Baoris species?

[horace2264]

Shot this fairly large skipper at TBHP. At first thought it was the Small Branded Swift, but its size and absence of spots on the hindwing rule this possibility out.
After checking C&P4 plates, I think it is likely one of the Baoris species. I would appreciate a confirmation or alternative ID suggestion on this skipper.

Horace

[Commander]

Definitely not a Baoris. The Paintbrush Swifts (common name for Baoris spp.) are much darker brown and smaller. What you should is either the Great Swift (Pelopidas assamensis), or the Conjoined Swift (Pelopidas conjunctus conjunctus).

Though it's rather worn out and tattered, the size as you've elaborated, suggests more of the Great Swift, and it's been observed before at TBHP and also AH.

By the way, the underside spots for most of these species are rather variable from none at all, to a full complement of spots, so they're not a reliable characteristic for ID'ing these buggers.

[horace2264]

Thanks, Khew for the ID clarification.
ID'ing a skipper has always been difficult for me, thus the needs for experts' advice.

Horace

[Commander]

It's not easy for me either. The Hesperiidae is one family that requires a lot more work than the others.