Dacalana cotys, the white-banded royal [1] is a species of blue butterfly (Lycaenidae) found in South East Asia.
The butterfly occurs in India from Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh. eastwards and across to northern Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar.[2] and Thailand.[1] [3]
The butterfly was previously classified as Pratapa cotys,[3] Ancema cotys[4] and Camana cotys.[5]
Not common as per Wynter-Blyth.[6] Not rare as per Evans.[3]
The butterfly has a wingspan of 33 to 37 mm.
The upperside of the male is a bright azure blue with a black border at the apex ranging from 0.5 to 5 mm at the apex. On the hindwing is a mid-costal white patch. The male has a brand on the upperside of the forewing. The female is paler with a prominent white patch at the end cell of the forewing.
On the underside, the butterfly has a white band on a pale-brown background which broadens towards the costa and dorsum. There is a lot of seasonal variation in the band width.[7]
It is mostly seen in wooded slopes of Himalaya. They are confined to forested area, often in the upper canopy. Males are often seen mud-puddling.[2]
. W.H. . William Harry Evans . The Identification of Indian Butterflies . 2nd . Mumbai, India . . 1932 . 279, ser no H59.2 .
. Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth . Butterflies of the Indian Region . 1957 . Bombay, India . . 978-8170192329 . 338 .
. W.H. . William Harry Evans . The Identification of Indian Butterflies . 2nd . Mumbai, India . . 1932 .
. Mark Alexander Wynter-Blyth . Butterflies of the Indian Region . 1957 . Bombay, India . . 978-8170192329 .