ID help please

[Psyche]

Post 26.

1a. This is probably female Potanthus ganda.
FW shape termen rounded; FW cell with wider black 'hole.
UnF spot 4 overlapping spot 3. Veins across FW spots not black dusted.

1b Male Potanthus trachala. FW spot 4 & 5 without overlap above & below them; spots with concave margins; abdominal end black-banded.
P. trachala male.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yzw2AzY2du...perside_01.jpg
Two females.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzPOcxjK2F...0/DSC_0246.JPG
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prXDPS1KR...0/DSC_0073.JPG
Female UnH showing spot 4 have no overlap with spot 3.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...us_male_01.jpg

2. This is quite difficult but since most of the veins appeared to be lightly black-dusted I leave it as P. omaha.
The gemeral orangey appearance suggest P. ganda.
P. omaha ;dull ochreous yellow ; veins darkened including on the FW.
Males ; pair- female on the right.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...obby%20Mun.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...drick%20Ho.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJRazQaHR5...0/DSC_0005.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SeSVvRKmjX...thus+omaha.jpg

P. ganda: More orangey; veins not or slightly dark-dusted; usually darker heavier shadings.
2 males & 1 female.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ap54Ani6S...tanthus-sp.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1T4ajMPu...25286%2529.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht4NZzQND..._underside.jpg

Post 27.

3 & 6 Mycalesis mineus ; Indentation formed by HW ocelli triahgle skewed upwards.

4 & 5. Mycalesis perseus :indentation formed by HW ocelli wider & deeper ;HW lower 4 spots out of line.; FW spots often in an arc.

7. Ypthima horsfieldii ;whiter ground ; separated spots; spot 2 & 3 more level with the space 1b spots.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

Thanks for the IDs Dr Seow!

As for the Potanthus species, lighting conditions and post processing differences can really affect the colour of these yellowish-orange butterflies. One quick adjustment could make the skipper more yellow or more orange. To further the confusion, different screens and monitors display colours differently. The use of the "redness" as a characteristic for identifying P. ganda has to be supplementary only... Checking whether the upperside veins are dark dusted or not seems to me a more concrete ID key.

I noticed that photographs of P. omaha showing strong dark dusting on the underside veins are often of more worn individuals. Perhaps the wear and tear also adds to the darkened veins. The Potanthus no. 2 (post 26) was very fresh and his could explain the lighter veins.

Just out of curiosity, when dealing with Potanthus, would you say that the upperside features are more conclusive in determining the species?

[Psyche]

Thanks for the IDs Dr Seow!

As for the Potanthus species, lighting conditions and post processing differences can really affect the colour of these yellowish-orange butterflies. One quick adjustment could make the skipper more yellow or more orange. To further the confusion, different screens and monitors display colours differently. The use of the "redness" as a characteristic for identifying P. ganda has to be supplementary only... Checking whether the upperside veins are dark dusted or not seems to me a more concrete ID key.

I noticed that photographs of P. omaha showing strong dark dusting on the underside veins are often of more worn individuals. Perhaps the wear and tear also adds to the darkened veins. The Potanthus no. 2 (post 26) was very fresh and his could explain the lighter veins.

Just out of curiosity, when dealing with Potanthus, would you say that the upperside features are more conclusive in determining the species?

Yes the colour is often very confusing in photos, but when it comes to skippers every little details help.
In thr case of P. ganda it is less likely for it to be as pale & dull as in P. omaha, while many omahas appeared too orange.

Here is a fresh P. omaha showing the darkened veins.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...se_site_01.jpg

The upperiside can also be confusing.
Typical P. omaha with darkened HW veins.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...20Tan%20CP.jpg
https://www.nss.org.sg/gallery_image...107_resize.jpg

Typical P. ganda.
Bred by Horace.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEQvLGTcj...lt_BTVC_01.jpg

Probable P. ganda
http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/...LmpwZw==/?ref=
There are actually many examples where the veins are just a little black dusted & you are not sure if it is due to abrasion.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

I was just telling Aaron about how none of my shots of Mycalesis have turned out to be Mycalesis visala... Though I'm certain I've photographed it before.

*Aaron, you also told me that I'd know it when I see it. I believe this recent shot may be it.

ID as Mycalesis visala phamis

[Psyche]

In Singapore this has largely been left as M. visala ,but it has an intermediate look, suggesting a hybrid element.
It will nice to check the upperside to ascertain its proper ID.

True M. visala have the HW inner margins of the ocelli form a more regular indentation; the dark line less spiky.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4MxrattNb...lt_Loke_01.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...lson%20Ong.jpg

M. perseoides have the indentaion formed by the inner margins of the ocelli large & rather irregular; the dark line very spiky; the 'tooth' at the lower end may sometimes be 'flattened'.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...20-%20Khew.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...ederick_01.jpg

On the upperside FW the ocellus is large & clear.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

Thanks Dr Seow! I'll be sure to get an upperside shot next time.. For now, I'll leave this is as a typical M. visala.

[atronox]

Interesting. Previously i would've thought such individuals with the whitened area between the ocelli and submarginal bands were visala