2 Skippers for ID

[Blue Jay]

Shot these 2 skippers yesterday during lunch. Need some ID confirmation.
I love this nectar!;P (Yellow Palm Dart???)
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/kingcrow28/RIMG01212_edited-1.jpg
Small Branded Swift???
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/kingcrow28/RIMG01202_edited-1.jpg

Thanks.:cheers:

[Psyche]

Both IDs are correct, Brian.

Notice in the Yellow Palm Dart(female here) the hindwing band is a deeper orange than the ground colour and there is always a black spot on top.

In the Small branded Swift (male here) note the arrangement of the spots with one inside the cell. The underside is shaded grey.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Blue Jay]

Thanks, Uncle Seow.
I find it quie interesting. Other than the Plain Palm Dart, how do you differentiate male and female skippers so confidently? :thinking: :hmmm:

[Psyche]

Thanks, Uncle Seow.
I find it quie interesting. Other than the Plain Palm Dart, how do you differentiate male and female skippers so confidently? :thinking: :hmmm:

Good question, Brian. Knowing the sex or gender helps in the ID.

In the case of the Yellow Palm Dart, look at the 2 spots that jut outwards on the forewing ( space 4 & 5 ).
In the male they are very narrow and the upper one is rather small.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist%20V2/CI/mugshots/Cephrene%20trichopepla/CT_male_Horace.jpg
In the female they are usually broader and the upper is not so small.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist%20V2/CI/mugshots/Cephrene%20trichopepla/CT_female_Horace.jpg

Notice the abdominal tip in the male is sort of square-cut while in the female it is a slanting cut with a notch at the lower end.

The Small-branded Swift have the abdominal tip of the male.

TL Seow:cheers: