Celaenorrhinus patula or C. putra?

[DaveChiangMai]

From mid elevation forest of nw Thailand. Two photos of different individuals, assumed to be the same species.

The literature on the separation of these two species is confusing. Kimura states that wing shape is different, but images on Yutaka show variation between male and female. Kimura also states males of both species have white antennae, but doesn't mention females.

The two additional spots in the forewing apex should rule out male putra, and the white antennae I think implies a male. Also the prominence of the yellow spotting in the hindwing hints these two should be patula? But I am not confident in the best features for separation.

Comments gratefully received.

409A0780.JPG

409A1036.JPG

[Psyche]

Three species are very similar & their appearances overlap.

I will described the three based on Evans' Hesperiidae Catalogue.

C. patula; Male antennal club & shaft white ;female shaft usually brown but may also be shaded white.
Abdomen striped.
FW not produced; FW dorsum (lower margin) > termen (outer/distal margin).
HW cilia broadly yellow , chequered at the veins.
Typical WSF with large spots in space 4 to 8; DSF with smaller peripheral spots; HW spots orange; band not extended above radius.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sp...rrhinus-patula
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/90460001.html

C. leucoceras. Male antenna white; female with the shaft brown.
Abdomen unstriped.
FW notproduced ie. dorsum > termen.
HW cilia white basally yellow , chequered.
FW band usually extend above the radius.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/90470001.html
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sp...inus-leucocera

C. putra.: Male antenna white ;female with the shaft brown.
abdomen unstriped.
FW produced ie FW dorsum = termen, giving both sexes a more pointy FW shape.
HW cilia brown or chequered whitish & brown.
FW band not continued above radius. ; small upper spot in space 1b at outer corner of spot 2.


Unfortunately it is difficult to determine if the abdomen is striped or unstriped above. Below all appeared to be striped.

Typical C. patula note striped abdomen.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...9dfbcbc3-1.jpg

Typical C. leucoceras ; Unstriped abdomen in female.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...83f5bfab-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...gale_ah376.jpg

Typical C. putra ;Unstriped abdomen.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...9424190283.jpg

[Psyche]

Abdominal stripes unreliable.
Judging from the wingshape.

1 is C. patula .More rounded FW , dorsum longer than termen.. small upper spot in space 1b tucked under spot 2.

2. C. putra ;FW more sharply pointed; dorsum = termen. ;small upper spot in space 1b placed at outer corner ( stick out more).


TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the details. Even more difficult than I thought.