Skipper ID please...

[Blue Nawab]

Really not good at identifying skipper...expert please help...
My guess is Full Stop Swift (Caltoris cormasa)

[Psyche]

With the spined legs, Caltoris is no longer in contention.
I assumed this is a largish skipper, and so it should be Baoris oceia or B. farri.
The forewing spotting is of little help.The lighter colour and sheen suggest this is B. farri.

I have not seen enough definitive examples of both to be able to tell them apart with confidence.

TL Seow

[Commander]

I also find that the Caltoris are also 'chubbier' in appearance, with shorter and rounder wings. This one seem to have more elongated forewings with a sharper apex. Although I don't think this observation is a reliable diagnostic feature to separate these brown skippers.

[Common Mime]

Once again, thank you very much on the detailed explanation, Dr Seow. I learnt a lot about skippers recently!

Is below criteria the key to differentiate a Caltoris and a Baoris?

With the spined legs, Caltoris is no longer in contension.

While I am looking at our checklist, I found out that only Bobby's photo of Caltoris cormasa seems to have no spined legs...

[Psyche]

Once again, thank you very much on the detailed explanation, Dr Seow. I learnt a lot about skippers recently!

Is below criteria the key to differentiate a Caltoris and a Baoris?


While I am looking at our checklist, I found out that only Bobby's photo of Caltoris cormasa seems to have no spined legs...

Do drop the dr tag. Please do not compare me with Dr. Kirton. In answer to your question, yes , only Baoris & Pelopidas in the Pelopidas Group of Genera ( called the Swifts ) have spined legs. I have only recently discovered this by sifting through the key for the genera.

TL Seow

[Common Mime]

Thanks for the clarification and sharing what you discovered recently. Now, I need to check on my old records.

Thanks, Seow.

[Commander]

While I am looking at our checklist, I found out that only Bobby's photo of Caltoris cormasa seems to have no spined legs...

Please drop this assumption, as Seow has pointed out that this is not necessarily a reliable criteria for field shots. Also, in weathered specimens, I've also noticed that the fine spines can also be damaged or cut off due to wear and tear.

[Psyche]

Please drop this assumption, as Seow has pointed out that this is not necessarily a reliable criteria for field shots. Also, in weathered specimens, I've also noticed that the fine spines can also be damaged or cut off due to wear and tear.

Khew is right of course. As I have stated on another thread, the statement that only Baoris & Pelopidas have spined legs is no longer valid or correct.


TL Seow

[Common Mime]

Noted with thanks, Mr Khew.

Please drop this assumption, as Seow has pointed out that this is not necessarily a reliable criteria for field shots. Also, in weathered specimens, I've also noticed that the fine spines can also be damaged or cut off due to wear and tear.

[Blue Nawab]

Thanks Dr Seow, Khew and Chee Ming for the suggestions and tips about skipper identification. Here's another shot of the skipper, should be Baoris sp., most possibly Baoris farri farri...