ID request for Skippers

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Requesting Id for these Halpe sp. All photographs taken in Meghalaya, India.

1. a.
27928

1. b. (same specimen of 1.a.)
27929

2.a.
27930

2.b.(same specimen of 2.a.)
27931

3.
27932

Regards
Aomoa

[Psyche]

1. Halpe knyvetti. Correction H. sikkima. The upper cellspot is smaller than spot 3.
1a. Antennal club above with a pale yellow ring below the apiculus .
3a. UnH without white band.
5a. UnH without purple gloss.
5b Upper cellspot as large as spot 3.

Only two species.
5. FW 15mm. Rounder wings cilia reddish UnH unmarked.... H. kumara
6. Larger FW 17mm cilia greyer. UnH patchyies (interneural spots) well-marked.

https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Halpe_kumara#/media/File:HalpeKumara_821_1_Knight.png

Plate XXI fig 2 H. knyvetti.
https://archive.org/details/transactionsofzo14zool/page/n380/mode/1up?view=theater

Eliot clearly state FW with large upper cellspot as large as spot 3.
This image below is in error.
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13652464#/media/File:HalpeKnyvetti_818_4_Fitch.png


Correction:FW upper cellspot smaller than discal spot 3. Key 7 a.
Halpe sikkima.
Compare fieldshot of the male from Chiang Mai in website below.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91300001.html

[Psyche]

2. Halpe knyvetti.
Antenna similar with a pale ring before the apiculus.
FW upper cellspot about the same size as spot (which is triangular) in pic 2a.
Cilia grey..

PS. The three species in which the antennal club have a white spot below the apiculus & UnH without a white band can be Ided as follow.

H. sikkima; FW upper cellspot smaller than spot 3 (spot in space 3) ; Underside markings illdefined; discla (interneural) spots diffuse & merging.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/83_28556-271-5adbde2fb835e-1_1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/356_21631-508-5a043d0ff0bc2-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/94_8119-851-55e99edc32a5f-2_1.jpg
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Halpe-sikkima-1.jpg

H. knyvetti. FW upper cellspot about as large as spot 3.; Underside marking beter defined, discal spots more discrete.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/304_48372-256-5ddf089baefa8-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1_48372-256-5ddf089baefa8-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/435_13673-716-57d66e0cf1237-1.jpg

H. kumara ;FW upper cellspot as large as spot 3 ;UnH unmarked, denser ochreous scalings. Cilia light reddish brown.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/117_45535-257-5d9166b4d3169-1.jpg

[Psyche]

3. Probably Halpe aucma.
There is a small upper cellspot just visible.
Key 9a. Antenna not pale-ringed.
13a. Cell without double spot or large conjoined spot.
13b. Termen convex.
13 cilia chequered at least on FW.
homolea group.
Check out
egena, ceylonica, & hindu.
Check out molta.... clia white
filda... no upper cellspot.
Check out handa & nephele not in location.
arcuata... cilia unchequered.

This leaves only Halpe aucma.
Only vague description.
UpH darker than molta UnH markings less well-defined.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/538_51650-728-5e77ac8e7ed1e-1_1.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Psyche]

Some Identification.

1. Antenna dorsally with white spot at base of apiculus.
FW upper cellspot smaller than discalspot 3.
UnUnH markings ill-definwd.
Halpe Sikkima.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_81295-239-607b42c58211e-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_81295-239-607b42c58211e-1.jpg



2. Antenna club with white spot.
FW upper cellspot about same size as spot 3.
Underside better defined, discal black spots more discrete. Subtornal ochreous spot generally prominent.
Halpe knyvetti
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_64101-606-5f2d70aad54d0-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_64101-606-5f2d70aad54d0-1.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/435_13673-716-57d66e0cf1237-1.jpg



3. Antenna club with white spot.
FW upper cellspot about as spot 3.
UnH generally unmarked,denser ochreous.
Cilia light reddish brown.
Halpe Kumara.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/117_45535-257-5d9166b4d3169-1.jpg

