Rapala huangi, Nakamura & Seki, 2017

Kc, Sajan, Poel, Piet Van Der, Pariyar, Surendra, Sunar, Aman & Limbu, Mahendra Singh, 2025, A review of the genus Rapala Moore, 1881 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) of Nepal with insights on little-known species, Zootaxa 5692 (1), pp. 31-56 : 46-47

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.1.2
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8C3FC947-BE0C-41E0-9215-D2B9AFEDADC0
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0387897B-966A-4237-FF3B-FC333798FF51
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Rapala huangi
status

Treatment

8. R. huangi Nakamura & Seki, 2017 Figs 1h View FIGURE 1 , 10 View FIGURE 10

Rapala huangi Nakamura & Seki, 2017: 7

Type locality: Godavari ( Nepal)

Proposed Common Name: Round-banded Flash

Material Examined: INDIA. Meghalaya. Shillong , 4.iii.1945, leg. R . E. Parsons, MGCL 1201227 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-88 ( MGCL, 1♂); Khasi Hills , vi.1893, MGCL 1201840 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-95 ( MGCL, 1♂) ( Fig. 10a View FIGURE 10 ); same data, MGCL 1201841 , Genitalic Vial KW-24-96 ( MGCL, 1♀) ( Fig. 10b View FIGURE 10 ); same locality, v.1986 ( MGCL, 1♂); same locality, 1967 ( MGCL, 1♂); Cherrapunji , 10.iv.1942, leg. R . E. Parsons ( MGCL, 1♀). Uttarakhand. Nainital ( Kumaon), Bhimtal , 24.iii.1983, leg. F. Smetacek ( MGCL, 1♂) .

Wingspan: 32–39 mm ( Nakamura & Seki 2017).

Diagnosis ( Figs 10a, 10b View FIGURE 10 ): Rapala huangi can be distinguished from the similar-looking R. nissa by the ventral postdiscal band on the forewing, which is noticeably curved outward rather than curved inward or straight. However, accurate identification requires a genitalia analysis, where the aedeagus bears a vesica laterally extending on both sides and sclerotized cornuti shaped like a pair of sharp claws, similar to those in R. selira but much thinner ( Nakamura & Seki 2017). In females, the distal end of the ductus bursae is only slightly wider than the proximal part ( Nakamura & Seki 2019).

Male Genitalia ( Figs 10c–10e View FIGURE 10 ): Aedeagus with a rounded vesica that extends to both sides and has minute serrations laterally; a pair of sclerotized cornuti as in R. selira but much thinner; valvae short and slender with narrowed apices; cleft between the valvae about 1/3rd the length of the valval plate.

Female Genitalia ( Fig. 10f View FIGURE 10 ): Anterior apophysis short; ductus bursae distal portion not as enlarged than the proximal portion as in R. nissa and has a slightly convex outer margin; corpus bursae with a longitudinal signum on either side featuring rows of strong spines inside.

Biology: Potentially similar to R. nissa .

Natural History: Similar to R. nissa .

Variation: Variation mostly occurs in the width of the postdiscal bands, which can range from wide, resembling double bands, to narrow, resembling a single band. The color of the ventral wings may range from brown to purplish.

Phenology in Nepal: April to July (personal observations; Nakamura & Seki 2017, 2019).

Elevation: ca. 1000–2000 m ( Nakamura & Seki 2017, 2019).

Distribution on the Indian Subcontinent: Northwestern and northeastern India, Nepal, potentially Bhutan. Distribution in Nepal: Recorded from Dadeldhura, Kaski, Lalitpur, and Makawanpur districts ( Nakamura &

Seki 2017). Potentially sympatric with R. nissa across its distribution range.