Skipper ID request

[LJK1410]

Hi Dr Seow,

Which Telicota sp. are these? Are they both T. besta?
1.
Besta Palm Dart (4).jpg

2.
Telicota sp. 2.jpeg

[Psyche]

They are both Telicota besta male.

Do not be confused by the colour in photos as much depends on the white balance.

Here is a review.

T. colon male :FW spots staggered, ie not in line; spots 4 & 5 often distorted.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRfNeV5wQ...t-LemonTea.jpg


T. augias male; Always a uniform deep orange including face; FW spots 4 & 5 equal; HW veins not dark-dusted.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp7OPF_eJ6...as-augias).jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6riT3uzrel...ias_male_1.jpg


T. linna male: FW spots 4 & 5 equal; HW veins not darken ;ground colour dusky; Face & lower abdomen pale.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79Gj7N-1G...TL_male_01.jpg
https://alchetron.com/cdn/telicota-6...resize-750.jpg


T. besta male; FW spots 4 & 5 equal; HW veins strongly raised & may be lightly darken; only face paler.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcRIOq2iv...t_male_-04.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaQyq4Qv0D...B_adult_01.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFTJK1e_eF...C_0409-001.JPG


T. bambusae .I am unsure if this occur in Singapore.
Continental specise but feed on common grasses such as rice, bamboo, maize & sugar cane.
Small species FW 15mm, compare with T besta 17-20mm.
FW spots 4 & 5 equal .FW short & spots wide; HW veins not darken.face paler.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/maanay/50385196348
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...B_DSC_3871.jpg




TL Seow: Cheers.

[LJK1410]

Thank you Dr Seow!

[LJK1410]

Hi Dr Seow,

Would require some help with the IDs.

1. Telicota besta?
aaaa.jpeg

2. Is it possible to ID with just the upper wing shot? Did not get a chance to shoot the undersides. Size wise, it was quite large, definitely larger than the typical Pelopidas. Could it be Pelopidas assamensis?
great swift....jpeg

[Psyche]

Post 4.

1. Female Telicota besta . Note longer bodyshape.


2. Pelopidas conjunctus. ? female.


P. mathias FW 16-18mm.;FW spots whitish.
Subapical spots usually not in an arc.
Female with extra small upper spot in space 1b just below spot 2.
FW cellspots small; a line drawn thru them moves close or cut the large lower triangular spot in space 1b.
Female.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8ydI8r9_...perside_01.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYsLtkDVM...perside_02.jpg


P. agna Larger FW 17-20mm. FW spots whitish.
Subapical spots usually not in an arc.
Female with extra upper space 1b spot.
FW cellspot small; a line drawn thru them moves away from the larger lower space 1b spot.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check..._female_02.jpg


Pelopidas conjunctus. Large FW 21- 23mm. FW spots yellowish; HW spots whitish.
FW subapical spots in an arc.
Female without the extra small upper space 1b spot.
Male without a brand but with a space 1b spot.
Male & female.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FvDO3Lfw_...lt_Khew_03.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3O1nQxBf...lt_Khew_01.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qmzp-Y5H8...mesChia_01.jpg


Pelopidas assamensis Very large .FW 23 - 27mm.
All spots white, the FW ones large & prominent.
Male without a brand but with a space 1b spot.
Antennae with broad white band.
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/1/1/1104




TL Seow: Cheers.

[LJK1410]

Thank you again Dr Seow!