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View Full Version : Mycalesis sp.



atronox
08-Sep-2011, 12:20 AM
Here's something i'm quite hesitant to ID and i'd appreciate it if anyone could assist in the ID.:) Thx.
Sry for the blur shot, it was rly far away.

Psyche
08-Sep-2011, 05:20 PM
The difficulties with Mycalesis is that individual variations meant that species can look very similar.
From the way the identation line runs only 3 spp. need be considered.
( 2 others perseus & perseoides have other features which can discount them immediately.)
The 3 are mineus, intermedia & visala.

M. mineus can be eliminated thus.
The identation is somewhat deeper with the lower arm more angled.
The submarginal white lines are not known to be broaden in our local race.
The 3 lower ocelli or eyespots (in space 1b,2 & 3) are almost perfectly in line.

This leaves 2, intermedia & visala.
In the past I had IDed such examples as visala because intermedia is not recorded in Singapore.
Now looking at it critically there is a case for intermedia.

For intermedia
Discal white band rather broad.
Indentation is a tad deeper (more pointy) than usually seen in visala.
Forewing have 3 spots, one a tiny satellite. (typically visala have at least 4 while intermedia have 2)
There is a greater disparity in the size of the hindwing spots than seen in visala.
M. intermedia is found in secondary growth areas.

For visala.
None of the above is absolute.
Only visala is recorded from Singapore.

It is not convincing enough to be intermedia. Particularly the indentation line should be more triangular, since only the wet season form should be expected.

TL Seow:cheers:

atronox
10-Sep-2011, 01:03 PM
Thank you Mr Seow for narrowing the possibilities.:)
I had a gut feeling that this was visala.