Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: An interesting, aberrant Arhopala

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Upper Changi
    Posts
    2,873

    Default An interesting, aberrant Arhopala

    Found this very timid Arhopala today which never allowed an easy shot. It was quite small, the size of A. abseus and seems aberrant; the forewing post-discal band is completely missing.

    However, the character that stood out to me is the dislocated hindwing post-discal band at vein 2, which means this is quite likely A. avathina avathina.

    Thoughts?

    avathina best cropped edited resized-min (1).jpg
    Aaron Soh

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    6,835

    Default

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Upper Changi
    Posts
    2,873

    Default

    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    1,640

    Default

    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

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Upper Changi
    Posts
    2,873

    Default

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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    6,835

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Upper Changi
    Posts
    2,873

    Default

    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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    6,835

    Default

    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.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    1,640

    Default

    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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Malaysia
    Posts
    6,835

    Default

    post 9.

    It is not Arhopala avanthina but something equally interesting.


    The diagnostic ID for A. avanthina is that the FW basal cellspot is absent.
    In the image all three cellspots are present. ie. one at cellend, one at mid cell & the 3rd basal (actual position is sub-basal).

    Arhopala kurzi have 1. all three cellspots present, 2. HW postdiscal band widely dislocated at vein 2, & 3. FW postdiscal spot 3 (ie. in space 3) elongate towards base (variable).
    All three criteria are met here.
    https://singapore.biodiversity.onlin...doptera-000440


    TL Seow: Cheers.
    Last edited by Psyche; 24-Jul-2019 at 06:14 AM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Join us