Tongeia kala

Tongeia kala
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Tongeia
Species:
T. kala
Binomial name
Tongeia kala
Synonyms
  • Everes kala de Nicéville, 1890
  • Elkalyce kala

Tongeia kala, also known as the black cupid is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in North-east India and nearby regions. It was described by Lionel de Nicéville in 1890.[1] This species is monotypic.[2]

Description

The upperside of both wings is blackish. The forewing has an oval shaped dark-black spot. The hindwing has a series of submarginal black spots. The tail is small, black in color and tipped with white. The underside of both wings in plumbeous gray. The forewing has a series of six distinct deep black spots. The hindwing has a series of similar spots in a convex line across the wing.[1]

This species differs from Tongeia fischeri in having five sub basal spots on the hindwing.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Marshall, G. F. L. (George Frederick Leycester); Nicéville, Lionel de (1882). The butterflies of India, Burmah and Ceylon. A descriptive handbook of all the known species of rhopalocerous Lepidoptera inhabiting that region, with notices of allied species occurring in the neighbouring countries along the border; with numerous illustrations. Smithsonian Libraries. Calcutta : Central Press Co., ld.
  2. ^ "Tongeia". www.nic.funet.fi. Retrieved 2026-03-04.