About Bibasis gomata (Moore, 1865)
This species of butterfly, Bibasis gomata (Moore, 1865), commonly known as the pale green awlet, has a wingspan ranging from 50 to 55 mm. A detailed 1891 description by Edward Yerbury Watson distinguishes male and female individuals as follows. For males: the upperside is pale vinaceous brown, with both wings bearing pale brownish yellow longitudinal streaks between the veins. The abdomen is blackish brown with yellowish bands, and the cilia are yellowish. The underside is dark brown, with the veins and longitudinal streaks between the veins coloured greyish green; brown is only visible along each side of the veins. The posterior margin of the forewing is broadly pale vinaceous, and the exterior margin of both wings is outlined by a brown line. The third joint of the palpi and the edge of the sides are brown, while all other parts are yellow. The thorax, legs, and underside of the abdomen are orange yellow. For females: wing expanse measures 2.3 inches. The upperside is very dark glossy bronzy green, fading to glossy indigo-blue at the apex and outer margin. The markings and ground colour on the underside are darker than those of Sikkim males. The forewing has a pale green spot in the second median interspace, and a larger pale green spot in the interspace below it; in males, these spots are merged into a large patch of ochreous ground colour extending from the inner margin. Green markings across the body are more restricted and darker in shade than they are in males. The pale green awlet’s range covers India, Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, and the Indonesian archipelago. Within India, it can be found in South India as far north as North Kanara, and along the Himalayas from Sikkim to Assam, continuing eastwards into Myanmar. The species’ type locality is Darjeeling, in northern West Bengal.
