Request for ID

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Please id the following. All photos taken in Assam, India.
1.
27490

2a.
27492
2b.
27491
2a and 2b same specimen.

Thanks

[Psyche]

Both are Caltoris species.

Caltoris is very diffricult as it is difficult to judge the colour in photos.

Both could be one species but I think they are different.


1. Probably Caltoris bromus.

The FW have two prominent cellspots.
Spot 3 (largest in pic) is also rather large.

The colouration suggest C. cormasa but cormasa have no or a tiny upper cellspot. Subapical spots often three.
The UnH is also strongly reddish ,contrasting with the FW.
Males 2, & Female
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I3Q8EsOFIHI/VGQJs3DC9tI/AAAAAAAAfXk/VvOl7fB3Mx8/s1600/CC_adult_Benjamin_01.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7t4k7FNWto/VAmxnaf6kHI/AAAAAAAAP84/mzvRAqFZVxo/s1600/HFH_3719-Caltoris%2Bcormasa.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ET0KyvY9PPY/VJQs4PFCZ0I/AAAAAAAASlc/WgbpuPWOIF8/s1600/DSC_0341.JPG
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93340001.html

Of the species with two prominent cellspots are;

Caltoris bromus.
UnH dark brown overlaid with ochreous scalings.
Males ,Singapore.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/SunnyChir/Bin/Sunny-Chir-1D4-7107--25_08_2014_zpsd5aebfd1.png
https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Share/Sunny-Chir-1D3--28_07_2012---7140.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93320001.html


Caltoris cahira austeni closely resembles C. bromus. but UnH is typically dark chocolate.
Males P. Malaysia & Taiwan.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gancw1/21680122591
https://content.eol.org/data/media/9e/4f/ee/854.taieol_nid_47137.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93300010.html


Caltoris sirius sirius. FW spot 3 is relatively small.
UnH is chocolate. Cilia whitish.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93280001.html


Caltoris brunnea.
UnH dark purplw brown, no red tone.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93260010.html





2. Probably Caltoris confusa.
FW with two cellspots; spot 3 small: UnF without a diffuse spot in space 1b. Most spots reduced in size.

The lack of any spot in space 1b UnF is very important.

It immediately ruled out species in which the male have spot there eg C. bromus, sirius, chimdroa.
Also no brand mark to suggest brunnea.

This leaves two species C. cahira & confusa.
UnH is too light to suggest C. cahira.

Evans states C. confusa often have reduced spots especially upper cellspot & spot 3, variable.

Most of the Caltoris can be viewed in the pdf article by Hao Huang.
Note museum specimens are old & dark.
https://archive.org/details/atalanta-42-193-200



TL Seow: Cheers.

[Psyche]

Field shots of Caltoris, cormasa , bromus, brunnea, plebeia, & sirius sirius can be seen here in this article on Tripura butterflies.
Download the pdf.
https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/67305


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Dear Dr. Seow,

Thanks a lot for your help with the id pointers and for the link to the paper.

I request to help me further as I dug up more of similar looking species from old files.

3a.
27495

3b.
27496

3a and 3b same specimen and from same location as 1 and 2. Seems to be C bromus to me.

4.
27497

5.
27498

6.
27499

4, 5 and 6 from others places in Assam, unfortunately, I don't ve the upper or view of cell spots. Kindly see if they have enough information to be ided.

I have few more from Meghalaya, but perhaps after these.

Thanking you once again

[Psyche]

3 a & b.

Female Caltoris bromus.
The 1st pic shows the cleft in the abdominal end of the female.
All the spots, in particular the cellspots are large, but this is normal in the female.
UnH is moderate brown without redness.
Female may or may not have white spots on the UnH.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93320001.html

Probable Caltoris bromus males.
Note UnF left with faint spot 1b.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/1611_65198-769-5f4f5e290e3d3-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/1611_65198-769-5f4f5e290e3d3-1.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2020/1611_69137-970-5f6cc52fd48f3-1.jpg


Caltoris brunnea. Two prominent cellspots.
Eliot state UnH is dark purple brown.
Bangladesh. MisIDed as C. kumara.
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/5695277/large.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93260010.html



Probable C. sirius sirius male & female.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2020/1514_60624-393-5eee5e6d92cc6-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2020/1514_59671-739-5edba86340d5c-1.jpg

