ID confirmation please

[chengailim]

Dear Dr Seow,

Kindly confirm this is Mutal Oakblue (Arhopala muta maranda).

Thanks,

Regards
Cheng Ai


26037

[Psyche]

It is not possible to separate Arhopala muta from A. moorei based on the underside.
They have similar genitalia & were thus in the past considered as possibly one species.

Mutal Oakblue is I think a name from the Thai Checklist.

The word muta in Latin means change & refers to the changeable colour of the wings.
Derived English words include mutate, mutable & mutation.

There is no English word 'mutal'.

TL Seow: Cheers.

[chengailim]

Dr Seow,

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I understand that the A moorei may have been sighted in the Central Catchment Reservoir area.
My apologies that I am totally new and know very little about Arhopalas. They are rather challenging species. How then do we differentiate both these Arhopalas if I should encounter the species again?

By the way, I got the common name of the A. muta, ie Mutal Oakblue from Khew's Butterflies of Singapore book.

Regards,
Cheng Ai

[Banded Yeoman]

I don't recall any confirmed sighting of A. moorei from Singapore... Did I miss something haha

[chengailim]

Yes, Jonathan. There is no definite confirmation of A moorei sightings.

I am just curious how both are differentiated if I should see these Arhopalas in future. My understanding from website search seemed to suggest that the colours of the upperside are indicators for differentiation.

Regards,
Cheng Ai

[Psyche]

All three species A. muta, moorei & metamuta were recorded from Singapore.

A. metamuta male has the greatest contrast between FW & HW. If you get a flying shot with differently coloured FWs & HWs it is most likely to be this.
On the FW underside if raised high, spot 2 & 3 are fully in line , in muta & moorei these two spots are partially dislocated between them.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81950001.html
This is labelled A. muta but FW spots 2 & 3 their margins are in line.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-muta-1-1080x720.jpg


A. muta is also like A. metamuta but less contrasted & the HW reflects paler blue sometimes only at an angle.
The female is uniform purple blue.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81930010.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81930020.html

A. moorei does not have the reflective change in both sexes.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/81940010.html

Is there a possible way to differentiate between the two from the undersides, let alone even the upperside is tough enough.

Possibly this may work.

1. A. metamuta; UnH spot 6 quadrate & relatively narrow; FW spot 2 & 3 in line (diagnostic).

2. UnH spot 6 large ;FW spots 2 & 3 partially dislocated between them.

A. muta; HW spot 6 large & rounded.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20muta%20maranda/MutalOakblue-TanBJ.jpg
https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_muta_waterstradti#/media/File:ArhopalaMutaWaterstradtiMFUpUnAC1.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20muta%20maranda/MutalOakblue-HoraceT2.jpg

A. moorei ;UnH spot 6 with more angular margins.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_moorei#/media/File:ArhopalaMooreiMFUpUnAC1.jpg
https://singapore.biodiversity.online/species/A-Arth-Hexa-Lepidoptera-000441?imageId=1


TL Seow: Cheers.

[chengailim]

Thank you so much Dr Seow, for the detailed explanations. It is much appreciated!

Regards
Cheng Ai