Separation of Melanitis sp.

[DaveChiangMai]

In Thailand there are three species of Melanitis Evening Browns, M. leda, M. zitenius and M. pedima. Telling them apart from images seems very difficult. Example of one below, which I assume is Z. leda.

Does anyone know a reliable way to separate these three?

Thanks24417

[Psyche]

Melanitis species especially M. leda are very variable in markings & there seem no absolute certainty in using them for ID in some cases.
This is Melanitis leda dsf.

M. leda: HW vein 4 tail stubby & only a bit longer than that at vein 2.
Wsf striated like Ypthima & with large ringed ocelli ;Dsf often with black marks on HW.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqYSXe3c_Xc/USeTwzySZSI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/ElMTLW7Qs3s/s1600/CommonEB-JonS.jpg
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Melanitis%20phedima%208628-001a.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us6COamx1SU/UpyYqG2f5XI/AAAAAAAAM2U/E5DCHOWKUkw/s1600/HFH9621+Melanitis+leda+leda+(The+Common+Evening+Br own)..jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/sat/40010001.html

M. zitenius : HW vein 4 tail longer pointed & at least 2X that at vein 2; FW apex often strongly angulated; dsf may have dark HW marks.
http://www.flutters.org/home/photogallery/plog-content/images/butterfliesbrnbspnbspnbspnymphalidae-the-brush-footed-br/subfamily-satyrinae-brnbspnbspnbsp-genus-cyllogenesmelanitisparantirrhoea--the-evening-browns-/great-evening-brown_melanitis-zitenius-ziteniuspanbari_kaziranga_assam_monsoonjyotigogoi_ .jpg
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Melanitis%20zitenius%208958-001a.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/sat/40030010.html
http://wingscales.com/content/record/2390-1-011fa.jpg

M. phedima :FW costa (forward margin) strongly convex ;HW tail at vein 4 at least 2X that at vein 2 ; male almost black.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiSFmb5p65k/WJxsCbpyPsI/AAAAAAAALUE/Lns2UaQ3JpEvLcxIA_0eMJRVv6pYGP05ACLcB/s1600/Melanitis%2Bphedima%2BHD1.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5810/23417361814_35f9af82ab_b.jpg
http://www.butterflyparkbelvai.com/images/nymphalidae/dark_evening_brown.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/sat/40020010.html

TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the confirmation and links.