[Psyche]

Antenna without a white spot below apiculus.
FW unchequered or only vaguely so.
FW upper cellspot usually absent (or tiny).
FW discalspots 2 & 3 broadly overlapping.
UnH markings ill-defined. Ground more uniform dark greyish.
Halpe arcuata.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/137_11420-271-56f441b47819c-3.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/137_11420-271-56f441b47819c-2.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/236_26948-429-5aaf9e9102f69-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1_26948-429-5aaf9e9102f69-3.jpg

Thailand example.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Halpe-arcuata-1.jpg



Antenna without white spot.
FW cilia distinctly chequered.
FW upper cellspot usually absent (or tiny).
FW with three subapical spots.
UnH pale band inconspicuous, suffused.
Halpe filda.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-2.jpg



Antenna without white spot.
FW cilia distinctly chequered.
FW with upper cellspot.
FW discal spots 2 & 3 generally with little overlap. (Huang.)
UnH markings less defined.
Halpe aucma. Correction:Probably an example of H. molta .FW spot 2 & 3 seem to overlap at least halfway; UnH dark spots fairly discrete.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/279_26816-897-5aad24b955187-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/279_26816-897-5aad24b955187-1.jpg

[Psyche]

Huang state of H. aucma may IDed in that spot 2 & 3 have little overlap while in H. molta the two spots overlap more.
Eliot state in H. aucma, spots tend to be small (so little overlap) & UnH markings less defined.

Putting the two criteria together .
H. aucma.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_50850-488-5e514e50d3862-2_1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_50850-488-5e514e50d3862-3_1.jpg

https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_50850-488-5e514e50d3862-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/641_31316-27-5b47650f2fb97-1.jpg



This looks to be H. molta.
Spots 2 & 3 with more overlap.
UnH discal dark spots well-defined & discrete.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92477-578-61a97fcc40f82-1_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92487-505-61a982320c8b2-1_0.jpg


TL Seow: Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Thanks a lot for the detailed explanation. Now I feel I have graduated in Halpe identification.

Today, we celebrate Teachers' Day in India. So, let me wish you "Happy Teachers' Day" and thank you for all the invaluable knowledge you have imparted on us.

While going through my Halpe collection, and cross checking with the IDs you have given, I came upon this specimen which could be H molta, which seems to have white cilia in addition to other id keys. Kindly have a look.

4. a
27965

4. b (same specimen as that of 4.a)
27966

Thanks

[Psyche]

Post 8.

You are too generous with your praises.
I appreciate the fact you brought the Halpe this time.
I suddenly realised on going thru the species that the dozen of confusing species in the Indochinese region can be ignore.
Two species mentioned in Evans H. kusala & flava both have UnH central band, yellow in flava & yellowish white in kusala are unlikely to occur in India.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91390001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91360001.html
Correction: Both H. kusala & flava occur in NE India. (included in checklist).

The degree of overlap between FW spot 2 & 3 in H. molta is quite variable.
That in H. aucma should be little or almost none.
The UnH interneural black spots are fairly well-define with the sharper margins visible.
So it is probably H. molta.
The white cilia is more or less the same in all three species.

Typical H. aucma would be this.
UnH interneural spots (Evans call these discal although the position should be postdiscal)are fuzzy & merged together.
The ground is ?usually more golden.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_30406-733-5b2f963134c48-2_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_30406-733-5b2f963134c48-3_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_44297-293-5d7ceb4ae705a-2_2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_44297-293-5d7ceb4ae705a-1_2.jpg

Perhaps H. molta is the more common species.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/95_80710-686-60792f03020cd-1_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/95_80710-686-60792f03020cd-2_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_44586-52-5d80b3e5a54db-2_2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_44586-52-5d80b3e5a54db-1_2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92477-578-61a97fcc40f82-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92487-505-61a982320c8b2-1.jpg

This one with upper cellspot & well-defined HW black spots is probably H. molta.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/599_37446-872-5c1d1eedf1127-1.jpg

