Psyche
12-Sep-2025, 09:51 PM
Six species of Mycalesis in P. Malaysia are very similar and can be very confusing to ID in fieldshots.
Three have thin white striae encircling the eyespots and the ground is generally clearer.
They will be mentioned first.
Mycalesis. From the region of Mount Mykale in Greek mythology.
28932
1. Mycalesis perseus. ( Perseus. Greek hero, the slayer of Medusa.)
The HW ocelli form a wide bowl-like indentation of their inner margins.
The last four ocelli are well out of line.
The FW ocelli if many are also arranged in a similar arc.
More often brown.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20perseus%20cepheus/Dingy%20Bush%20Brown%202%20-%20Khew.jpg
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20perseus%20cepheus/Dingy%20Bush%20Brown%20-%202%20-%20Khew.jpg
2. Mycalesis mineus. ( Mineus. mortal father of the Nymph Echo in Greek Mythology.)
The indentation formed by the ocelli is somewhat triangular in the cupper half.
The last four HW ocelli are in a straight line.
FW ocellus 2 is moderately large.
more often grey.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20mineus%20macromalayana/MM_adult_LC.jpg
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20mineus%20macromalayana/MM_adult_Frederick_01.jpg
3. Mycalesis horsfieldi.( after Horsfield, British entomologist.)
The third species here is largely found in SE Johor and Tioman island.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205588
This resembles M. perseoides but the white striae are thin & the dark discal line weak & regular if visible.
The ocelli are relatively small, 7 on the HW and up to 5 on the FW.
Male UpH have a large yellow brand in space 6-7, which protrude beyond the yellow hair tuft. The end is square-cut.
This resembles the male of M. distanti which have the brand end rounded. The two were confused in the past.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205588
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3456259398
Borneo.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2331905189
Three have thin white striae encircling the eyespots and the ground is generally clearer.
They will be mentioned first.
Mycalesis. From the region of Mount Mykale in Greek mythology.
28932
1. Mycalesis perseus. ( Perseus. Greek hero, the slayer of Medusa.)
The HW ocelli form a wide bowl-like indentation of their inner margins.
The last four ocelli are well out of line.
The FW ocelli if many are also arranged in a similar arc.
More often brown.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20perseus%20cepheus/Dingy%20Bush%20Brown%202%20-%20Khew.jpg
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20perseus%20cepheus/Dingy%20Bush%20Brown%20-%202%20-%20Khew.jpg
2. Mycalesis mineus. ( Mineus. mortal father of the Nymph Echo in Greek Mythology.)
The indentation formed by the ocelli is somewhat triangular in the cupper half.
The last four HW ocelli are in a straight line.
FW ocellus 2 is moderately large.
more often grey.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20mineus%20macromalayana/MM_adult_LC.jpg
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Mycalesis%20mineus%20macromalayana/MM_adult_Frederick_01.jpg
3. Mycalesis horsfieldi.( after Horsfield, British entomologist.)
The third species here is largely found in SE Johor and Tioman island.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205588
This resembles M. perseoides but the white striae are thin & the dark discal line weak & regular if visible.
The ocelli are relatively small, 7 on the HW and up to 5 on the FW.
Male UpH have a large yellow brand in space 6-7, which protrude beyond the yellow hair tuft. The end is square-cut.
This resembles the male of M. distanti which have the brand end rounded. The two were confused in the past.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847205588
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/3456259398
Borneo.
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2331905189