Difference between Nacaduba beroe neon and Nacaduba berenice icena

[David Chan]

Dear Dr Seow,

How do we tell Nacaduba beroe neon and Nacaduba berenice icena apart? These photos are taken at Dairy Farm, Singapore.

IMG_3450v1.1.jpg

IMG_6163v1.1.jpg

Thanks a lot.

Best regards,
David Chan

[atronox]

In N. beroe, the lowermost costal spot on the forewing is usually missing. See: http://www.butterflycircle.com/showt...ighlight=beroe

[David Chan]

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for the link. So, both butterflies are male Nacaduba berenice icena, correct?

The features of the male Nacaduba berenice icena:
1. Dark striae/lines within the bands strongly developed.
2. Lowest FW costal spot present.
3. Wing bases are not darkened.

Hence, the shape of the FW apex is not a feature to help differentiate these 2 species, correct?

Thanks a lot for your help to ID the butterflies.

Best regards.

[Psyche]

Thanks Aaron for finding the link.

David , Your pix are

1.Male Nacaduba berenice .

2. Male Nacaduba kurava.

I am trying to reduce the technical terms which may confuse you.
The wingshape can be difficult to judge in field shots.


All male descriptions.

N. berenice icena .Dark lines inside the white lines strongly dark .FW main band often broken in the middle ;submarginal spots irregular or usual. FW somewhat rounded.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asOgVaEMtn...0/DSC_0217.JPG
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...hee%20Beng.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...obby%20Mun.jpg

N. calauria malayica ;dark lines inside white lines strongly dark; FW main band almost always straight; submarginal spot 4 & 5 sharply pointed;FW margin rounded.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5788/...c204e4f1_b.jpg
https://wanderingbutterflyeffect.fil...b3ad98860e.jpg

N. beroe neon: dark lines within white lines very poor or absent ; FW with the innermost spot above the innermost band always absent (almost always present in the other 3 species); FW main band usually broken in the middle;FW margin straight.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvpFxJKK7J...0/DSC_0096.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iA9V4YMtR...0/DSC_0245.JPG
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/...62cac367_b.jpg

N. kurava nemana. ;dark lines often somewhat weak; FW submarginal spots often large .blocky with rounded inner margins; FW main band typically straight; HW upper submarginal spot 6 large ;FW margin straight.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...neBlue-KSK.JPG
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...lue-SunnyC.JPG


TL Seow: Cheers.

[David Chan]

Hi Dr Seow,

Thanks for reducing the technical terms for beginners like me. I will try to slowly absorb them. Your help is really appreciated.

Best regards,
David Chan