Pygmy Posy or dwaf Common Posy?

[itsmemei]

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!

[itsmemei]

This is a Pygmy Posy I shot back in 2017, the hind wing apex, between V6 and V7 is black in colour.

[Psyche]

It is a male dwarf Common Posy.
If the upperside HW have blue metallic scales ,that is already diagnostic.

D. ravindra :Orange deeper, more extensive;eg FW between basal band & mid-cell bar & HW in space 6 ; Male termen straighter. HW orange band reaching to about vein 2.
Labial palps (palpi) about 2/3 black.
Male & female.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/...22b7c1cc_b.jpg
https://wanderingbutterflyeffect.fil...729ce5860e.jpg

D. rufotaenia; FW orange dull ochreous; FW basally white reaching near to mid-cell bar; HW space 6 white ;Male termen rounded. HW orange band reaching vein 3 or more in male, less in female.
Labial palps about half black.
Male & female.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...gmy-Posy)1.jpg
https://a4.pbase.com/g9/25/686825/2/...5.UB5RQfy4.jpg

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.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[itsmemei]

Thanks for the input, Dr Seow! It's interesting to know that there's a possibility of genetic introgression between these 2 species.

[atronox]

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

[itsmemei]

True, Aaron, luckily this was a male.