What is silver butterfly?

Silver butterfly (Heliophorus epicles) is a species of butterfly that belongs to the family Lycaenidae. It is commonly found in the Himalayan regions, from Pakistan to Bhutan, at elevations ranging from 1,830 to 4,000 meters.

The wings of the silver butterfly have a brilliant metallic silver-blue color that is iridescent and changes with the angle of light that hits them. The undersides of the wings are light brown and have a number of black spots and markings. The wingspan of the butterfly ranges from 2 to 2.4 cm.

The silver butterfly primarily feeds on nectar from flowers such as Lantana, Eupatorium, and Taraxacum. The larvae of the butterfly feed on the leaves of plants in the family Berberidaceae. In order to avoid predators, the butterfly is known to mimic the coloration and behavior of other butterflies, such as the Common Blue butterfly.

The silver butterfly is considered to be a threatened species due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as over-collection for commercial purposes. Conservation efforts, such as the protection of its natural habitat and the breeding of the butterfly in captivity, are being made to prevent further decline of the species.