[Psyche]

4.Female Caltoris kumara moorei.
The FW is raised high enough to show no upper cellspot ,indicating there is totally no cellspot.
The small abdominal cleft & the 3 subapical spots indicate a female.
The only species in your area without cellspot & a plain brown UnH is C. kumara.
UnH may or mya have white spots in the female.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93350010.html

Probable female C. kumara moorei.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/1999_84271-124-60ddd1e2196bb-2.jpg

Evans state female usually two spots in space 1b UpF.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2022/1611_70444-608-5f79b01d292aa-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2022/1611_70444-608-5f79b01d292aa-2.jpg

[Psyche]

5. Probable Caltoris cahira austeni male.
This is also remarkably like Caltoris cormasa. Upper cellspot varies & can be tiny in bromus, cahira.

Colouration can varies a lot in photos.
C. cormasa 3 males & 1 female.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjKxWVHrQmg/VGbOal2gmXI/AAAAAAAAfZE/UXtIkUB2kE0/s1600/CC_adult_CherHern_01.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8EbM65dWqtE/VGOHm1rac4I/AAAAAAAAfWc/YI8Gb6HKjcQ/s1600/CC_adult_03.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0EK80AsaR7g/SXxppMm-U0I/AAAAAAAAARQ/mv3fzR0dw2c/s400/DSC_0170+Caltoris+sp.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/5258/5427260282_cd67d64c22_b.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2022/1514_57177-806-5eb5709fb25df-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2022/1514_57177-806-5eb5709fb25df-2.jpg


Caltoris cahira austeni Taiwan 2males, 1 female.
https://www.facebook.com/152730515401673/photos/%E6%94%BE%E8%B8%B5%E7%8F%82%E5%BC%84%E8%9D%B6-dark-swift-%E5%AD%B8%E5%90%8Dcaltoris-cahira%E7%89%A0%E7%9A%84%E7%9C%BC%E7%9D%9B%E5%8E%9 F%E6%98%AF%E9%BB%91%E8%89%B2%E7%9A%84%E5%9B%A0%E7% 8F%BE%E5%A0%B4%E5%A4%AA%E6%9A%97%E7%94%A8%E4%BA%86 %E9%96%83%E7%87%88%E6%89%80%E4%BB%A5%E8%AE%8A%E6%8 8%90%E4%BA%86%E7%B4%85%E8%89%B2/198114564196601/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/137111202@N08/44295780121
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/7969810082_4448f3ce8b_z.jpg

[Psyche]

6. Caltoris tenuis ?male. Correction :Probably Baoris pagana. 2nd Correction: Likely Caltoris cahira male.
The underside have greenish scales.

Only two species have this.

Caltoris tenuis. FW with two cellspots ,FW broad.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93310001.html
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Caltoris-tenuis.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltoris_cahira_austeni#/media/File:Close_wing_position_of_Caltoris_cahira_austen i_Moore,_1883_-_Austen's_swift_WLB_DSC_4180.jpg


Caltoris philippina.
FW with no cellspot, narrower, margin more excavate.
Surprisingly found in S. India & Sundaland.
Singapore.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUpUIge8ARc/VVgQs0A2W2I/AAAAAAAAhcE/G5GhTdkiJzY/s400/CP_adult_field_male_01.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Caltoris%20philippina%20philippina/Caltoris-philippina-philippina--Sunny-Chir-4237.png
India.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2022/153_13961-309-57deaed14f472-3.jpg




TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Dear Dr Seow,

Thank you for your reply.

One clarification for No 6. Caltoris tenuis have FW with two cellspots while my specimen does not seem to have.

And few more for identification.

7.
27500

8.
27501

9.
27502

Thanks

[Psyche]

"One clarification for No 6. Caltoris tenuis have FW with two cellspots while my specimen does not seem to have."

Except for C. canaraica & perhaps C. brunnea, all the Caltoris species have forms in which the upper cellspot may be missing.
This one have a faint small whitish spot in the correct position.
The main feature is the greenish scales best seen when enlarged.
Also noticeable is the more prominent black margins on both wings.
Compare.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Close_wing_position_of_Caltoris_cahira_austeni_Moo re%2C_1883_-_Austen%27s_swift_WLB_DSC_4180.jpg


Greenish scales can be difficult to see in photos.
eg. C. philippina.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKpJ0RdKM-g/VVgQ0Ur9lwI/AAAAAAAAhcM/YslMd-rnvOg/s1600/Caltoris-philippina-philippina--Sunny-Chir-4237.png
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUpUIge8ARc/VVgQs0A2W2I/AAAAAAAAhcE/G5GhTdkiJzY/s400/CP_adult_field_male_01.jpg

Borbo cinnara.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyExhmU1An0/U10SaCXnwlI/AAAAAAAAdQY/dJmnpGtqhiM/s1600/FS_male_adult_unds_01_c.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w--ngH74-8s/U1_X9xI6-pI/AAAAAAAAdUw/wYPH5nHDJhc/s1600/FS_adult_flower_01.jpg

[Psyche]

7 Caltoris bromus male.
C. bromus have the HW & apical third of the FW of nearly the same tone.
In C. cahira the UnH is much darker brown.
Subapical spots usually two in the male but three here.

Females of C. bromus may have white spots on UnH space 2 & 3.
Females Taiwan & H.K.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53747735@N08/6192509272/in/album-72157626835303011/
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBZKz4K8jynFORHx3LFUlHwLF1cIKJM X1L2g&usqp=CAU


This looks very similar to 2 (which should be C. confusa), but confusa have reduced nos. of spots & the male would not have 3 full subapical spots.

[Psyche]

8. Caltoris tenuis. Correction : probably Baoris pagana.
This have the same greenish scalings as in 6 ,but the black marginal line is not so strong but distinct.
The HW have block the position of the upper cellspot.

[Psyche]

9 Caltoris kumara moorei. male.

The FW is raised enough to show no upper cellspot.
Male of C. kumara mnore often have 3 subapical spots.
UnH is uniformly deep brown variable.

Female. FW have 1 spot in space 1b UpF & 2 spots in same space UnF.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/523_89889-796-6165709493143-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/523_89889-796-6165709493143-2.jpg




TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Thanks a lot Dr. Seow for your clarification on Caltoris tenuis. One of the reason for my doubt was I did not find Caltoris tenuis in any of the references I have for India and thought it has not been reported from India. If that be the case, we can try to get few specimens and get it reported.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

The last few I could dug out from my files. Kindly have a look.

10. Caltoris kumara (Hope I m correct)
27503

11.
27504

12.
27505

13. Not sure if this is even CAltoris
27506

Thanking you
Aomoa

[Psyche]

Thanks a lot Dr. Seow for your clarification on Caltoris tenuis. One of the reason for my doubt was I did not find Caltoris tenuis in any of the references I have for India and thought it has not been reported from India. If that be the case, we can try to get few specimens and get it reported.


I didn't realised C. tenuis is not recorded from India.
Your concern is understandable.
However, I am quite confident here.

1. Caltoris tenuis is one of only two Caltoris species with greenish scales.

2. The author of this great shot resides in Kolkata.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltoris_cahira_austeni#/media/File:Close_wing_position_of_Caltoris_cahira_austen i_Moore,_1883_-_Austen's_swift_WLB_DSC_4180.jpg

3. I have located another image of this species from Paschimbanga.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2014/141_2282-860-548c1919cda66-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2014/141_2281-3-548c18b07458a-1.jpg

[Psyche]

1o. Undoubtably Caltoris kumara moorei.
UnF space 1b is unmarked, thus excluding Baoris & Caltoris plebeia.

Note male of ssp moorei have no UnH spot, & the female perhaps very rarely so.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93350010.html

In ssp kumara in S. India, both sexes have UnH spots, males sometimes.

[Psyche]

11. Baoris farri male.

The raised veins are typically seen in Baoris & hardly so in Caltoris.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/itchydogimages/7863317448

[Psyche]

12 is an enigma.

