ID help needed for Skipper (7 Nov 2021)

[Blue Nawab]

Dear Dr Seow,
Pls help with the ID for the following Palm Dart, thanks!

S42.jpg

[Psyche]

Male Telicota besta bina.

The four species in Singapore can be separated thus.

Telicota colon.
FW spots 4 & 5 in a staggered position, ie their margins are not aligned.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eLc88wwH...Telicota03.jpg


The other three have FW spots 4 & 5 with their margins fully overlapping.


Telicota augias.
More uniformly rich orange including the face. Male brand large .
HW veins not dark, & band does not stand out from the ground.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp7OPF_eJ6...as-augias).jpg
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.ama...peg?1601804250
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6riT3uzrel...ias_male_1.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3LkExqbZs...ias_male_2.jpg



The greatest confusion is between T, linna & besta.


Telicota linna.
Face & lower part of body especially abdomen paler.
HW veins not dark dusted.
Heavier diffuse black spots & darker shadings especially HW basal area.
https://alchetron.com/cdn/telicota-6...resize-750.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxufm6yxw...TL_male_02.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aMywOHZI...TL_male_03.jpg


Telicota besta.
Only the face is noticeably paler than the wings.
HW veins may be lightly dark-dusted, & prominently raised.
Ground colour clearer, & HW black edgings narrower, neater & more defined.
https://alchetron.com/cdn/telicota-d...esize-750.jpeg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca88...6SU4BBv955Th6Y
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rRXJdPYo...ed_male_01.jpg



A fourth species Telicota ohara could possibly be found, especially in the northern islands.
Telicota ohara.
HW band with inner margin almost straight, ie without the step/notch .
https://nlliew66butterflies.blogspot...jix-evans.html


Telicota bambusae has not been recorded in P. Malaysia or Singapore. Correction: There seem recent records in P. Malaysia.
Common in the north, India .
Veins not dark & only face paler.
Heavier spots in wsf.
Resembles T. linna (FW 19mm), but smaller (FW 15mm) with shorter FW ,& ground colour clean & clear.Topmost spot inner margin sharp pointed.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...845e417d-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...845e417d-3.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...70e022d4-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...70e022d4-3.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/me...0d227eeb-2.jpg



TL Seow: Cheers.

PS. Most Telicotas are misidentified.