ID help please

[Banded Yeoman]

Thanks for the detailed response Dr Seow!

I understand Nacaduba can be difficult to identify with certainty with underside shots only. However, would there be any 6-line species that were recorded in Singapore but missed in recent searches?

Also, is it correct to say that the 4-line species do not need to be identified by sex first.. Or did this rule apply across the whole genus?

[Psyche]

Thanks for the detailed response Dr Seow!

I understand Nacaduba can be difficult to identify with certainty with underside shots only. However, would there be any 6-line species that were recorded in Singapore but missed in recent searches?

Also, is it correct to say that the 4-line species do not need to be identified by sex first.. Or did this rule apply across the whole genus?

All 6line blues are accounted for.
A rare highland endemic is present in P. Malaysia, N. kirtoni.

Generally it is good to know the sex.
The females all have broader markings ,but otherwise ID features are the same as for the males.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

Dr Seow, good to hear that for the 4-line species, the ID features are largely the same between sexes.. That certainly makes life a little easier!

Here's a break from the usual Lycaenids.. shot on Ubin. I'm assuming that it is Amathusia phidippus, since it is the only species that seems to be recorded around here. Yet, the pale markings and deeper indented bands caught my attention.

ID as Amathusia friderici holmanhunti

[Psyche]

Post 14.

It looks like you have found another new species.
This is Amathusia friderici holmanhunti .

If you look at the HW 4th dark band from the base, it is narrow & notched in the sides.
This typical of several other species.
In A. phidippus, this band is entire usually & not notched on the sides.

Examples of A. phiddippus from Singapore.
https://wanderingbutterflyeffect.fil...e7731b860b.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yzw2AzY2du...m-King-KSK.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...lson%20Ong.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...erick%20Ho.jpg

A. friderici ; HW 4th dark band narrow & notched on the sides.
Malaya
http://lithops.com.ua/image/cache/da...em-500x500.JPG
Southern Thailand.
http://paro6.dnp.go.th/paro6_royal_p...20palmking.jpg

A. perakensis : HW 4th dark band broken & head end separated.
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-c...a-1080x719.jpg

A. binghami ;HW 4th dark band lightly notched ;main band reddish & broad.
https://a4.pbase.com/g9/25/686825/2/...5.KgQ4Jik0.jpg


A. friderici 's host plant is the common oilpalm & it is reported to be common in some oilpalm plantations.
The form utana which is commoner is very dark ,almost black in the male upperside.
You may have notice this as it flies off. This looks like a female though.
TL Seow: Cheers.

[Banded Yeoman]

Thanks Dr Seow! I was aware that there were many more "Palm Kings" in the region but had no clue how to identify them, or even expect to see anything besides the usual A. phidippus.

There were several individuals flying around in the thicket. I do recall them to be very black when in flight, which attracted my attention in the very first place. I cannot say whether the upperside was black for this specific individual however, as I wasn't keeping track of them.

[Banded Yeoman]

Two more Amathusia for consideration, both shot in Ubin. The first is my sighting, while the second is a shot sent to me by Mr Michael Soh (on the forums as Blue Pansy). Aaron, Dr Seow, what do you think?

1) ID as Amathusia friderici holmanhunti


2) Amathusia phidippus, by Michael Soh

[Psyche]

Post 17.

The 1st is undoubtedly A. friderici.

The 2nd one is a bit tricky.
I think it is a variant of A. phidippusbut I am not too sure at the moment.

TL Seow: Cheers.

PS. On reflection 2 is more likely to be A. friderici as well.