ID requested for Unknown caterpiller

[butterflyrajib]

GREETINGS FROM INDIA!!!!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am sending herewith some early stages images of unknown hesperiid butterfly. Specimen collected from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. You are requested to check the same and give us the ID. (I guessed its a Pelopidas species but not sure for which butterfly).

Regards,
Rajib Dey

[Psyche]

Caterpillar identification is particularly difficult because so little is known about them.

However the head markings are nearly identical to the pale form of the 5th instar of Hyarotis adrastus.
The facial triangle is small & above are two pale parallel bands.
The mouth parts are flanked by bulges like bulging cheeks.
The dark form has the central zone above the triangle dark brown.
https://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-history-of-tree-flitter.html
https://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2013/08/life-history-of-tree-flitter.html

H. adrastus in India showing only the dark 5th instar.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/#!/sp/592/Hyarotis-adrastus


The pupa is different though.


My guess is probably another Hyarotis.
The next commonest in India is H. microstictum.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/#!/sp/2126/Hyarotis-microstictum



TL Seow: Cheers.

[butterflyrajib]

Thank you Sir.I am waiting for its eclosing.

Regards,
Rajib Dey

[butterflyrajib]

Dr. T. L. Seow Sir,
Today adult butterfly closed. 04 different body parts enclosed. Please suggest the species name.26577265782657926580

[Psyche]

Post 4.


Caltoris bromus female.
Salient points.
FW with two cellspot the upper one smaller.
FW space 1b with a small upper spot & a large lower spot.
UnH with two spots in space 2, & 3, & an additional tiny one in space 4.




Caltoris bromus.
FW with two cellspot the upper one always smaller. Subapical spots typically two.
FW male sometimes & female always with a lower spot in space 1b, a tiny upper spot may be present in the female.
UnF with a pale diffuse spot in space 1b.
UnH often with spot in space 2 & 3 in the female.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93320001.html
Females Taiwan.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6021/6191990971_d7f055cc62_z.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oqPwz9jNBk/Tq6xzeoYHLI/AAAAAAAAEnE/RQ43KEXfh0o/s1600/H34-2-1.jpg
Females Hong Kong.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/30585551@N08/18806893565/
https://static.stheadline.com/stheadline/news_res/2011/07/18/20393/i_640x485_862441401.jpg


Caltoris canaraica.DSF with whitish scalings.
FW with two cellspot the upper often larger (Evans states the upper is always larger).
FW without a lower spot in space 1b in the male.
Usually three subapical spots of equal size.
UnF without a large diffuse spot in space 1b.
UnH with pale shadings in DSF.
UnH spots 2 & 3 present in both sexes.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/CaltorisCanaraica/01CaltorisCanaraica_SKalesh_ag023.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2018/709_33461-829-5b95500854feb-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sp/987/Caltoris-canaraica


TL Seow: Cheers.

[butterflyrajib]

Thanks a lot Sir. I am just asking one thing for my knowledge. If I go for journal publication on about it then is this required for genital dissection to approved the specimen, please guide. Indian Entomologist suggest me that Sir W.H. Evans (1949) states that as per genital based.

Regards,
Rajib Dey

[Psyche]

Thanks a lot Sir. I am just asking one thing for my knowledge. If I go for journal publication on about it then is this required for genital dissection to approved the specimen, please guide. Indian Entomologist suggest me that Sir W.H. Evans (1949) states that as per genital based.

Regards,
Rajib Dey


In general genitalia dissection is needed to confirm the identity.
This is only if you have a male specimen.
It is fortunate you have a female with the right markings.


Note only three species of Caltoris have the UnH with spots in space 2 & 3.

Caltoris kumara ;FW without cellspots ; UnH spots 2 & 3 only present in some females.

Caltoris bromus FW with 2 cellspots the upper smaller. UnH spots 2 & 3 only present in some females.

Caltoris canaraica; FW with 2 cellspots the upper typically larger; UnH spots 2 & 3 present in both male & female.


C. kumara is out, without any cellspots.

C. canaraica have larger upper cellspot , & is also confined to southern India.
Pair showing both sexes with HW spots 2 & 3.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2020/83_51119-235-5e64cd0169b65-1.jpg

Kolkata is in the range of C. bromus, which is from Yunnan , SE Asia to Northeast India.


I am very confident it is Caltoris bromus female.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[butterflyrajib]

Very happy to see your effort and sharp aound. Now its OK for me.Thanks again.

[Psyche]

Correction: Female Caltoris canaraica.
Apart from other things the female C. bromus is not known to have more than two spots in space 2 & 3, & these spots are relatively small.


This specimen is well away from its normal range in South India , which have cause much confusion.


TL Seow: Cheers.