Commoner Arhopalas at Omkoi

[DaveChiangMai]

Further to my previous posting of the less common Arhopala at Omkoi, these two species appeared the most numerous. I think they are A. alax and A. atrax. I have studied earlier postings on ButterflyCircle on the separation of these two species (spot 7 stacked on spot 6 on HW and dislocation at view 2), but find the differences hard to ascertain with any regularity. Some examples of the commoner species at Omkoi, with tentative identifications. I am sure I have some of these wrong.
Many thanks.

Image 1. I think A. atrax.
25489

Image 2a. I think A. alax
25490
Image 2b. same individual as 2a.
25491

Image 3. I think A. alax.
25492

Image 4. I think A. alax.
25493

Image 5. I think A. alax.
25494

Image 6. I think A. alax.
25495

[DaveChiangMai]

Very unusually, no replies on this posting. I think it must have been buried under other postings. I would still be very interested in the separation of these two.
With thanks,

[Psyche]

In the past these two were thoroughly confused & still do.
It necessary to get back to Evans' description.
Three species all member of the alea subgroup are very similar.

Main; HW postdiscal band completely dislocated at vein 2 & FW band intact & not dislocated.

Arhopala alea. FW spots with straight margins forming a regular band ;HW spot 6 not overlapping spot 5 or cellend bar Green scales present;Un rosy wash.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ArhopalaAlea/01ArhopalaAlea_KaleshSadasivan_aj669.jpg

Arhopala atrax ;FW spots lunulate; HW spot overlapping spot 5 only ;green scales present. UpF male & female without a cellend dark spot.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ArhopalaAtrax/ArhopalaAtrax_MilindBhakare_am993.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ArhopalaAtrax/ArhopalaAtrax_MilindBhakare_am993.jpg

Arhopala alax; UnF band margins irregular; HW spot 6 overlapping only spot 5; no green scales (some may be present) UpF male & female with a prominent dark cellend spot.
Probable.
http://www.samuibutterflies.com/02_images/travels/lycaenidae/arhopalaalax.v.jpg

Note the example from Burma in the link is A. alax with the dark cellend spot.
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_atrax#/media/File:AtraxMFUpUn_624_AC1.jpg

1, 2, 3, & 6 are Arhopala alax.

4 & 5 are two different species which I need to check up. They both have HW spot 6 astride spot 5 & cellend bar & the band partially dislocated at vein 2.

Evans' description.
https://archive.org/stream/bulletinofnatura05entolond#page/104/mode/1up


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Psyche]

4 looks to be Arhopala asinarus.
The only doubt is that A. asinarus FW tip usually looks pointy.
http://www.samuibutterflies.com/02_images/linkbuttons/butterflies/lycaenidae/arhopalaasinarus/underside.jpg
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-asinarus-1080x675.jpg

Similar.
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/project_tag/arhopala-aeeta/

TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Thank you. Very educational. I now have to check my old images of alax and atrax for errors.

[Psyche]

5. Arhopala asopia.
Tailless, no green scales ;HW submarginal spots a series of pointed domes.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2018/94_23508-211-5a476f00c9248-2.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

With many thanks.