ID request - Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia - May 1, 2025

[SL Liew]

Hi Dr. Seow,
Need your help to id these recent observations. Thank you.

LOCATION: FRASER"S HILL
April 28-29, 2023

#1A
Appias?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224580

#1B
Appias? Phrissura?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276835207

#2A
Potanthus?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224575

#2B
Potanthus?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752610

#2C
Potanthus?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276887058

#3A
Polytremis?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183737

#3B
Polytremis?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275585223

#4
Grass Skipper?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277187085

#5
Koruthaialos?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224567

#6
Notocrypta?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183746


#7A
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183741

#7B
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276827427

#7C
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276154686

#7D
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275795041

#7E
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752552


#7F
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275592512

#7G
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275592507

#8
Hasora?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752657

#9
Burara? Very blur shot from afar
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276823429

#10
Polyura?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752611

#11
Curetis?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276154697


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LOCATION: BUKIT AYER, PERLIS - Apr 26, 2025

#12A
Appias?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274726296

#12B
Appias?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274483881

#12C
Appias?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274269496

#13
Lycaenopsina?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274301990

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LOCATION: PENANG HILL - Apr 24, 2025

#14
Notocrypta?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274143869


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LOCATION: TERONG, PERAK - Apr 25, 2025

#15A
Polyura?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/273244388

#15B
Polyura?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/273244386

#16
Dacalana?
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/273244379

Happy Labor Day.
Cheers from Penang,
SL Liew

[Psyche]

1a. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224580
1b. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276835207

Both are Appias indra plana.

There is a lack of clarity in 1a which makes the ID more difficult.
The FW border *see thru) is much as in A. indra
Thw FW apex shows hint of white and the HW base hint of yellow.
1b is more specific with the paler apical area sharply contrasted with white shading at boundary with the black dical band,

Appias indra plana.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847209335
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4954453091
https://wingscales.com/Pieridae/Appias-indra-plana


Phrissura ( or as Udaiana) cynis
FW apex graded brown, no white shadings, hW costal base not yellow-tinged.
HW may have dark shading especially basally.(more so in Borneo.)
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847209796
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847209798
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3466158612
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/5077000073

[Psyche]

2a. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224575
2b. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224575

Subapical spot8 is reduced to half so there is a possibility it may be P. juno.
but it could just as well be P. omaha.


P. juno.
Subapical spot much reduced ,often absent.
abdominalend lightly dark banded.
Underside lightly dark-shaded.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Potanthus-juno-1080x724.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WroJpPq0U5g/WGddN4VeO8I/AAAAAAAAQQk/yLDmI309uw8nDMBP_wvQFzx7edYEtR6IACLcB/s1600/JunoDart-KohCH.jpg
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4162074420



2c. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276887058
Probably correct as P. lydia. Highland species.

P. lydia darkish.
Abdomen strongly dark banded, the end largely black.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Potanthus-lydia-1080x725.jpg



3a https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183737
3b. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275585223

These are typical Polytremis lubricans.
FW spots are dfistinctly yellow, Fw cellspots two ,often conjoined.
Spot 2 large, ovoid in the male, more rectangular in the female.

[Psyche]

4. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277187085

Astictopterus jama.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Astictopterus%20jama%20jama/Forest%20Hopper%20-%20khew%20-%203.jpg



5. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277224567
Probably correct as Korothaialos sindu.
The conical palpi and orange band reaching costa exclude K. rubecula female.



6. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183746
Notocrypta feisthamelii.
The extra spots on the FW including 3 subapical spots in a straighy line.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91630010.html
Correction to feature.
similar to N. curvifascia but UnF band have an extra white patch reaching the costal margin.

[Psyche]

7a.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/277183741
7b.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276827427
7c.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276154686
7d.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275795041
7e.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752552
7f.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275592512
7g.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275592507 - Correction: Oreolyce archena.

They all should be Udara dilecta.

The Udara species are divided into two main group based on the presence or absent of the submarginal lunulate line/spots.
Udara dilecta belongs to the group with submaarginal lunules.
They include U. dilecta, placidula, rona, cyma and similar species as celastrina lavendularis, and Callenya lenya.
28816
Udara dilecta is unique in that HW postdiscal spot 7 is no darker than the rest of the postdiscal spots on both wings.
In all other species, HW spot 7 is darker than the other postdiscal spots & often black.

Udara dlecta.
HW spot 7 no darker than the other postdiscal spots.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847201825
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847200139
https://wingscales.com/Lycaenidae/Udara-dilecta-dilecta


Udara rona. All spots light brownish Male upperside deeper blue.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847201863

U. placidula,
Ground greyer. HW spot 7 dark.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202355
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/214331294

U. cyma.
HW spot 7 large, black , the rest light brownish.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847200158

Callenya lenya.
Similar to U. cyma with spot 7 black, ground white.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847200102


Celastrina lavendularis.
Can be very similar to U. placidula.
Darker brownish grey ground with strong white halos and stronger spots.
HW submarginal line often more serrate.
Male upperside with broader diffuse dark borders.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847199548
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4177487516
https://wingscales.com/Lycaenidae/Celastrina-lavendularis-isabella

[Psyche]

8. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752657
Likely Hasora myra.
Too blur and dark.

