Prosotas pia or P. nora

[DaveChiangMai]

Image 1 below shows a Prosotas sp. from Tat Mok, nc Thailand. It looks sufficiently different to the usual P. nora encountered in Thailand that I think this should be P. pia.

I have read a similar thread on butterfly circle where ID of pia was discussed
http://www.butterflycircle.com/showthread.php?13878-Is-Prosotas-pia-pia-present-in-Singapore

Several things I specifically note about this image are the white, upper edge of the outermost discal band (both upperwing and underwing), is notably less jagged than seen in nora in Thailand. and the general colouration is much greyer than I have seen in nora in Thailand that always seem to have a distinct buff or brown cast.

I also attach (images 2 and 3) a couple of typical P. nora from e. Thailand for comparison.

Image 1. P. pia? Tat Mok.
24831

Image 2. P. nora Khao Soi Dao
24832

Image 3. P. nora Khao Soi Dao
24833

[Psyche]

The shape of the FW postdiscal band varies so I am not sure if it has some value in ID.
However, one of the P. pia have an identical band.
The important clue are the submarginal lunules & the marginal spots.

Prosotas nora ardates.
1. Submarginal lunules darker & sharper than the marginal spots or at least of equal sharpness.
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Prosotas-nora-1080x675.jpg
South India do not have P. pia.
http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ProsotasNora/ProsotasNora_RohitGirotra_ad797.jpg
http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ProsotasNora/ProsotasNora_RohitGirotra_ad799.jpg
http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/ProsotasNora/03ProsotasNora_KrushnameghKunte_ai425.jpg


Prosotas pia marginata.
Submarginal lunules much faded & fainter & more obscure than the marginal spots.
This is more evident on the HW .
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDY_8ktvVv4/UoihhR8qRFI/AAAAAAAAMpw/rd7lFO6z8ro/s1600/HFH9374-Prosotas+pia+marginata.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4503/37566391576_4a293d2c30_b.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eds5-L78IdU/VGIMaT86aPI/AAAAAAAAQiw/RNYm94uuCJw/s1600/HFH_5666-Prosotas-pia-marginata.jpg
female
http://www.samuibutterflies.com/02_images/linkbuttons/butterflies/lycaenidae/prosotaspia/underside.jpg


1. Prosotas pia marginata.

2, & 3 .Prosotas nora ardates.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the confirmation and explanations.