The UnH spots suggest Parnara but Parnara have short antennae with thick stubby clubs.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/1303_91656-110-61993dafafde4-1.jpg

Polytremis lubricans can also have reduced HW spots, but they are in line & UnF spots are always yellow.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2014/97_600-67-5439f6bc5e43e-3.jpg
https://thaibutterflies.com/project_tag/polytremis-lubricans/


It looks like Caltoris with extra HW spots.
The only species with several HW spots is Caltoris canaraica. Typically two UnH spots.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2019/184_40785-679-5cdb8d8d41c05-1.jpg

In wsf the whitish shading is obscure or even obsolete.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/CaltorisCanaraica/01CaltorisCanaraica_SKalesh_ag023.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/CaltorisCanaraica/02CaltorisCanaraica_SKalesh_ag028.jpg

[Psyche]

13 . Pelopidas assamensis male.
FW spots are always large v& white.
The HW spots may be so reduced that in this example only a tiny white dot in space 4 remains.

P. assamensis with reduced spots 3 males, 1 female.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/113_80146-195-6067479c4f849-3.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2017/641_20294-934-59cf456f784bc-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2021/287_81720-379-608438a7b0c48-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/233_4654-493-55093e0d6388d-1.jpg



TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Thanks a lot sir for all the clarifications. I have really learnt a lot. Its been an interesting journey, just like going for trips, getting new butterflies. I still have lots of unidentified skippers, for which I will be requesting your help.

Sincerely grateful,
Aomoa

[Psyche]

Correction : 6 & 8 are probably Baoris pagana. 2nd correction : 6 is likely to be a worn C. cahira.


This is far more difficult than I thought.
In carefully checking the various species I realised 6 & 8 could be mis-IDed.
{In zoom view, the black margin in image 6 is just a shadow line.)

Baoris pagana
FW cellspots merged or very close. Spots yellow.
Underside browner , UnH darker; cilia mostly yellow, deeper at tornus.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/97_5228-941-5524fe2a83db5-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/97_5228-941-5524fe2a83db5-3.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/97_5228-941-5524fe2a83db5-5.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/97_5228-941-5524fe2a83db5-6.jpg


http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/93240001.html


Caltoris tenuis.
FW with the cellspots well separated , Spots white.
Underside more uniformly dusted green, cilia pale greyish beige.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltoris_cahira_austeni#/media/File:Close_wing_position_of_Caltoris_cahira_austen i_Moore,_1883_-_Austen's_swift_WLB_DSC_4180.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2014/141_2282-860-548c1919cda66-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2014/141_2281-3-548c18b07458a-1.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2015/1_4782-264-550cee3983cef-1.jpg

TL Seow: Cheers.

PS. Caltoris aurociliata FW upper cellspot tiny or absent. Uniform brown, cilia bright yellow.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/2020/94_51423-465-5e6deb60d5e77-1.jpg

PS 2. There is a degree of uncertainty here as the cilia don't quite match that of B. pagana. Also B. pagana should always have an upper FW cellspot.

[Psyche]

Final Analysis.


The difficulty in identifying Caltoris is seen in 6 & 8.
When I said i was quite confident about Caltoris tenuisbeing present in India it does not now apply to 6 & 8.
What appear to be some greenish scales seem largely due to different light reflection.



http://www.butterflycircle.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27499&d=1645441824
6. FW with two large subapical spots whitish.
FW upper cellspot ? vestigial.
UnH dark than UnF.
This appear to be a worn male Caltoris cahira austeni
Typically C. cahira shows this cotrast.
2 males & 1 female Taiwan
https://content.eol.org/data/media/9e/4f/ee/854.taieol_nid_47137.jpg
https://insectaintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/%E6%94%BE%E8%B8%B5%E7%8F%82%E5%BC%84%E8%9D%B6-Caltoris-cahira-%E7%94%9F%E6%80%81%E7%85%A71.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/7969810082_4448f3ce8b_z.jpg


In C. bromus UnH is less dark shaded & often simialr to UnF in colour tone.
2 males & 1 female.
https://wanderingbutterflyeffect.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/caltoris-cahira-austeni.jpg
https://mybutterflycollection.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/dark-swift-caltoris-cahira-austeni-s.jpg?w=640
https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2813/9509360804_aec2551d54_b.jpg
Male Singapore.
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/60699155/large.jpg



http://www.butterflycircle.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=27501&d=1645554628
8. appeared to be correct as Baoris pagana/
FW with 3 full subapical spots. (Spots are distinctly yellow in UpF B. pagana)
The HW veins are also rather raised.


12 is still a puzzle.


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Thanks a lot Dr. Seow for digging so deep to help out. Much appreciate your effort and your knowledge.

Warm regards
Aomoa