Arhopala ?

[horace2264]

Shot this Arhopala specimen in the nature reserve.

Dr Seow, any idea what the species ID might be?

[Psyche]

This is a difficult one. It is a member of the cleander group.
If it is large it is A. athada.
The wide spacing between the postdiscal & submarginal bands suggest this species.

If it is small then it is a member of the alea subgroup, eg sublustris, milleri, phanda, normani, & aroa.

TL Seow :Cheers.

[horace2264]

This is a difficult one. It is a member of the cleander group.
If it is large it is A. athada.
The wide spacing between the postdiscal & submarginal bands suggest this species.

If it is small then it is a member of the alea subgroup, eg sublustris, milleri, phanda, normani, & aroa.

TL Seow :Cheers.
Thanks, Dr Seow for the suggested IDs. :)
From what I could recall, it was not a large specimen.

[Psyche]

Thanks, Dr Seow for the suggested IDs. :)
From what I could recall, it was not a large specimen.

It is useful to know the size. The other thing which bothered me is the short tail since all athada with intact tails have them long.

Members of the cleander subgroup are large & they have several characteristics.
1. The large protruding tornal lobe , ( hard to see in photos).
2. The FW postdiscal band is always well separated from the submarginal band in space 2 (view often blocked.).
3. The HW postdiscal band is also usually well-separated from the submarginal band as well as the green metalmark.
A. athada Singapore.
http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_athada_athada#mediaviewer/File:ArhopalaAthadaAthadaMUpUn.jpg
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab169/rustysocute123/v.png
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20athada%20athada/Vinous%20Oakblue%202%20-%20horace.jpg

Members of the alea subgroup are medium/small.
1. The tornal lobe is not so protruding but of little help.
2. The FW postdiscal band usually comes close or touching the submarginal band in space 2 (variable).
3. The HW postdiscal band is usually close to the submarginal band especially in space 3 to 5 (variable).
4. The lower postdiscal spot 2 is very close to the green metalmark.
Below, both are probably A. sublustris.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/federickho/SF/Arhopalaathadaathada.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Bin/Sunny-Chir-1D3--13_06_2012---5545.jpg

This one has the FW spot 2 closer but not very, to the submarginal band.
The HW spots 3 & 4 again are closer but not by much.
HW spot 2 however, is fairly close to the green metalmark.
HW spot 6 is rather quadrate.

The closest match is Arhopala normani. Fleming L212.

TL Seow:cheers:

[horace2264]

Thanks, Dr Seow for further clarification on the species ID. :)
We will have to get a voucher specimen of this species!