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Thread: An interesting, aberrant Arhopala

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  1. #1
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    Agreed it is very likely A. avathina.

    Intrestingly Fleming also list A. kurzi in Singapore.
    This also have the HW postdiscal band widely dislocated at vein 2.
    It would seem A. kurzi have a tendency for the 'V' spot to be broken into two.
    http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_vsUP_6bf3...0/DSC_0683.JPG
    This is also seen in Yutaka's specimens (Zoom to view)
    http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81926001.html

    TL Seow: Cheers.

  2. #2
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    Thanks, Dr Seow. I originally thought it was an aberrant muta/moorei but decided not because of the spot arrangement.

    I attach another shot from a different angle, this time with vein 2 obscured. I increased the contrast so that the spots are more visible. Would you still consider this avathina?
    avathina 2 cropped edited-min.jpg

    *It always landed in the most awkward positions. I had to literally climb a liana to get this shot!)
    Aaron Soh

  3. #3
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    Here's the holotype for A
    Arhopala avathina from Singapore.

    https://m.singapore.biodiversity.onl...doptera-000436

    I would still be hesitant to place Aaron's Arhopala as this species are it is just a little to worn to discern the main diagnostic features..
    cheers
    Jonathan

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    Quote Originally Posted by Banded Yeoman View Post
    This one strangely has a slightly different spot arrangement. This is getting interesting
    Aaron Soh

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    I thought the Singapore Biodiversity site have only the upperside image in my search.

    With a proper underside this doesn't match.

    C&P4 states in A. avathina the postdiscal band is completely dislocated at vein 2, not dislocated widely as here.
    The green metalmark is large & elongate & also does not match.

    The closest it come to is A. hypomuta.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopa...taFUpUnAC1.jpg


    TL Seow: Cheers.

  6. #6
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    Thanks everyone for all the input. I shall just leave this as "cf. muta" since its exact ID will probably never be determined.

    Dr Seow, the one in the wiki link seems misIDed; it should be muta
    Aaron Soh

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by atronox View Post
    Thanks everyone for all the input. I shall just leave this as "cf. muta" since its exact ID will probably never be determined.

    Dr Seow, the one in the wiki link seems misIDed; it should be muta
    You are right. The upperside is closest to A. muta female.
    I think this have been discussed before.

    A. hypomuta ;FW postdiscal spot 4 dislocated & shifted out from spots 5 & 6.
    HW with spot at base of space 6 (not always present).
    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9dabOUmO0...0/DSC_0188.JPG
    http://nlliew66butterflies.blogspot....-hewitson.html

    Note the underside HW of A. hypomuta is a fairly good match.
    The dislocation at vein 2 is wide; green metalmark long (but broken ).


    TL Seow :Cheers.

  8. #8
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    I chanced upon this shot by CJ in Panti forest (2013) and I'm certain that this is Arhopala avathina.
    http://www.butterflycircle.com/showt...013&highlight=

    The original caption:

    Arhopala ___? (Subject was really tiny)


    It meets all the criteria clearly.

    - The size description is enough to narrow it down to a muta-subgroup species.
    - HW post-discal band completely dislocated at vein 2. It can now only be muta, moorei, metamuta or avathina.
    - Sub-marginal spots dark and unsually well defined, even in this worn individual.
    - FW post-discal spots 3 and 2 more or less in line, spot 2 slightly shifted inwards compared to 3; post-discal band shape corresponding with holotype.

    The green tornal metalmark is broad but this marking is often variable.
    cheers
    Jonathan

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