Potanthus skipper from NW Thailand

[DaveChiangMai]

I photogrpahed this Potanthus at Omkoi, nw Thailand on 23 May 24. I've been kicking around the ID for a week and not really gotten anywhere since some of the features don't seem to add up to a specific ID. I think I have narrowed it down to P. pallida and P. palni, and I did consider P. ganda. I lean toward P. palni but would welcome other ideas and suggestions please. Altitude 1,000 metres in dry mixed dipterocarp forest. Many thanks.

28534

28535

[Psyche]

Tough lots these Potanthus.

I wouldn't want to put an id at these moment.

Note FW spots 4 & 5 have either no overlap or barely between spot 3 & 4.
This should put the crosshair on P. trachala, .pseudomaesa, pallida.

P. palnia is quite different, small overlap between spot 3 & 4, spot 5 smaller than spot 4.
Most importantly a dark greenish grey shading un.
https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/96773669/large.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/5832/30430140096_c16e1ae172_b.jpg

P. trachala is out as the spots are spiky, & in the male strong concave margins.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvlAhJLLsd0/VAxf7FbehUI/AAAAAAAAQFc/hP3tC8esw5s/s1600/HFH3746-Potanthus-trachala-tytleri.jpg
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xp54_a5Xd1I/VCeCYlXBG9I/AAAAAAAABTc/nXtKcVbOjcg/s1600/Potanthus%2Btrachala%2B-%2Bupperside.jpg

P. pseudomaesa & pallida are frequently confused in India.

There are 3 species in Sri Lanka, namely, P. pseudomaesa, pallida & confucius.
in South India 5 spp., including P. palnia & pava.

P. confucius & pava can be ruled as the FW bands are continuous without dark veins.
P. palnia is also out.

Females of both P. pseudomaesa 7 pallida may have FW spots 4 & 5 fully detached.

P. pseudomaesa.
Underside marked with heavy black spots.
Male.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/171_7165-90-55a941a69905b-4.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/171_7165-90-55a941a69905b-3.jpg
See fieldshots at the bottom.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92740010.html



P. pallida.
Underside paler with diffuse dark shadings.
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/observation/Potanthus%20spp.%20_1665190495_236702.jpg
https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sites/default/files/observation/Potanthus%20spp.%20_1665190495_236703.jpg
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/hes/92720001.html


Both P. pseudomaesa & pallida were first described from Sri Lanka where they were frequently confused.
P. pallida was named because of the paler underside.

Your image looks to be P. pallida.

TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks for the detailed reply.
Yes, fully appreciate the complexiy of these Potanthus - They regularly drive me crazy.