀). Kaski. Pokhara, Kali Khola, 7.xi. 1974, 1160 m, leg. C.P. Smith ( SNHM, 1♂). INDIA. Meghalaya. Khasi Hills , MGCL 1201226 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-107 ( MGCL, 1♀). Uttarakhand. Mussoorie , 21.iii. 1917, 1680 m, leg. O.C. Ollenbach, MGCL 1206507 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-117 ( MGCL, 1♂) ( Fig. 8a View FIGURE 8 ); Mussoorie , 27.v.1912, leg. H.D. Peile, MGCL 1199852 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-99 ( MGCL, 1♀) ( Fig. 8b View FIGURE 8 ) .

Wingspan: 34–38 mm ( Van der Poel & Smetacek 2022).

Diagnosis ( Figs 8a, 8b View FIGURE 8 ): Rapala nissa can be distinguished from the similar-looking R. rectivitta by the dorsal view of the males which are purplish-blue and not iridescent when viewed at around 180° while those of R. rectivitta are deep iridescent blue even when viewed at around 180°. Likewise, R. nissa often has an orange patch on the dorsal wing which is lacking in R. rectivitta . Ventrally, the bands are lighter, often more broken, and whiter edged than in R. rectivitta . Rapala nissa closely resembles R. huangi but can be distinguished by the postdiscal line on the ventral forewing, which is mostly straight or curved inward, whereas it is mostly curved outward in R. huangi . A more reliable identification requires genitalia examination as variation exists. Discal band often has bronze color in the center; underside is variable from brown to purplish with postdiscal bands ranging from wide to narrow. Female is pale blue above.

Male Genitalia ( Figs 8c–8e View FIGURE 8 ): Aedeagus with a flat vesica that lacks serrations or claw-like cornuti; valvae short and slender with narrowed apices; cleft between the valvae less than 1/3rd the length of the valval plate.

Female Genitalia ( Fig. 8f View FIGURE 8 ): Anterior apophysis short, apically blunt; ductus bursae distal end much wider than the slender proximal portion, shaped as an anvil; corpus bursae with a longitudinal signum on either side featuring rows of strong spines inside.

Biology: The larvae are known to feed on the flowers of Rosa spp. ( Kehimkar 2008), Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. ( Robinson et al. 2023), and possibly on the flowers of Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don ( Wynter-Blyth 1957). Potential oviposition has been observed on Rubus ellipticus Sm. and on an unknown fern species by the first author in central Nepal.

Natural History: Adults are typically found in open landscapes, woodlands, and on flowers ( Van der Poel & Smetacek 2022).

Variation: Variation primarily occurs in the width of the postdiscal bands, which can range from wide, resembling double bands, to narrow, appearing as a single band, thereby aligning with both the varuna and pheretima groups. The color of the ventral wings may range from brown to purplish. The postdiscal bands on the ventral forewing may occasionally curve outward, as seen in R. huangi .

Phenology in Nepal: January to December ( Van der Poel & Smetacek 2022).

Elevation: 670– 3,000 m ( Smith 1994; Van der Poel & Smetacek 2022).

Distribution on the Indian Subcontinent: Pakistan, northwestern and northeastern India, Nepal, and Bhutan ( Van Gasse 2018).

Distribution in Nepal: Throughout Nepal, except for Bagmati Province (excluding the Kathmandu Valley) ( Van der Poel & Smetacek 2022) but doubtless present.