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Thread: ID confirmation please

  1. #1
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    Default ID confirmation please

    Dear Dr Seow,

    Kindly confirm this is Mutal Oakblue (Arhopala muta maranda).

    Thanks,

    Regards
    Cheng Ai


    DSC_1844 (1) (2) Resized.jpg
    Last edited by chengailim; 24-Sep-2019 at 11:04 PM.

  2. #2
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    Default

    It is not possible to separate Arhopala muta from A. moorei based on the underside.
    They have similar genitalia & were thus in the past considered as possibly one species.

    Mutal Oakblue is I think a name from the Thai Checklist.

    The word muta in Latin means change & refers to the changeable colour of the wings.
    Derived English words include mutate, mutable & mutation.

    There is no English word 'mutal'.

    TL Seow: Cheers.
    Last edited by Psyche; 25-Sep-2019 at 07:05 PM.

  3. #3
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    Default

    Dr Seow,

    Thank you for your prompt reply.

    I understand that the A moorei may have been sighted in the Central Catchment Reservoir area.
    My apologies that I am totally new and know very little about Arhopalas. They are rather challenging species. How then do we differentiate both these Arhopalas if I should encounter the species again?

    By the way, I got the common name of the A. muta, ie Mutal Oakblue from Khew's Butterflies of Singapore book.

    Regards,
    Cheng Ai

  4. #4
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    Default

    I don't recall any confirmed sighting of A. moorei from Singapore... Did I miss something haha
    cheers
    Jonathan

  5. #5
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    Default

    Yes, Jonathan. There is no definite confirmation of A moorei sightings.

    I am just curious how both are differentiated if I should see these Arhopalas in future. My understanding from website search seemed to suggest that the colours of the upperside are indicators for differentiation.

    Regards,
    Cheng Ai

  6. #6
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    Default

    All three species A. muta, moorei & metamuta were recorded from Singapore.

    A. metamuta male has the greatest contrast between FW & HW. If you get a flying shot with differently coloured FWs & HWs it is most likely to be this.
    On the FW underside if raised high, spot 2 & 3 are fully in line , in muta & moorei these two spots are partially dislocated between them.
    http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81950001.html
    This is labelled A. muta but FW spots 2 & 3 their margins are in line.
    https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-conte...1-1080x720.jpg


    A. muta is also like A. metamuta but less contrasted & the HW reflects paler blue sometimes only at an angle.
    The female is uniform purple blue.
    http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81930010.html
    http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81930020.html

    A. moorei does not have the reflective change in both sexes.
    http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81940010.html

    Is there a possible way to differentiate between the two from the undersides, let alone even the upperside is tough enough.

    Possibly this may work.

    1. A. metamuta; UnH spot 6 quadrate & relatively narrow; FW spot 2 & 3 in line (diagnostic).

    2. UnH spot 6 large ;FW spots 2 & 3 partially dislocated between them.

    A. muta; HW spot 6 large & rounded.
    http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...blue-TanBJ.jpg
    https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/A...iMFUpUnAC1.jpg
    http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...e-HoraceT2.jpg

    A. moorei ;UnH spot 6 with more angular margins.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopa...iMFUpUnAC1.jpg
    https://singapore.biodiversity.onlin...0441?imageId=1


    TL Seow: Cheers.
    Last edited by Psyche; 25-Sep-2019 at 09:44 PM.

  7. #7
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    Default

    Thank you so much Dr Seow, for the detailed explanations. It is much appreciated!

    Regards
    Cheng Ai

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