Some additional Arhopala species from s Thailand

[DaveChiangMai]

A few Arhopala species from central Peninsula Thailand I am having difficulties to identify.
Any assistance gratefully received.

All photographed around Phang-nga.

1) I think A. phaenops.
2) I think A, ariana or A. evansi.
3) Not sure. Either A. epimuta, A muta, or A. moolaiana.
4) Not at all sure. Cannot find a good match.

Image 1.
26257

Image 2.
26258

Image 3.
26259

Image 4.
26260

[atronox]

#1 Arhopala agrata binghami from the lack of costal spots on the forewing and the last costal spot of the post-discal band being very faint. Spots 6 and 7 on the hindwing are also unique. Also, the forewings are much more angular than the hindwings and this contrast gives it a striking appearance which can be seen here

#4 This one's interesting. I could be wrong but i think this has to be Arhopala delta because of the lack of costal spots on the forewing and the fact that it is tailed despite spots 6 and 7 on the hindwing being out of line. The only other species with these characters is A. allata which it is not because that species has more rectangular spots.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the feedback on those two. Having checked indeed #1 looks like agrata, although the race in southern Thailand should be the nominate according to the literature.

[Psyche]

1. Using the key this does sort of keyed out as A. agrata.
However A. agrata is quite consistent in appearance.
FW spot 9 obscure/absent HW spot 6 large trapezoid.
P. Thailand
https://thaibutterflies.com/Butterflies/arhopala-agrata/
Singapore.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0EK80AsaR7g/TOM6OmB6rdI/AAAAAAAADpM/6P8VWyrTkQk/s1600/DSC7123-Arhopala.jpg
P. Malaysia.
http://nlliew66butterflies.blogspot.com/2016/04/arhopala-agrata-agrata-de-niceville.html
Examples from Borneo are similar.

This one differs in the FW band being very narrow & the HW spot 6 differently shaped.
Possibly a variant or aberration.

2. A member of the alea subgroup, HW band completely dislocated at vein 2.
Either A. selta or phaenops.
Probably A. selta from the purple flush.
https://thaibutterflies.com/Butterflies/arhopala-selta/
http://thaibutterflies.com/project_tag/arhopala-phaenops/


3. A. moolaiana.
HW toothed at vein 2 & faint white dot at tornal cilia.
HW spot in space 1b broadly 'V' shaped. HW spot 6 large.
http://thaibutterflies.com/project_tag/arhopala-moolaiana/


4. Should be correct as A. delta.
The deciding factor is HW band is only partially dislocated at vein 2.
In the similarly marked A. lurida/atosia the band is comletely dislocated at vein 2.

A. delta.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_delta#/media/File:ArhopalaDeltaMUpUnAC1.jpg
A. allata.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_allata_suffusa#/media/File:ArhopalaAllataMUpUnAC1.jpg
A. lurida.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_lurida#/media/File:ArhopalaLuridaMUpUnAC1.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

With many thanks for the detailed replies.