I didn't realised that the taxon distanti is now separated rom intermedia as a distinct species.
The dsf of M perseus in my previous is probably incorrect.
Even in dsf the alignment of the eyespots should remain the same. Thus since the 3 hindwing spots (their centre dots actually) are almost in alignment we can rule out M. perseus.
This leaves the dsf of M. intermedia & distant.
M. intermedia typically have 2 forewing spots , thus 2 dots in dsf; also the upper end of the white band on the hindwing is angled in (probably inconsistent feature).
Here is a valid dsf example. http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/185...sis-intermedia
This leaves the dsf of M. distanti to consider.
TL Seow
PS. It does get very confusing as I don't know which of the images on the net are correct, but I believed it is one of these , perseus, intermedia, & distanti.
On the assumption that none of the northern species have invaded KPN, I am trying to see whether the identity can be deduced by a process of elimination.
It seems the extreme dsf of all spp. can have very similar patterns with a yellowish diffusion of the white band. As to why it occur during the wet season it is a mystery.
Here is a correct image of a dsf M. perseus from India.
Notice the dots in space 2 & 3 are well out of alignment with the 2 dots in space 1b. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Co...W_IMG_4190.jpg
I think we can safely ruled out M. perseus.
M. perseoides often have 4 spot on the forewing & would be a prime candidate, but the sub-basal dark line typically form a tooth at space 1b. http://blog-imgs-42.fc2.com/s/p/a/sp...20110122-1.jpg
I think we can rule this one out as well.
Thanks Dr. Seow for the big and interesting explanations. I'll follow to check the Mycalesis in my area to see for the different decorations wet-dry season.
I gathered from your comment in post 1 that both franscisca & gotama have been recorded in KPN.
I had checked these out. Both have 2 spots on the forewing underside, not counting those little satellites. Typically they leave only 2 white dots in dsf.
There are enough examples of both on the net for comparison.
Your pic have 4 white dots nicely spaced out on the forewing.
3 species typically have 4 spots on the forewing , perseus, perseiodes, & visala.
The misalignment of the hindwing spots in perseus is quite constant, eg even in this Australian ssp. dsf. http://www.purvision.com/butterflies/ M. visala as we had seen on the Indian website have a radically different dsf. http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/185...calesis-visala
This leaves M. perseoides. The 'tooth' at the lower end of the subbasal line at vein 1b is variable and can be quite open, eg http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...20-%20Khew.jpg
Your pic actually shows a tooth at the same point although it is not so clear-cut.
The dsf of perseoides can present with a similar pattern & colouration as shown in these drawings of the original description. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...oides_60_2.jpg
I am unable to find a valid matching image on the net.
I may be wrong, but my money is on perseoides. (or should that be baht?)
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