South Vietnam

[DJHiker]

Dec. 2018 and Jan. 2019 South Vietnam, from Mekong Delta to Central Highlands.

Remarkably few insects in the Mekong Delta area. Probably due to the population density and the fact that practically every bit of land has been cultivated. Although very green, there is not much nature left here.
Nevertheless I have been able to photograph a reasonable number of butterflies. Though they all were rather common species, there are some where I doubt my tentative identification.

Any help would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Observation 1 Mycalesis perseus? Cat Tien NP 27-12-2018 alt. <500m
25603

Observation 2 Euploea tulliolus dehaani? Cat Tien NP 28-12-2018 alt. <500m
25606

Observation 3 Hesperiidae sp. Cat Tien NP 28-12-2018 alt. <500m
25604

Observation 4 Hesperiidae sp. Cat Tien NP 28-12-2018 alt. <500m
25605

Observation 5 Arhopala sp.? Cat Tien NP 28-12-2018 alt.<500m
25607

Observation 6 Potanthus sp.? Cat Tien NP 28-12-2018 alt.<500m
25608

Observation 7 Hesperiidae sp. Bao Loc 30-12-2018 alt.approx.800m
25609

Observation 8 Eurema brigitta? Bao Loc 30-12-2018 alt.approx.800m
25610

Observation 9 Borbo bevani? Bao Loc 30-12-2018 alt.approx.800m
25611

Observation 10 Borbo bevani? Vinh Hy (coastal area) 03-01-2018 alt.<500m
25614

Observation 11 Heliophorus indicus? Bao Loc 31-12-2018 alt.approx.800m
2561325612

Observation 12 Phaedyma columella? Much larger than e.g. Neptis hylas Buon Ma Thuot 09-01-2019 alt. approx.500m
25615

Observation 13 Phaedyma columella? Buon Ma Thuot 09-01-2019 alt. approx.500m
25616

Observation 14 Telicota ancilla? 12-01-2019 Can Tho 12-01-2019 alt.<500m
25617

Observation 15 Telicota ancilla? 12-01-2019 Can Tho 12-01-2019 alt.<500m
2561925618

Observation 16 Mycalesis perseus 12-01-2019 Can Tho 12-01-2019 alt.<500m
25620

[Psyche]

1. Mycalesis perseoides.
The white striae are broadly shaded which is not the case in perseus.
http://butterfliesvietnam.blogspot.com/2015/07/35-mycalesis-mineus-dark-branded.html

2. E. tulliolus is right.

3. Caltoris cormasa.
The colouration is fairly typical.

4. Halpe zola.
The orange tip antenna with a white dot is characteristic of H. zema/zola.
The HW upperside have an indication of the underside white band.
H. zola is much the commoner.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91270001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91250001.html

[Psyche]

5. Arhopala lurida.
Markings are as for A lurida/atosia.
Markings are more contrastedin lurida & HW spot 4 & 5 are well in line.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14394110133_8743fb881d_b.jpg
A. atosia.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbDyPYyyT_A/TdcZpbANXcI/AAAAAAAAEW0/LllOWGziMs4/s400/DSC_0029-Arhopala.jpg

6. Telicota colon female.
FW spot 4 & 5 slightly distorted & spot 4 have little overlap with spot 3.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grsw9HIBWI4/VAxfuqQLhFI/AAAAAAAAQFU/ARBSsNRqbFI/s1600/HFH3772-Telicota%2Bcolon%2Bstinga.jpg

7. Astictopterus jama.
1- 3 tiny spots may be present.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91030010.html

8. Eurema laeta.
The markings are characteristic.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/pie/20550010.html

9. Pseudoborbo bevani.
Note the 3 subapical spots are nearly in line.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93070001.html

Borbo cinnara ;subapical spots in an arc.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93060001.html

19 Parnara bada typical spotting.
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5231538#/media/File:African_Straight_Swift_(Parnara_bada)_in_Vana sthalipuram,_Hyderabad,_AP_W_IMG_9229.jpg

[Psyche]

11. This is extremely difficult.
I think it is just H. epicles.
H. indicus is mostly dark above & used to be considered a ssp of epicles.
H. ila chinensis is also very similar.

The images on the web seem to be very mixed up & it is dificult to tell which are correct.

12. Phaedyma columella martabana.female
The two spots at the FW lower margin. the smaller at the top.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lim1/720470010.html

13 Neptis hylas.
Underside white bands are edged in black, diagnostic.

14.Telicota colon female.

15. Telicota besta female.
FW spot 4 & 5 equal Un. dull ochreous veins lightly dark dusted.

16 Mycalesis perseus.
White striae are thin ; eyespots arranged in an arc in both wings.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[DJHiker]

Dear Dr. Seow,

thanks a lot for your comprehensive reply. Your explanations are really quite helpful.
Kind regards,
David

[DJHiker]

Dear Dr. Seow,
After studying your ID’s I have one question, because I was wondering what makes you confident that Obs. 7 shows Astictopterus jama?
Couldn’t Lambrix salsala be an option as well?
I have just a single view. Does it provide enough clues to distinguish these species?
Regards,
David

[Psyche]

You are quite right ,it is Iambrix salsala.
The right FW has just a single spot.

I have gone thru a nos of I. salsala images & could not find one with a single spot.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wwwssncomphotos/36900070801
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4792063155_60ee0d9dc7.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Iambrix%20salsala%20salsala/Chestnut%20Bob%20-%20Khew.jpg

However in Thailand it appears to be common.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91470001.html
The brown costa (front margin) is also indicative of Iambrix.


TL Seow; Cheers.

[DJHiker]

Thanks again.
Regards,
David