Two Arhopala species from ne Thailand

[DaveChiangMai]

These two were photogrpahed in Khon Kaen province, ne Thailand on 10 Aug 24.
I am pretty sure the first image is Arhopala aida, but the second image has me stumped.
Help greatly appreciated please. Many thanks.

28566

28567

[Psyche]

Both are members of the alitaeus group and look to be the same species.
1 is a male shorter palpi & 2 is a female, longer palpi.

The alitaeus group.
FW with postdiscal spot 4 dislocated & shifted out (variably) from the band especially in relation to spot 5 above it.
HW postdiscal band widely dislocated at vein 2, the V spot is fully detached from spot 2 above it.
V spot distinctive with flared ends.

A. alitaeus is distinctively marked.
A. pseudomuta & arianaga are only found in P. Thailand.

These leave three possibilities .A. aida .ariana & elopura.

A. aida have FW margin very straight in both sexes ,narrower markings, & HW postdiscal spot 6 with mainly straight margin. Underside with a slatey glaze.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82050001.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_aida#/media/File:ArhopalaAidaAidaMFUpUnAC1.jpg
https://wingscales.com/Lycaenidae/Arhopala-aida-aida

A elopura markings poorly contrasted from the ground colour.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82000010.html
https://thaibutterflies.com/Butterflies/arhopala-pseudomuta/arhopala-elopura/

A. ariana . markings darker & more contrasted from the ground colour. may have faint pink/purplish wash.
https://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc4f/82020020.html
https://wingscales.com/Lycaenidae/Arhopala-ariana-ssp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhopala_ariana#/media/File:ArhopalaArianaMUpUnAC1.jpg



Quite difficult .Either A. aida or ariana.

Without the slatey glaze here I think it should be A ariana.



TL Seow: Cheers.

[DaveChiangMai]

Many thanks. Indeed a tricky ID.