Skippers ID clarification in Singapore

[sabafish]

Hi Dr. Seow,

Appreciate if you could help me verify my IDs for the following skippers.


1a. Potanthus omaha

14 Nov 2021_USRP.jpg

1b. Potanthus omaha

DSC_0358.jpg

2a. Borbo cinnara

7 Oct_USRP.jpg

2b. Borbo cinnara

DSC_0371.jpg

3. Telicota besta

6 Dec 2021_Seletar farmway a.jpg6 Dec 2021_Seletar farmway b.jpg

4. I am unable to get further than Telicota sp.

21 Oct_UPRP.jpg

Thank you!

[Psyche]

1a. Should be correct as P. omaha.

1b Probably P. ganda variant.
Confirmation: Male P. ganda. Note HW marginal zone not crossed by significantly darken veins as in P. omaha.


The typical forms of both species are identifiable but intermediates & crosses exist.

P. omaha. Dull ochreous, veins more distinctly dark dusted.
https://i1097.photobucket.com/albums.../RIMG26722.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...obby%20Mun.jpg
https://a4.pbase.com/g4/25/686825/2/...1.Buz1tBHC.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...se_site_01.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potant..._Singapore.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O8gFkmT2t...28TBC%2529.jpg
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.ama.../original.jpeg



P. ganda. More orangey ;Veins typically not dark dusted , generally heavier shading.
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.ama.../original.jpeg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1T4ajMPu...25286%2529.jpg
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1337/...ac5c42d89d.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ht4NZzQND..._underside.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dEQvLGTcj...lt_BTVC_01.jpg
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo...7/original.jpg
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.ama...5/original.jpg

Intermediate . More lightly P. ganda.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ew9ztkIk...thus-ganda.jpg

[Psyche]

2a Pelopidas agna.


2b. Borbo cinnara.

In Pelopidas occassionally the HW cellspot may be lost or obscure.


Pelopidas agna.
Pelopidas have longer antennae, w2ith narrower club.
FW 3 subapical spots less arcuate .
P. agna more uniformly brown
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hw681ALm5F...ded+Swift+.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/---kNw2cMz...A_male_05a.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQNuynda7...A_male_06b.jpg


P. mathias have greyer & 'dirty' ground colour.
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NQjrfm7_w...enedict_01.jpg


Borbo cinnara.
Shorter antennae with thicker, stubbier clubs.
Subapical spots more arcuate.
HW typically three spots , spots 2, 3, & 6.
Ground tinged green, face & chest whiter.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jMZu5Yy4Y...ederick_01.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check..._female_01.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaVjdL_FAM...lt_Khew_01.jpg

[Psyche]

3. Telicota besta male.


4. Telicota besta female.


Telicota besta. FW spots 4 & 5 more or less aligned.
Only the face paler.
Male with raised veins usually lightly dark dusted.
Male brand set nearer inner margin of black space ,where the triangular orang patch is.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-BjVfqOI...male_up_01.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EcRIOq2iv...t_male_-04.jpg

Female.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEM0FaXJU..._female_01.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqK3ID-7Ml...sta%2Bbina.jpg



Female of T. colon similar but spots 4 & 5 small, distorted & staggered out.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grsw9HIBWI...n%2Bstinga.jpg
https://static.inaturalist.org/photo.../original.jpeg
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.ama...6/original.jpg




TL Seow: Cheers.

[sabafish]

Thanks Dr Seow for the explanations!

Would this then by P. omaha?

Would you consider the veins in this photo to be dark dusted?

DSC_0549.jpg

Thanks!

[Psyche]

Yes. I would say they are P. omaha.
At least the HW veins continue as dark dusted crossing the marginal zone, to the margin.
Ideally the upperside HW would be available for confirmation.
Perhaps some gene introgression (hybrid element) in the male.
The female is more obvious comparing with typical P. ganda females.
P. ganda.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ap54Ani6S...tanthus-sp.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_HuBihng..._underside.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...t_Adult_02.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[sabafish]

Hi Dr Seow,

Seeking your assistance to ID the following skippers. As the forum seemed to not be functioning properly for me on web, please access the iNat links to view the photos.

