Two Parantica

[DaveChiangMai]

Two different Parantica butterflies I have a hard problem telling if they are P. melanurus or P. sitta. In colouration both appear to be intermediate between melanurus and sitta. My gut feeling is that both are P. melanurus, but could this be confirmed?

First image from Nam Nao (ne Thailand).
Second image from Khao Khitchakut (se Thailand) so could potentially be P. sita melanosticta.

Many thanks

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[Psyche]

1. Parantica sita sita.

2. Parantica melaneus.

P. sita :HW cell rather broad at 1/3 from the cellend ,overall the cell is club-like; adjacent window in space 2 broad.
Ssp sita usually have the narrow window near the upper margin large & prominent.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30140001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30140020.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30140010.html

P. melaneus.: HW cell narrowly elliptical; adjacent window in space 2 narrow.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30110001.html


TL Seow:Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks. Often wondered how to tell these apart!

[DaveChiangMai]

Reviewing the given criteria against other sita/melanura I have in my collection I find the 3 attached images potentially incorrect. I have these down as melanura (mainly based on dark colouration), but given the earlier comments I think the cell spot shapes indicate these are all E. sita?

First image from Doi Phu Kha
Second image from Khao Yai
Third image from Kanchanaburi (west Thailand)

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thanks

[Psyche]

Post 4.

Yes, they are all Parantica sita.
With the HW upper margin window long & prominent should all be ssp sita.

TL Seow :Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Thanks for the confirmation.