The
males of this
Arhopala species have forewings with a rather acute
apex, unlike the usual Arhopala wing shape. However, the females
possess the usual Arhopala characteristics in having rounded forewings.
The male of Arhopala aurea is a bright coppery green above with
a slight basal bluish scaling. The hindwing border is broad and irregular
and the green scaling does not reach the termen.
The female is purple-blue above
in the usual Arhopala fashion. Both sexes have short stumpy
tails with tornal green scales. Arhopala aurea, and another
closely related species, Arhopala trogon are reported to be less
uncommon in Singapore than on mainland Malaysia. Indeed, this is
still the case, as the species are still evident in certain parts of the
nature reserves even as recent as November 2001.
|