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View Full Version : Opinions on Potanthus ID



Commander
09-Sep-2012, 04:59 PM
Seow and anyone else, what's your opinion about this fella? Typical Potanthus sized, and was flying in the company of other Potanthus.

The subapical spots eliminate P. trachala and the hindwing veins are not darkened except for the lowest vein as shown in the enlarged shot.

Psyche
09-Sep-2012, 06:19 PM
These Darts can be quite confusing because of variations.
This one should still be P. trachala although the overlap between spots 5 & 6 and spots 3 & 4 is a bit more than usual in trachala.
Subapical spots outer margin notched.
The underside hindwing is also trachala with the large combined spot 4/5 jutting out from spot 3.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist%20V2/CI/mugshots/Potanthus%20trachala%20tytleri/Potanthus_female_01.jpg

P. confucius (by Federick) is similar, but note wide overlap between spots 5 & 6, and spots 3 & 4. Note spot 3 is wide (long sideway).
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D064vxkIN6k/T4BL7IDFvUI/AAAAAAAAFq4/yVFvOp6BjKI/s1600/DSC_4986-Potanthus+trachala.jpg

P. ganda (by LC ) have no overlap between spot 5 & 6, but wide overlap between 3 & 4; spot 3 wide. Hindwing usually (?always) without spot 6; dark shading but no dark spots.
http://i.pbase.com/g4/25/686825/2/142059551.hxASEFJU.jpg

TL Seow:cheers:

Commander
09-Sep-2012, 08:28 PM
Thanks, Seow. Makes a lot of sense. :cheers:

I presume this one's a female?

Psyche
09-Sep-2012, 11:14 PM
The brush -tip abdomen indicates a male.
A good confirmation for P. trachala is to see the whole of spot 3.
In trachala it is narrow (short horizontally) so it is more crescentic. The rest have this spot wide ( elongate horizontally).
Correction: This observation is wrong. Spot 3 can be elongate in trachala.

I am just not too happy with the overlaps compared with Horace's P. trachala.

TL Seow:cheers:
PS. After looking at examples of P. trachala, the overlap on the underside is variable.
Here is one by Federick in which the overlap between spot 5 & 6 is greater, but that between spots 3 & 4 is very narrow.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFddvWNuuwM/TWnaFiuh6WI/AAAAAAAAEBU/PnNRsRtY9kA/s400/DSC0615%2BPothanthus%2Btrachala%2Btytleri.jpg