Skippers ID clarification in Singapore

[Psyche]

Post 106.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641821
1. Potanthus trachala. Female on the left )greyer).
Note FW spots 4 & 5 are only connected above & below by the spikes to the other.
HW upper block of the band projected outwards.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641820
2. Caltoris bromus male.

Three species have more prominent pale areas on the antennal shafts.

Caltoris bromus
FW typically with two large subapical spots ;upper cellspot also large.
HW dark brown & nearly the same tone as FW.
Female paler, with HW spots 2 & 3.
Male.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163945647


Caltoris cahira.
FW with large subapical spots (2 usually) & upper cellspot.
HW dark chocolate brown without red tone contrasting with FW.
Male.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183638559
Female.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l1dr3n_g...ris+bromus.jpg


Caltoris cormasa.
FW subapical spots small two or often three. Upper cellspot small.
HW heavily overlaid with redbrown scales.
Redder tone than in all other species.
Males.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151597328
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/162264663
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176612106
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178143673
Note subapical spots are small. Less red example.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641828
Females.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147253163
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173170595
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173170576

Caltoris malaya
Pale area on the antennae weak or none.
FW subapical spots usually two. Cellspot usually none ,ocassionally a tiny one.
male rusty brown, female more ochreous.
Male. Note front antenna no pale area.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133445751
Female.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/161212993
With a tiny upper cellspot but only on the underside.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181903883

Other confusion.
Baoris species.
FW subapical spots reduced.
Upper cellspot may be crescentic.
Antennae mostly black.
HW may have aq pale area at cellend.
[B]Abdomen noticeably banded.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165866621
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151120606

Female probably B. farri.
Full complement of spots, black antennae, banded abdomen.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153765692


Male Quedara monteithi.
No FW spot, bulging palpi (labial palps).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164372780



TL Seow: Cheers.

[sabafish]

Hi Dr Seow,

Managed to uncover this photo in my archives.

Could this be Rapala damona?

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184711958

Thank you!

[Psyche]

Post 108.

Yes. It is a female Rapala damona.

The two R. suffusa & damona are closely similar.
HW with the postdiscal band in space 1b, above the speckled patch arched or domed.
FW postdiscal band distinctly curved in toward s the costa.

Rapala suffusa.
HW speckled patch in space 1b usually occupy half or less of the marginal zone.
Orange crown in space 2 not visible, merging with the ground colour.
Males.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...h_Jonathan.jpg
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59847707
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73307440
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/30675458
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122791984
Females.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/production-...rop_x_152_.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...lash_Ellen.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-66Xxi-yYP...ash-SunnyC.png
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60172517
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59960237

Rapala damona.
HW speckled patch occupy 80% or more of the marginal zone in space 1b.
HW orange crown not well-defined, weak, obscure or not visible.
Males
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4687/...9e6a2623_c.jpg
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181903884
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183617588
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124369699
Females.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184711958
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184248821
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124682032
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184376205


TL Seow: cheers.

[sabafish]

Hi Dr Seow,

Can I check if this skipper is Parnara bada?

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188256849

Thank you!

[Psyche]

Post 110.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188256849
Yes. It is.
PARNARABB.png

Parnara species.
antennae short & the clubs thick.
UpF subapical spots 6 & 7in line; if spot 8 is present, it is usually also in line.
UnH may have a diffuse cellend spot.
UnH spot 7 is always absent.

Two known species in Singapore.


Parnra bada.
unH spots variable & may be entirely absent.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93050001.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/145116379
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/186224442
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135756671
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185704994


Parnara ganga.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93040001.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7874934
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135217962
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140252167


Probably this below is Parnara ganga.
FW spot 3 is oblong & seem nearer spot 2,( the margins of spot 2 blurry) & UnH spots relatively large.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33117386


Tl Seow: Cheers.

[sabafish]

Hi Dr Seow,

Could you help to shed light on what this Arhopala could be?

Thank you.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189320986

[Psyche]

Post 112.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189320986

This practically certain to be a female Arhopala milleri.
Note the longer palpi (labial palps) The abdominal end with a longer slant cut.
Compare with a male A. sublustris given below.



Three species recorded in Singapore are very similar & almost impossible to identify correctly.

A. sublustris is the most common
UnF postdiscal band uppermost spot 9 is typically dislocated & shifted inwards on the costal margin.
UnH spot 6 widest at the top & tapers down wards.
Male upperside bright blue, more reflective.
Female with HW brown border wide. FW blue not reaching the tornal margin, brown border being uniformly broad
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82170010.html
This is likely A. sublustris male.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189202433
See Otsuka L206.


A. milleri.
UnF postdiscal band spot 9 less dislocated ,sometime in line with the rest.
HW spot 6 as in A. sulustris
Male darkisk less reflective blue.
Female UpF blue reaches tornal margin ,HW brownish blue reaches the margin.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82160001.html
see Otsuka L207 for female.


A. normani .
UnF spot 9 slightly dislocated.
UnH spot 6 with the side margins straighter.
Male upperside darker blue than A. sublustris.
Female as in A. sublustris.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82140001.html
Otsuka L212.


If you don't have Otsuka you can get a free download.
http://www17.plala.or.jp/jamides/Bor.../borneo-e.html

It looks a perfect match.


TL Seow :Cheers.