Some southern Thai Arhopalas

[DaveChiangMai]

I am quite familiar with the northern Thai Arhopala species, but as I rarely visit the south I find them there to be rather difficult. I would appreciate some direction on these plesae.
All were photographed in Hala-Bala, s Thailand bwtween 18-20 June 23.
These five images should represent five diffferent species, though 1 and 2 look rather similar.
The forth image may be a little too worn for ID.
I think image 5 might be A. atosia.
Thanks thanks

28324
Image 1.

28325
Image 2.

28326
Image 3.

28327
Image 4.

28328
Image 5.

[Psyche]

The Arhopala species in the south are very difficult.
They only differ by little details.
The FW should be raised to show the arrangement of the spots.


1. Female Arhopala corinda.
Normally the FW should show spot 4 not dislocated.
Spots are large, rounded, & strongly contrasted.
Male is purple-wash.
Male.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-corinda.jpg
Female.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-corinda-corestes.jpg


2. Male Arhopala eulmophus. Correction: A. horsfieldi.
The FW should show FW spot 4 dislocated.
Ground is greyish brown & Hw spot 6 is sinuous on the other margin.
Traces of green scaling noted thru the tear.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20eumolphus%20maxwelli/2007_10_02_IMG_1373.jpg



3.Male Arhopala atosia.
FW is raised high enough to show spot 4 dislocated outwards.
HW spot 5, 6, & 7 staggered inwards.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-atosia-jahara.jpg


4. Female probably Arhopala zylda. Note HW submarginal spots rather separated.
The markings belong to the amphimuta group.
This include a subgroup of small species very difficult to ID from underside alone.
They are,
A. zylda, kurzi, metamuta, muta, moorei

A. kurzi is excluded as its HW band is widely dislocated at vein 2.
A. metamuta have a flat/level metamark.

http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81925010.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81926001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81950001.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81930020.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81940010.html


5. Uncertain.
this is marked exactly as in A. atosia but HW spot 7 is atop spot 6.
In A. atosia HW spot 7 is shifted inwards from spot 6.

This arrangement normally put it in the pseudomuta group.
However it does not match any member in the group.
Most have the FW spots irregularly set eg A. pseudomuta ,alitaeus.
or the spots have very straight marginseg A. elopura, ariana. arianaga aida.
Closest A. elopura.
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-elopura.jpg
A. ariana
https://thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Arhopala-ariana.jpg
A. aida.
https://res.cloudinary.com/ppc1/image/upload/v1467088096/ko27uwj1m6wku7yfpttq.jpg
A. pseudomuta.
https://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20pseudomuta%20pseudomuta/Pseudomuta%20-%203%20-%20Horace.jpg




TL Seow: Cheers.

[Psyche]

Revision.

5. Arhopala atosia.
There is some variation in the placement of spot 7 over spot 6.
Spot 7 may be just near the inner edge of spot 6.
The rest of the markings are exactly as in A. atosia.
This example of A. atosia is rather similar in the position of spot 7.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/ArhopalaAtosiaMalayanaMUpUnAC1.jpg

Note in the 2nd female (from Ranong) HW spot 7 is also set nearly similar.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/81810020.html



TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the details and discussion.
I will digest.
These southern Arophalas sure are tough.

[Psyche]

Correction

2 Arhopala horsfieldi.
The upperside FW costa is mostly black with a little green scales.
In A. eumolphus it is mostly green.
Also HW metallic green patch is shaped differently tapered in eumolphus.
A. horsfieldi
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82450010.html
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2847200450


A. eumolphus.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82460010.html
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20eumolphus%20maxwelli/2007_10_02_IMG_1373.jpg
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/mugshots/Arhopala%20eumolphus%20maxwelli/green%20oakblue%20-%203%20-%20Fedrick%20Ho.jpg



TL Seow:CHeers.