Thank you!

1) Telicota besta? as there seemed to be dark dusting on HW wings.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181036284

2) Pelopidas agna?
uniform brown colour and larger than P. mathias.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539431

3) Telicota besta?
Quite orange but based on the male brand drawing it seemed to resemble more to T. besta.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539441

4) Pelopidas sp.

Initial impression is P. conjuctus but the FW spots doesnt look to be much larger than HW spot? So probably P. agna?

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539446

5) Pelopidas agna?

Uniform brown and larger than typical P. mathias.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539447

6) Pelopidas mathias?
Dirty mix of grey and brown.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539453

7) Telicota sp.

Rather orange but probably leaning towards T. besta.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181540099

[Psyche]

Post 104.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181036284
1.Female Telicota besta.
Dull colour ;veins dark-dusted.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539431
2. Female Pelopidas agna.
Uniform ochreous brown.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539441
3. Telicota besta male.
Note brand nearer the triangular orange patch in space 2 than the main band.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-BjVfqOI...male_up_01.jpg


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539446
4. Male Pelopidas agna.
Note some FW spots are visible, & are small & not yellow.
Male & female P. conjunctus.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...lt_Khew_03.jpg
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-c...s-1080x675.jpg


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539447
5. Female Pelopidas agna.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181539453
6. Male Pelopidas agna.
FW is rather tattered & worn .HW colour unoform.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181540099
7. Male Telicota besta.
Fairly typical, with raised veins & dark linings.



TL Seow: CHeers.
PS. P. mathias & agna males with upperside confirmation.

P. mathias males.
UpF spots 2 & 3 quadrate ; Underside with dirty uneven shadings.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...d8457890-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...d8457890-2.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...a966070e-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...a966070e-3.jpg


P. agna males.
UpF spots 2 & 3 narrow; Underside uniform brown, without dirty shadings.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...4fb1355a-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...4fb1355a-3.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...36d28b93-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/si...36d28b93-2.jpg

[sabafish]

Hi Dr Seow,

Could you help to verify the following 2 skippers please.

Thank you!

1) Potanthus trachala?

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641821

2) Caltoris sp. Maybe C. bromus?

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641820

[Psyche]

Post 106.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641821
1. Potanthus trachala. Female on the left )greyer).
Note FW spots 4 & 5 are only connected above & below by the spikes to the other.
HW upper block of the band projected outwards.


https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641820
2. Caltoris bromus male.

Three species have more prominent pale areas on the antennal shafts.

Caltoris bromus
FW typically with two large subapical spots ;upper cellspot also large.
HW dark brown & nearly the same tone as FW.
Female paler, with HW spots 2 & 3.
Male.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163945647


Caltoris cahira.
FW with large subapical spots (2 usually) & upper cellspot.
HW dark chocolate brown without red tone contrasting with FW.
Male.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183638559
Female.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7l1dr3n_g...ris+bromus.jpg


Caltoris cormasa.
FW subapical spots small two or often three. Upper cellspot small.
HW heavily overlaid with redbrown scales.
Redder tone than in all other species.
Males.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151597328
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/162264663
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176612106
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178143673
Note subapical spots are small. Less red example.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184641828
Females.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147253163
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173170595
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/173170576

Caltoris malaya
Pale area on the antennae weak or none.
FW subapical spots usually two. Cellspot usually none ,ocassionally a tiny one.
male rusty brown, female more ochreous.
Male. Note front antenna no pale area.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/133445751
Female.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/161212993
With a tiny upper cellspot but only on the underside.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/181903883

Other confusion.
Baoris species.
FW subapical spots reduced.
Upper cellspot may be crescentic.
Antennae mostly black.
HW may have aq pale area at cellend.
[B]Abdomen noticeably banded.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165866621
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151120606

Female probably B. farri.
Full complement of spots, black antennae, banded abdomen.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153765692


Male Quedara monteithi.
No FW spot, bulging palpi (labial palps).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164372780



TL Seow: Cheers.