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View Full Version : Would appreciate very much an ID of this skipper



Tai LA
02-Jan-2016, 06:45 AM
Picture was taken in Taman Botani Negara, Shah Alam, Selangor, on June 2015. I'm baffled by the darts and skippers. Thanking you in anticipation for the ID

http://img199.imagevenue.com/loc208/th_73814_IMG_7012b_122_208lo.jpg (http://img199.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=73814_IMG_7012b_122_208lo.jpg)

Psyche
02-Jan-2016, 04:52 PM
Probable ID Caltoris plebeia.

The Caltoris are difficult because much depends on the colour which varies greatly in photos.

Note rich ferruginous (rusty) colour, no FW cellspot, one small subapical spot 6 & one postdiscal spot 4.

Those with two cellspots C. bromus, cahira & brunnea can be discounted.
C. sirius montane , underside ochreous brown can be ruled out.

Of the others the most similar are C. cormasa, malaya ,& plebeia.

C. cormasa is very similar but differ in the following.
FW usually with 3 subapical spots (rarely two) ; usually with an upper cellspot (as well as the lower cellspot)
HW deeper rusty red brown than the FW giving a contrast between the two;; pale area on antenna prominent.

C. cormasa note those points stated.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7t4k7FNWto/VAmxnaf6kHI/AAAAAAAAP84/mzvRAqFZVxo/s1600/HFH_3719-Caltoris%2Bcormasa.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-todEFNke3BQ/VDFzNJu8OqI/AAAAAAAAfNk/uPMm6tvEcLg/s1600/CC_adult_02.jpg

C. malaya FW without cellspot; subapical spots usually two, sometimes one.
Underside a dull ferruginous brown.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uk5lk6Oo4Ws/VjSxDZKw7FI/AAAAAAAAOXU/PFAXjbYDOa0/s1600/Caltoris%2Bmalaya%2B%2528Malayan%2BSwift%2529%2B01 M%2B-%2BHorace%2BTan.jpg

C. plebeia; FW without cellspots ; subapical usually one (note in Sikkim up to three)
Underside a deep purplish ferruginous.
No web images except drawings which are useless for comparison.

TL Seow:Cheers.

Tai LA
03-Jan-2016, 01:58 PM
Tq Dr Seow as always...appreciate your help very much!