ID confirmation, please!

[chengailim]

Dear Dr Seow,

Is this a Besta Palm Dart please? Found the 5th instar caterpillar on the Elephant Grass.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50709120293_f0d57a802f_c_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50709943857_40bfde668a_c_d.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50709859531_aa217ffd65_c_d.jpg

Thanks,

Regards,
Cheng Ai

[Psyche]

Yes. It should be correct as a female Telicota besta.

The females are more difficult.
Not withstanding there seem some mislabelled images on the net.


T. linna female.
Rather pale, Veins across the HW band not dark-dusted.
Face & abdomen noticeably paler than others.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Telicota%20linna/TL_female_02.jpg


T. colon female.
FW with spots of the band arranged in a stepladder arrangement as in the male.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2017/398_13184-938-57b21576a1d4c-2.jpg


The females of the next two are more often confused.

T. augias female.
HW more orange & uniform, the HW band not contrasted from the ground colour; veins lightly dark-dusted.
Abdomen mainly of the same orangey tone as the HW.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oeax9BCEjgI/VgoXgwcBG_I/AAAAAAAABhk/k60Yqt8YTVA/s1600/Telicota%2Baugias_female.jpg


T. besta female.
Yellower, the HW veins lightly dark-dusted.
HW band paler & contrasted from the ground colour.
Abdomen a little paler .
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEM0FaXJUEI/U1vGhhSB71I/AAAAAAAAdOk/ZsPEPPciXJU/s1600/TB_adult_female_01.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[chengailim]

Thanks Dr Seow.