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Thread: Request for Skipper ID

  1. #1
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    Default Request for Skipper ID

    I'm currently surveying the butterfly diversity in a few Singapore parks and I need some help with ID please.
    Thanks in advance!

    Here are two unidentified skippers:
    1)
    DF P3A 20120622(37 of 81) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr
    2)
    DF P3A 20120622(20 of 81) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr

  2. #2
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    You certainly start off with two very difficult ones.

    1. This have 3 subapical spots, one in space 4; an upper cellspot & hint of a large lower cellspot; very dark colour.
    None in the current checklist match these.
    The only match is Caltoris cahira, Dark Swift (sometimes Colon Swift)(Deep purplebrown suggest C. brunnea but this is large),
    You have probably found something new.
    (2nd Thought: There is too much blue in the colour rendition here and this is likely to be the Fullstop Swift (C. cormasa).

    2. Very worn; no marking seen; forewing with long fold line; hindwing inner margin folded over & protruding indicating a prominent lobe.
    The one which will fit these 2 features is the Small Branded Swift Pelopidas mathias,, & it is most likely this skipper.

    TL Seow
    Last edited by Psyche; 20-Jul-2012 at 07:28 AM. Reason: 2nd Thought

  3. #3
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    Thank you Dr Seow!
    Yes I have the most trouble with Skipper ID.
    Here are three more photos of Skippers (1&2 might be the same):
    1)

    TEG P3A 20120627(103 of 111) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr

    2)
    TEG P1B 20120215(30 of 33) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr


    3)
    SBG P1B 20120315(11 of 40) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr

  4. #4
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    Default

    Zestin,

    Moving this thread here for archival reason.

    Cheers!
    Sunny

    ~~When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going~~

    Sunny's Facebook on Butterflies!

    ~

  5. #5
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    These are easy enough.

    ! & 2 Female Contiguous Swift (Polytremis lubricans).

    3. Male Small Branded Swift (Pelopidas mathias)
    (Correction2: This should be female; the abdomnal tip is pointed. The slightly head-on view have caused the head & body to appeared very stout.)

    Your post 1 no. 2 is probably not P. mathias as its built looks too slender.
    ( Correction: It is probably a very worn female P. mathias.)

    TL Seow
    Last edited by Psyche; 20-Jul-2012 at 01:20 PM. Reason: correction 2

  6. #6
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    Default

    Thanks Sunny! I wasn't sure which part of the forum to request for ID.

    And thanks again for the quick reply Dr Seow. So that means: 1, 2 & 3 are all small-branded swifts right?
    Cheers,
    Zestin

  7. #7
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    Post 1 (almost certain.)
    1 Fullstop Swift.
    2 Small Branded Swift (actually 2 spots can be seen on the forewing).

    Post 3
    1 & 2 Contiguous Swift.
    3. Small Branded Swift (The head & body appeared large because of the perspective distortion from the slightly frontal shot.)

    TL Seow

  8. #8
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    Thanks again Dr Seow.
    Here are 3 more, including one non-skipper:
    A)
    DF P3B 20120622(13 of 38) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr

    B)
    Dairy Farm P1B 20120217(9 of 24) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr

    C)
    BTP P3A 20120503(29 of 66) by ZestinSoh, on Flickr
    Cheers,
    Zestin

  9. #9
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    Post 8

    1. Fullstop Swift (Caltoris cormasa; usually a single cellspot( not seen here) thus a fullstop.)
    This species is more rusty redbrown on the underside than other Caltoris spp.

    2. Common Caerulean ( Jamides celeno. )

    3. Small Branded Swift.(Pelopidas mathias (hindwing torn.)

    Without wanting to create more confusion, I am leaving Post 1. pic 2. Post 3 pic 3 & post 8 pic 3, as the Small Branded Swift.
    However I think it is much more likely all 3 are the Little Branded Swift (Pelopidas agna ).
    The difference is that the Small Branded Swift is grey-tinged or shaded on the underside.
    All three here whether worn or not do not show the grey tinge.

    Here is a male Small Branded Swift showing the grey tinge.
    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0EK80AsaR7...BS-Skipper.jpg

    You have one which shows this grey colouration & is correctly the Small Branded Swift.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/8004586...n/photostream/

    The Little Branded Swift is pending verification & validation.

    TL Seow
    PS. Another of Federick's male P. mathias with a more neutral colour setting for comparison.
    http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1009/1...2f6d1ceb1a.jpg
    Last edited by Psyche; 21-Jul-2012 at 04:51 PM. Reason: PS add. image

  10. #10
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    Thank you so much for all the help Dr Seow! (:
    Cheers,
    Zestin

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