Rapala iarbus is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 3.3 - 4.1 cm. / 1.3 - 1.6 “ that is found across India except in the arid regions of Northwest and Northeast, and in South and Southeast Asia.
   Their preferred terrain is rainforests and the edge of nature reserves as well as moist evergreen and deciduous forests.
   They are often seen visiting flowers and sunbathing with their wings spread open in the afternoon heat.
    The male is a bright scarlet red with a black apical area above, while the female is a drab brown.   
   The ventral side is gray with the usual Rapala striations on both wings.
   The hindwings feature a white tipped filamentous tail at vein 2.
   Potential predators include birds, spiders, predatory insects and lizards.