An Arhopala photographed on Doi Suthep, n. Thailand, at 500 metres, this week.
Although I have other images of both Arhopala paraganesa and aberrans from north Thailand, this one differs in several respects which makes me doubtful, although I have no other suggestions for which species this might be.
The main features I note which make me doubtful are:
- the clear edge of the underside forewing costa, below the upper dark band. This area would usually be marked with a few lines and spots.
- the shape of the spots on the lower/inner area of the hindwing are rather circular. In my experience these spots would usually be more elongate.
- the pale spot on the costa of the hindwing is rather small.
I note on the upperwing (if this is a female) that there is no tooth mark which should be present on aberrans. So is this was a male paraganesa surely the blue on the hindwing would not continue to the dorsum?
Note, although the upperside shot was taken at the same time/place of the underside shots, I cannot guarantee the upperside image is the same individual, so there is a small possibility that the upperside shot in a different species, though I think not.
[An update after posting - after further searching of images on the web, might this be A. alesia? Seems a reasonable fit and gets around some of the issues mentioned above].
The upperside & underside match that of Arhopala alesia correctly.
The long palpi (labial palps) & UpF blue without the black cellend mark indicate a female.
UnF bands are darkly contrasting.
UnH spots in the basal third are rounded.
UpH blue extend to the margin in the tornal third & dorsum. http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/82350010.html
Arhopala paraganesa / aberrans / or not.
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