Three similar species.
1. Hasora myra.
HW tornal area not darken .
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847176186
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847176188
https://wingscales.com/media/2400/6657-1-af649.jpg

The other two have the HW tornus darken.
H. lizetta more ochreous.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847176192
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4868026200

H. zoma larger and darker.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847175793
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2456362082



9.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276823429
Too blur. Probably B. harisa.


10. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752611
Probably Polyura paulettae.
Reviw later.


11. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/276154697
Likely Curetis bulis.
The upperside shows large orange areas but thatis likely to be due to motion blur.
Last ic is the clearest.
HW submarginal spots 6 & 7 in line.
Postdiscal spot 7 large & crescentic, spot 6 small & tuck under it.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc3/84030010.html
https://wingscales.com/Lycaenidae/Curetis-bulis-stigmata
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Curetis-bulis.jpg

[Psyche]

Correction.
7g. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275592507

Oreolyce archena.
Note presence of black spot at base of space 7( similar to Acytolepis puspa).
Fw without costal spot 9.
Markings much heavier than in U. dilecta.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202251
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202288
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202249

[Psyche]

12a.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274726296
12b.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274483881
12c.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274269496

Males Appias paulina.
Underside yellow tinged.
Squarish spot in space 3 often.
Male UpH marginal spots not conjoined.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/pie/20610020.html
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/pie/20590010.html


13.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274301990

Acytolepis puspa. Aberration with enlarged spots
Howeever, there is a spot (diffusely enlarged) at base of space 7.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/80830010.html
Example with large discal & postdiscal spots in space 7.
https://wingscales.com/media/2400/6971-1-0b167.jpg


14.https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/274143869

Notocrypta feisthalmelii. Correction: N. curvifascia.
The subapical spots in a straight row is diagnostic.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91630010.html
Corr4ection N. curvifascia.
Similar to N. feisthalmelli with subapical spots but UnF white band does not have white shadings reaching costa.

[Psyche]

16. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/273244379

Just too blur to see anything.
D. sinhara is the much rarer species.
The two can be very confusing despite what the key state.


Dacalana vidura azayda.
The taxon azyada is also upgraded to a full species by some authors.
Thus it becomes Dacalana azyada azyada.


D. vidura azyada.
Upperside brand smaller.
UnH orange patch not obliterating the dark postdiscal line above it.
UnF postdiscal line curved gently to the costa.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202232
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202236
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202242


Dacalana sinhara sinhara.
Male brand larger, longer.
UnH orange patch obliterating all or most of the dark line above it in space 2.
Unf postdiscal line runs more or less straight to the costa.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202165
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202175
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202175
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847202163

[Psyche]

10. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/275752611
Polyura paulettae.


15a
1st pic too blur to see detail.
2nd pic. Notocrypta.
3rd pic Unknown possibly Psolos fuligo.


15b. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/273244386
I'll leave this as P. athamas.


Eliot described two forms of the Polyura athamas complex in P. Malaysia in which he opined they could be separate species.

Toussaint et. all did a molecular analysis of the P. athamass in India and SEA in 2015 & 2016.
His analysis show that a new species is present (later named P. paulettae.).
This was the same taxon that Eliot state was of continental origin and thought to be P. athamas.
Specimens were taken from Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, and a single male from Cameron Highlands.

Toussaint took two samples of P. athamas from the type location in South China and extrapolate the range to include the whole of Southeast Asia.

He took samples of uraeus from Sumatra (TL) and Borneo with sample of attallus from Java and conclude they all belong to one species.ie.
P. attalus attalus.... Java.
P. attalus uraeus .... Sumatra and Borneo.

No sample of uraeus from P. Malaysia was taken
His map shows.
P. athamas SE Asia including malaya.
P. attalus.. Java, Sumatra and Borneo.

What then do we make of what is 'uraeus' in P. Malaysia.

P. paulettae (named after Toussaint's grandmother Paulette.)
UpH with marginal orange spots.
UnH with postdiscal lunules all strongly crescentic.
Longer tails.
There is a good image of a specimen from Pakistan available on the web.
28817
Polyura paulettae.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205194
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205195
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205245
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205192

Polyura athamas.
Uph without marginal orange spots.
UnH upper postdiscal lunules distorted or blocky.

Peninsular forms designated as 'uraeus'.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205201
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205193
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205189
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205184


Polyura athamas from type location in S. china.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4091854176
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4137760962
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3961111012
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3923266661
Central Thailand.
https://wingscales.com/Nymphalidae/Polyura-athamas-athamas



Polyura attalus attalus Java.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/4138139881

Polyura attalus uraeus Sumatra.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1453076799
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3947564180
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3124520553

Polyura attalus uraeus Borneo.
https://www.jamiun.com/polyura-athamas-common-nawab/

If the Malayan taxon is correctly P. attalus uraeus, then surely it would also extend into thailand.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/cha/60080001.html

I think it is best left as P. athamas for the time being. There is no penalty.

Much the same can be said of p. agenor/ memnon.
P.Malaysia being part of the landmass Sundaland ,isolated from the mainland millions of years ago should have P. memnon as its original population.
What happens? No one have done a proper analysis.


TL Seow: Cheers.
PS. Corrected spelling errors.

[SL Liew]

Thanks very much Dr. Seow for your id feedback.
The information about Polyura sp and subspecies found in Peninsular Malaysia is very interesting.

Cheers from Penang,
SL Liew