Mycalesis annamitica or M. lepcha

[DaveChiangMai]

Photographed on Doi Phu Pha, n Thailand, in February. I cannot find a definitive way to separate these two species in dry season form. My gut feeling, based on the width of the very straight, discal line, and the rather rounded apex to the wing is that this is M. lepcha.
Comments on the ID appreciated.
Many thanks

25092

25093

25094

[Psyche]

I think they are right as M. lepcha kohimensis.

These species are terribly confusing & were placed as ssp of one another in various combination in the past.

Evans' old key still provide some clues.

M. annamitica ( as ssp of M. mamerta )
White discal line absent above.
Upf nearly always subequal ocelli in 3 & 5 as well as the usual one in 2.
Wings elongated . Termen H very scalloped .( in comparison to M. mamerta which have rounded margins. )


M. lepcha kohimensis.
Upf normally no ocellus in 3, if present smaller than the one in 5. (ocellus in 5 may be absent.)
Cilia white not chequered (brown in dsf.)
Very dark above & below.


In pix 2 which show a bit of the upperside FW, the big spot is ocellus in space 2.
Ocellus 3 & 5 are absent.
This means the species is M. lepcha.

M. lepcha ;Note on upper5side FW the two ocelli are in space 2 & 5 ; ocellus 3 is absent. HW margin slight to moderately scalloped.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycalesis_lepcha#/media/File:Mycalesis_lepcha_68_2.jpg



TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the details and confirmation.