A couple of Potanthus from northern Thailand

[DaveChiangMai]

These two individuals are from 1,100 m, on Doi Suthep, north Thailand.

I have tried to narrow down these two, but as usual with Potanthus skippers it's a headache with some features fitting but others not.

The first two images are the same individual, and I think it is P. mingo - but could be pava, nesta or omaha)? There appears to be no black veins on the spots of the hindwing.

The third image I think is P. omaha?

Any comments gratefully received. With thanks.

Image 1.
26875

Image 2.
26876

Image 3.
26877

[Psyche]

They are probably Potanthus mingo.
Potanthus is extremely difficult .
An UnH is always helpful.

Salient point. male with a broad black band at abdominal end.

The folowing have the abdominal end yellow or merely with a thin black line in the male.
They can be eliminated.
They are, P. omaha, ganda, pava, confucius.

The following have spots 4 & 5 fully detached , or detached between spot 5 & 6, & little overlap between spot 4 & 3.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92730010.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92720001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92830001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92860001.html


P. nesta have the HW band upper margin almost straight & level.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92800001.html

P. pseudomaesa & sita have very little overlap of spots 4 & 5 with spot 6 above & spot 3 below.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92740010.html
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/Potanthus/PotanthusSp_RohitGirotra_ak402.jpg

http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92760001.html


P. rectifasciatus have FW band straight & HW spot 6 large & elongate.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92700001.html

P. serina have spot 5 narrower than spot 4; HW with spot 6 on the inside corner.
https://www.singapore.biodiversity.online/images/speciesThumbnailImages/high/3aa63866-791f-ca86-1201-8fe048c97de9.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Potanthus%20serina/Potanthus-serina-Bobby.jpg

P. juno often have 2 subapical spots,spot 8 often missing; spot 5 narrower than spot 4.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92750001.html
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Potanthus-juno.jpg

P. mingo
FW with good overlap between spot 3 & 4, variable between spot 5 & 6.
HW band veins not blacken, Underside with heavy dark spots usually.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92810010.html
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFtROXZYiZI/W_ErxDkE91I/AAAAAAAAUA0/vigPklu01Zk8ED1PVNUUuA9YRNAfy41dQCLcBGAs/s1600/HFH_3107%2BPotanthus%2Bmingo.JPG



TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for these very useful summaries. A steep learning curve these Potanthus.