Arhopala agaba???

I came across this today, looking for A. bazaloides. Originally I thought I had got it, but on looking at the photo, I immediately became aware that it was not, no spot in space 8. I then thought of A. aurelia, but an extreme example, as can be found on Samui. However, eventually, I noticed that, at vein 2 on the hindwing, there was no complete dislocation. Also the relationship of hindwing spot 6 to spot 5 and the cell led me to this decision, together with the white subapical scaling on both wings. Using the C&P4 key, I came to Arhopala agaba. Am I right, or is this just wishful thinking yet again!

It was very skittish, and never allowed me close enough for a decent photo.

Without a doubt it is A aqaba.

Hindwing postdiscal spot in space 5 & cellend bar contiguous, separated only by the intervening stria.
Further difference from the very similar A. bazalus are:
In A bazalus the forewing postdiscal spot in space 4 is shifted distad( as stated in the key) but not obvious.
The postdiscal band is not strongly dislocated at vein 4, just below spot 4 as in A. bazalus.
Hindwing postdiscal spot 6 is not concave/strongly notched on the outer margin as in A. bazalus.

TL Seow:cheers:

Thank you so much:redbounce . I was quietly confident I had it right, but, particularly with Arhopalas, it is best to get confirmation. I was even able to use the C&P4 keys correctly!!!! (also a first).

My first +1 for the year. Now to get a better photo.

Congrats Les for new +1 in 2012. :cheers:

Congratulations from your neighbor that is 2 weeks working like a buffalo (very high season) and cannot get out to take pictures!! :cry:

Thanks LC, Antonio. It was a suprise to me, I have a list of species that I could reasonably hope to find here, but this was not on it.

Congrats Les, on a good start in 2012. :cheers: :cheers:

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Originally Posted by Painted Jezebel

My first +1 for the year. Now to get a better photo.

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Shucks! I was lying low and wanted to creep up on you and overtake KSM with the Singapore checklist this year.... :bsmile:

Congrats Les - a good start.

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Originally Posted by Commander

Shucks! I was lying low and wanted to creep up on you and overtake KSM with the Singapore checklist this year.... :bsmile:

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Thanks Nelson, Fed & Khew.

Khew, I know you have several in the pipeline, awaiting confirmation, so I am sure you will close up on me, but you will need to be very busy. I'm up to somewhere over 330, but needing to confirm some Potanthus and Mycalesis so it could be 335!:)

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Originally Posted by Painted Jezebel

Khew, I know you have several in the pipeline, awaiting confirmation, so I am sure you will close up on me, but you will need to be very busy. I'm up to somewhere over 330, but needing to confirm some Potanthus and Mycalesis so it could be 335!:)

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:bsmile: Yes, I'm sure you'll have more to discover, given that you're the "lone ranger" up there on Samui, and we have the advantage of a much bigger number of eagle-eyed members here in Singapore.

Five years and not a sight, then twice in two weeks, in different places, too.

This one was a bit more generous with its location, but was just as skittish, so I could not get as close as I wanted. And it certainly did not like the flash!

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Originally Posted by Painted Jezebel

Five years and not a sight, then twice in two weeks, in different places, too.

This one was a bit more generous with its location, but was just as skittish, so I could not get as close as I wanted. And it certainly did not like the flash!

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This fella did not even want you to shoot it. Look at the abdomen(jump at the flash).:bsmile: