An interesting Drupadia from Khao Luang (Nakhon Si Thammarat, peninsular Thailand)

[Angiud]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48187458966_fbe031d7b5_c.jpg


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48187494831_2f132f143d_c.jpg



As you can see looks like a Drupadia theda, but with slight differences, like a darker underside apical area, tail completely black with only white tips and the very small size compared with a normal theda.

Just a dwarf theda? Some clue make me think about Drupadia niasica scudderi or biranta, but not so much data available to be sure.

[Psyche]

You do have Drupadia niasica.

1st is the size difference .D. theda FW >14mm (C&P4) 17-20mm (Fleming). D. niasica 11.5-13 mm (C&P4) , 12-14mm (Fleming)

2nd Doherty described the type specimen of scudderi which he states the tail is chiefly black except at the tip; underside much as in thesmia (D. theda).
https://archive.org/stream/JournalAsiaticS58ptAsia#page/426/mode/1up

3rd. IN C&P4 page 303 the key states the female niasica has the underside apical area browner than theda .


Your 2nd pic is obviously a female, & so has to be D. niasica.


I presume from the location it is ssp. biranta.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Angiud]

Thank you, Dr. Slow! :cheers: How do you ID as a female?

BTW first and second pictures are the same specimen

[Psyche]

Thank you, Dr. Seow! :cheers: How do you ID as a female?

BTW first and second pictures are the same specimen

Can be quite tough to ID gender in field shots because of perspective distortion.

Male :FW outer (distal) margin straight ; palpi a bit shorter , the upper black portion & the lower white portion of about the same length.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Drupadia%20theda%20thesmia/Dark%20posy%201%20270508.jpg
https://besgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/Dark-Posy.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yzw2AzY2du4/R-plme1iF0I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/36agm4x7ecI/s400/Dark+Posy+2.jpg

Female: FW outer margin partly rounded; Palpi longer, the black portion longer than the lower white portion.
https://wanderingbutterflyeffect.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/6a0100a801ee89000e0137a4eea567860c.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/59/3e/0b593e3cefd1c5f20829f883d30f39fa.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Drupadia%20ravindra%20moorei/CP_adult_04.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.