An interesting, aberrant Arhopala

[atronox]

Found this very timid Arhopala today which never allowed an easy shot. It was quite small, the size of A. abseus and seems aberrant; the forewing post-discal band is completely missing.

However, the character that stood out to me is the dislocated hindwing post-discal band at vein 2, which means this is quite likely A. avathina avathina.

Thoughts?

avathina best cropped edited resized-min (1).jpg

[Psyche]

Agreed it is very likely A. avathina.

Intrestingly Fleming also list A. kurzi in Singapore.
This also have the HW postdiscal band widely dislocated at vein 2.
It would seem A. kurzi have a tendency for the 'V' spot to be broken into two.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_vsUP_6bf3...0/DSC_0683.JPG
This is also seen in Yutaka's specimens (Zoom to view)
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81926001.html

TL Seow: Cheers.

[atronox]

Thanks, Dr Seow. I originally thought it was an aberrant muta/moorei but decided not because of the spot arrangement.

I attach another shot from a different angle, this time with vein 2 obscured. I increased the contrast so that the spots are more visible. Would you still consider this avathina?
avathina 2 cropped edited-min.jpg

*It always landed in the most awkward positions. I had to literally climb a liana to get this shot!)

[Banded Yeoman]

Here's the holotype for A
Arhopala avathina from Singapore.

https://m.singapore.biodiversity.onl...doptera-000436

I would still be hesitant to place Aaron's Arhopala as this species are it is just a little to worn to discern the main diagnostic features..

[atronox]

https://m.singapore.biodiversity.onl...doptera-000436

This one strangely has a slightly different spot arrangement. This is getting interesting

[Psyche]

I thought the Singapore Biodiversity site have only the upperside image in my search.

With a proper underside this doesn't match.

C&P4 states in A. avathina the postdiscal band is completely dislocated at vein 2, not dislocated widely as here.
The green metalmark is large & elongate & also does not match.

The closest it come to is A. hypomuta.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopa...taFUpUnAC1.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[atronox]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I shall just leave this as "cf. muta" since its exact ID will probably never be determined.

Dr Seow, the one in the wiki link seems misIDed; it should be muta

[Psyche]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I shall just leave this as "cf. muta" since its exact ID will probably never be determined.

Dr Seow, the one in the wiki link seems misIDed; it should be muta

You are right. The upperside is closest to A. muta female.
I think this have been discussed before.

A. hypomuta ;FW postdiscal spot 4 dislocated & shifted out from spots 5 & 6.
HW with spot at base of space 6 (not always present).
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9dabOUmO0...0/DSC_0188.JPG
http://nlliew66butterflies.blogspot....-hewitson.html

Note the underside HW of A. hypomuta is a fairly good match.
The dislocation at vein 2 is wide; green metalmark long (but broken ).


TL Seow :Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

I chanced upon this shot by CJ in Panti forest (2013) and I'm certain that this is Arhopala avathina.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/showt...013&highlight=

The original caption:

Arhopala ___? (Subject was really tiny)

It meets all the criteria clearly.

- The size description is enough to narrow it down to a muta-subgroup species.
- HW post-discal band completely dislocated at vein 2. It can now only be muta, moorei, metamuta or avathina.
- Sub-marginal spots dark and unsually well defined, even in this worn individual.
- FW post-discal spots 3 and 2 more or less in line, spot 2 slightly shifted inwards compared to 3; post-discal band shape corresponding with holotype.

The green tornal metalmark is broad but this marking is often variable.

[Psyche]

post 9.

It is not Arhopala avanthina but something equally interesting.


The diagnostic ID for A. avanthina is that the FW basal cellspot is absent.
In the image all three cellspots are present. ie. one at cellend, one at mid cell & the 3rd basal (actual position is sub-basal).

Arhopala kurzi have 1. all three cellspots present, 2. HW postdiscal band widely dislocated at vein 2, & 3. FW postdiscal spot 3 (ie. in space 3) elongate towards base (variable).
All three criteria are met here.
https://singapore.biodiversity.onlin...doptera-000440


TL Seow: Cheers.