Identification of Dark-bordered Hedge Blue Plautella cossaea

[DaveChiangMai]

Would appreciate some pointers on the identification of Dark-bordered Hedge Blue. From reading there should be an absence of "marginal spot in space 7 on the hind wing", to differentiate it from Common Hedge Blue puspa. Looking at various images on the web I fail to be sure of this feature in separation of these two.

Attached two photos of what I believe to be Common Hedge Blue puspa from Kaeng Krachan (first image), and an unidentified Hedge Blue that may be Dark-bordered from Yala (second image).

Thanks for any feedback and confirmation.2437024371

[Psyche]

Both the pix are Acytolepis puspa.

Acytolepis is recognised by the presence of a black spot at the base of HW space 7, not at the margin.
In your pix space 7 is at the top part of the HW where the two big round spots are .At the base is a tear drop spot (like a tadpole with a long tail)

The 2nd species Acytolepis lilacea has a similar basal space 7 spot.
http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/342_8170-704-55ed11e508689-1.jpg

Plautella cossaea lack this space 7 basal spot. Two examples from Thailand.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/425/18542349225_8d7ba6a636_c.jpg
http://www.samuibutterflies.com/02_images/travels/lycaenidae/plautellacossaeapambui.v.jpg

TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Very clear. Thank you for the feedback.