This fella which resembles a Common Posy, was seen sunbathing close by a male Common Posy at USR yesterday. Its size is small just like a Pygmy Posy, the upper side is exactly like a male Common Posy. The submarginal orange band is extended to vein 3 and the 2 black lines at the dorsum are touching, I understand that these 2 are features of a Pygmy? However, the hind wing apex, between V6 and V7 is orange. What I understand is this part of the Pygmy should be black in colour?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
The FW here is typical D. ravindra.:HW orange band only have a few orange scales beyond vein 2 ;The black bands forming a 'V' is a result of the small size & the markings becoming close.
There may be some gene introgression from crossing. Animals do not differentiate between the concept of species. If they can mate they will mate. The progeny is left to us humans to decide what are
they.
Nice intermediate one! The blue male immediately excludes rufotaenia. If this was female then things would be more complicated. I dunno why i keep seeing intermediates but never rufotaenia
I would add that for rufotaenia, the outer edge of space 6 on the hindwing is always devoid of orange scales (in the male, slight orange dusting in the female). In ravindra the orange scaling in this space is always more extensive.
So a combination of all the previously mentioned characteristics will have to be taken into account for identification
Yup, Aaron, that was what I noticed in the drupadia in the first pic, the orange scaling on the outer edge of HW space 6 is extensive but its mini size and the 2 black bands forming a 'V' got me confused of the ID... but that was before I came to know that both M and F of the rufotaenia are actually brown on the upperside! :P :P
Now the question is...are these intermediates a result of genetic introgression between these 2 species
Pygmy Posy or dwarf Common Posy?
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