Gary and Audrey certainly have an impressive collection of butterflies. For many of them, that is about the only way to have a good look at the upper wings.
The FW spots in space 2 & 3 are rounder. The FW cellend spot lacks the upper streak seen in I. vulgaris.
In profile shot a very useful ID feature is the width of the brown stripe of vein 1b at the inner margin.
It is narrow, leaving a broad white stripe in space 1a adjacent to it.
In vulgaris the brown vein 1b stripe is as wide as the white stripe of space 1a.
The brown stripe of vein 1a is fairly narrow in both spp. I. vulgaris for comparison. http://www.butterflycircle.com/check...obby%20Mun.jpg
In other regions the brown stripe of vein 1b in similis can be broader.
Ideopsis similis is larger and a clearer blue than I. vulgaris.
It is called the Blue Glassy Tiger in India & is certainly more deserving of this name.
It has made its way as far south as Selangor (for over a decade) & is probably in Johore by now.
Thank You Dr. Seow for the correction and the additional ID infor !!
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