Request ID for this Arhopala please

[Tai LA]

Taken in Selangor

https://i.postimg.cc/ppsPfgHX/s11.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ppsPfgHX)

[Psyche]

Arhopala silhetensis.

The wide spacing between the bands is typical
HW postdiscal spots 6 & 7 are usually sinuous but may be variously shaped.
HW band completely dislocated at vein 2.
FW costal spot 10 usually present (absent here).
Typical
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20silhetensis%20adorea/Sylhet%20Oakblue%202%20-%20horace.jpg
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-sylhetensis-1080x725.jpg

The two females here have straight-sided HW spots 6 & 7.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/82240001.html


TL Seow: Cheers.
Typical.

[Tai LA]

Thank you so much, Dr Seow! A lifer for me!

[atronox]

I don't think this is silhetensis, the wing shape and general appearance doesn't match and the lack of a tornal lobe on the hindwing should indicate that this is a member of the alea subgroup

[Psyche]

Admittedly there were some doubts right from the start with this individual.

However, I went through the cleander group ,including the alea subgroup before concluding.

The complete dislocation of the HW band at vein2 & the arrangement of the FW upper four postdiscal spots put it in the cleander group.
So it has to be a member of the cleander group. whether subgroup cleander or subgroup alea.

Here is the analysis.

1. Most field shots of A. silhetensis do not show a protruding HW tornal lobe. eg.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzo8wjfyCsM/SABNFVemV_I/AAAAAAAABCI/rj8yYv7GDt0/s320/ASA_Annotated.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzo8wjfyCsM/SAAVFlemVmI/AAAAAAAAA_A/YSH7ITublEc/s400/ASA_Female_2A.jpg
https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-sylhetensis-1080x675.jpg

2. The dislocation of the HW band at vein 2 is typically wide in the cleander subgroup & close in the alea subgroup.
3 The 'V' spot tend to be better formed in cleander subgroup.
4. HW postdiscal spots 6 & 7 tends to be quadrate, low in tyhe alea subgroup, & tall & narrow in A. silhetensis.


Of the members in the alea subgroup, only A. aroa is stated to have the bands widely spaced.
A. aroa have HW spot 6 typically wide & rounded at the top & narrow at the bottom.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-aroa-1.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4/82180001.html
See C&P4 plate 67 fig 9.
See Borneo Lycaenid fig. L211.

Typical alea subgroup member, probably A. sublustris.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20athada%20athada/Vinous%20Oakblue%20-%20Terry%20Ong.jpg

You could still be right it might be an alea member, but without further insight I'll leave as it is.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[atronox]

Thanks, Dr Seow. The alea subgroup is very tough and i always find myself stuck at generic level and unable to proceed further, which is very annoying especially when you can't tell if the variation in different individuals is intraspecific or a species-level sort of difference