Sumatran Sunbeam@Sungei Buloh

[Blue Jay]

The weather today was appealing for the butterflies. Sungei Buloh was teeming with activity, migratory birds were feeding and butterflies were zipping about every now and then. Even though I finally saw the sunbeam(for the first time), I missed the Palm King(uneven lighting):mad2: and an Arhopala(skittish fella):mad2: :mad2: :mad2: .

Sumatran Sunbeam(Female):cheers:

[Psyche]

Well Brian,

The see-through shows the upperside pattern of a female Sunbeam.

What is interesting is that the forewing band's upper two spots (in space 4 & 5) jut out more than in C. saronis, the Sumatran Sunbeam, suggesting this may be C. tagalica the Southern Sunbeam instead.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Blue Jay]

What is interesting is that the forewing band's upper two spots (in space 4 & 5) jut out more than in C. saronis, the Sumatran Sunbeam, suggesting this may be C. tagalica the Southern Sunbeam instead.
:hmmm: :hmmm: :hmmm:

[Banded Yeoman]

What is interesting is that the forewing band's upper two spots (in space 4 & 5) jut out more than in C. saronis, the Sumatran Sunbeam, suggesting this may be C. tagalica the Southern Sunbeam instead.


Uncle Seow, I think you are right. The two spots are definitely 'pushed' outward more than the regular c. saronis, almost detached.

What exactly is the key for tagalica?

[Psyche]

What exactly is the key for tagalica?

Here are images of the Southern Sunbeam, C. tagalica.
Notice the upper part of the forewing band sticks out like a pair of buckteeth ( Bugs Bunny teeth).
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc3/84110010.html

Here are images of C. saronis all males
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc3/84090010.html
Here is a female. Note red legs.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist%20V2/CI/mugshots/Curetis%20saronis%20sumatrana/Curetis-saronis-sumatrana-(Sumatran-Sunbeam-)-Sunny-Chir.jpg

Both C&P4 (Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula) and Fleming (Butterflies of West Malaysia & Singapore) do not mention the shape of the forewing band for identification.
The ID rests largely on the colour of the legs.
C. saronis - legs banded red.
C. tagalica - legs banded black or dark brown.

However it becomes very confusing because the leg band colour varies from pink/red to reddish to reddish brown to dark brown to black.
It also does not corelate with the forewing band which appears to be consistent for the 2 species.
I am still trying to figure this out.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Blue Jay]

Both C&P4 (Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula) and Fleming (Butterflies of West Malaysia & Singapore) do not mention the shape of the forewing band for identification.
The ID rests largely on the colour of the legs.
C. saronis - legs banded red.
C. tagalica - legs banded black or dark brown.

However it becomes very confusing because the leg band colour varies from pink/red to reddish to reddish brown to dark brown to black.
It also does not corelate with the forewing band which appears to be consistent for the 2 species.
Uncle Seow, I agree with you that the sub margin forewing band is not consistent, but the legs(from what I see) are pink and brown:hmmm: :thinking:

[Psyche]

Uncle Seow, I agree with you that the sub margin forewing band is not consistent, but the legs(from what I see) are pink and brown:hmmm: :thinking:

If you can see the legs are pink or red-brown then it is definitely C. saronis.

The authors of the 2 books are very specific in stating the colour of the legs in ID.
The forewing band in C. saronis is usually straight but can varies a bit especially in the female.
Here are examples of C. saronis males.
From Thailand.
http://www.natureeyes.dk/fotoarkiv_click2.asp?id=30231
Local.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/curetis/skyflash/Butterflies%20-%20Singapore/2005/UBIN/DSC_8756_sz-600_LVL_USM2.jpg?o=26
http://media.photobucket.com/image/curetis/skyflash/Butterflies%20-%20Singapore/2005/UBIN/DSC_8742_3MP_sz-600_LVL2_USM2.jpg?o=23

C. tagalica usually have the forewing band with the ' buckteeth' appearance, but can also be straight.
Here is a pair. Note the leg colour. Right male have black bands; left female have brown bands. Compare the female with Uncle Sunny's pic of C. saronis.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/curetis/skyflash/Butterflies%20-%20Singapore/2004/NORTH/DSC_0252_crop-4MP_resz-600_usm-1.jpg?o=20

A third Sunbeam C. regula, called Regular Sunbeam is also recorded in Singapore and can look similar to the Sumatran Sunbeam, but usually the hindwing band is more regular. Legs are banded dark brown or black.
http://i.pbase.com/g4/25/686825/2/132681840.QXkig9Dl.jpg

TL Seow:cheers:

[Blue Jay]

Uncle Seow, so you mean it is saronis with some sort of "development variation"?(for buck teeth)

[Psyche]

Uncle Seow, so you mean it is saronis with some sort of "development variation"?(for buck teeth)

In a way yes. The forewing band of saronis may sometimes look like that of tagalica.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Blue Jay]

Thx for the confirmations, Uncle Seow.:cheers: