Another UFO skipper

[horace2264]

This time I could not manage a proper underside shot as the butt kept opening up the wings to take in the sun.

Could this be a Parnara sp.? (no spot in space 1b of FW, and the antennae appear to be short).

[Commander]

Certainly matches one of the Parnara doesn't it?

[Psyche]

It is Parnara apostata.
I recall a shot from P. Semakau which was very dark.

Parnara bada is easily recognised by its pale/whitish antennae , poor HW spots & browner colour.
Singapore examples.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...2011--0379.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FX2pIhZeZ4...us%2BSwift.jpg

P. ganga is common in HK it is paler brown , Fw cell sometime with a lower cellspot, HW spots tend to be small.
HK examples.
http://m9.i.pbase.com/g3/98/670198/2...9.SikGvt63.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7139/7...5b089b09_z.jpg
India. Note lower cellspot on left FW>
http://www.flutters.org/home/photoga...isepereira.jpg

http://www.jpmoth.org/~dmoth/Butterf...ra%20ganga.htm

I have not include pix of P. apostata because of a very similar species in the north, P. guttata which have cellspots.

TL Seow:
PS. Male P. apostata from Vietnam.
http://www.geocities.jp/ikokuhetabi/vietnam1004/q37.htm

[horace2264]

Thanks, Khew and Dr Seow for the skipper ID.
We have the voucher specimen this time as physical evidence of its existence in Singapore.

[Commander]

That's great, Horace. I recall that the first evidence of this species was by Victor Hitchins, surprisingly taken at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station!

[horace2264]

That's great, Horace. I recall that the first evidence of this species was by Victor Hitchins, surprisingly taken at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station!

When was that? Did it happen before I join BC?

[horace2264]

Encountered another UFO skipper at the same site.
The attached pics show both sides of the butt.

[Psyche]

You have another Parnara male.
Unfortunately it is very worn.
It is hard to say whether it is apostata or ganga.

TL Seow : Cheers.

[Commander]

When was that? Did it happen before I join BC?

Not too long ago. This image was sent to me by Victor Hitchins, who shot it at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station's garden on 6 Sep 2011. I didn't think too much about it then, but had filed it under a Parnara. Seow, what's your view of this fella?

[horace2264]

Khew, I found the thread in 2011 in which you posted the pic above, and Dr Seow already replied then that it was a Parnara apostata.