Typical H. filda.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-2.jpg

It is still very difficult to ID some based on the underside alone at the moment.
eg what should this be.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_65368-524-5f50d4854058a-1.jpg

What could this be.
FW with upper cellspot;UnH black spots merged as one; central yellowish white band as in H. kusala. Correction: Probably [I]H. kusala.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/791_30521-914-5b319a88bd4f7-1.jpg
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91390001.html

H. wantona
Ground with the veins blacken; UnH spotswell-defined; FW cilia poorly chequered.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/304_25524-297-5a769a321d580-1_0.jpg
Probable H. wantona.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/554_59388-246-5ed72f89f134c-2_1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/554_59388-246-5ed72f89f134c-1_1.jpg

Halpe kumara.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/356_21631-508-5a043d0ff0bc2-1.jpg
http://www.flutters.org/home/photogallery/index.php?plog__=&level=picture&id=976


You may want to see pix of H. filda, molta & aucma.
Images poor.
Download pdf. from reference section. Huang 1998. Neue Ent Nachr 41.
https://ftp.funet.fi/index/Tree_of_life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/hesperioidea/hesperiidae/hesperiinae/halpe/
Page 215 Description.
Page 245 images.


TL Seow ;Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Once again, thanks a lot Dr. Seow.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Let me add two more specimen which I got last weekend in my backyard in Shillong. Maybe same species but I see few differences.

Photographs taken at Shillong (191 m above msl)

5.a.
27997

5.b. (same specimen as 5a)
27998

6.a.
27999

6.b. (same specimen as 6a)
28000

Regards
Aomoa

[Psyche]

Post 11.

They look to be male & female of one species.
The single upper cellspot IDed it as Halpe.
Antenna with a white spot.
Cellspot about = spot 3.
UnH unmarked ,not even the black discal spots.

Most likely Halpe kumara.

Only other sp. is H. knyvetti but this have at least some visible obscure spots.
Fig 2.
https://archive.org/details/transactionsofzo14zool/page/n379/mode/1up?view=theater

Note Thoressa hyrie can look very similar, but Cellspot is doubled, & cilia chequered.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/356_30063-200-5b17ee4418ab8-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/356_30063-200-5b17ee4418ab8-1.jpg


TL Seow:Cheers.

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Dear Dr. Seow,

Adding one more which I got in my recent field trip. Could this be H. kusala?

5a
28039

5b
28040

Regards

[Ngangom Aomoa]

Adding one more.

6.
28041

[Psyche]

Post 13 & 14..

5a & 5b.

This does not seem to have a distinct band & are probably in H. aucma, molta ,filda. Correction;Probbaly Halpe flava.

H. filda 'FW no cellspot.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_82385-348-609cb565e6cc4-2.jpg

H. aucma ;FW with a cellspot; HW interneural spots diffuse & merging.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_30406-733-5b2f963134c48-2_0.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/118_30406-733-5b2f963134c48-3_0.jpg

H. molta.FW with a cellspot; HW interneural spots better defined individually.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92477-578-61a97fcc40f82-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/622_92487-505-61a982320c8b2-1.jpg

5a & b looks to be Halpe molta, as the spots are better defined.




6 has a better defined band. Probably H. flava

Both H. flava ,band yellow & H. kusala ,band yellowish white are said to be recorded in India.

H. flava See field shots at bottom.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91360001.html

H. kusala
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/91390001.html

Probable H. kusala.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/1611_59226-848-5ed39ecb8a52f-2.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/135_15131-141-5820c69bdb287-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/791_30521-914-5b319a88bd4f7-1.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/791_30521-914-5b319a88bd4f7-2.jpg


TL Seow;Cheers.
PS. 5 & 6 are likely the same species, just a matter of depth of colouring.
Halpe flava occur all the way to Assam.
Peninsular Malaysia.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X02q-v6U1Mc/YAr65u-JCBI/AAAAAAAAgFE/0UhONsThJG4HsSMVX12TXyOYYTCYIpplQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC_3039.JPG