Capila phanaeus flora

Capila phanaeus flora Evans, 1934


♂ (dsf), Chiang Mai, Thailand.		♀ (dsf), Phrae, Thailand. (photo by K.Saito)

♂ (wsf), Chiang Mai, Thailand.		♀ (wsf), Chiang Mai, Thailand.

ON : Capila flora Evans, 1934
OD : Entomologist 67(3): 62.
TL : "Maymyo, Burma" [Maymyo, Mandalay Region, Myanmar]. (NHML)

Distribution : Myanmar (N.Shan State, Kayin State), Thailand.

	● ssp.lalita		● ssp.flora
	● ssp.fulva		● ssp.decoloris
	● ssp.falta		● ssp.ferrea
	● unclear (fulva or falta)

Type Material Information

♂, Type (red), Maymyo, Burma. 8.24. (NHML, examined)

Records taken from Literature

[ THAILAND ]
Capila phanaeus flora ; Evans,1949 : 85. (W: Nam Phi; Prae: Me Chou; Me Sai Sing)
Capila phanaeus lalita ; Pinratana,1985 : 25, pl.8, figs.29a♂,♀. (Chiang Mai; Nakhon Ratchasima)
Capila phanaeus flora ; Pinratana,1985 : 25, pl.8, fig.29b♂. (Chaiyaphum)
Capila phanaeus lalita ; Ek-Amnuay,[2007] : 744, pl.340, figs.H34a♂,♂(Un),♀. (Chiang Mai)
Capila phanaeus flora ; Ek-Amnuay,[2007] : 744, pl.340, figs.H34b,♂,♂(Un). (Phu Khiao; Wiang Pa Pao)
Capila phanaeus flora ; Kimura et al.,2011 : 31, figs.♂,♂(Un),♀,♀(Un). (Doi Suthep; Wan Nam Khiewo)
Capila phanaeus lalita ; Ek-Amnuay,2012 : 790, pl.364, figs.H33a♂,♂(Un),♀. (Chiang Mai; Phu Phan)
Capila phanaeus flora ; Ek-Amnuay,2012 : 790, pl.364, figs.H33b♂,♂(Un). (Phu Khieo; Wiang Pa Pao)

Specimens Examined

[ THAILAND ]
Chiang Mai : 8♂ 4♀.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Lamphun : 1♂.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Phrae : 1♀.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Notes

The butterfly is locally common in montane forests at low to moderate elevations (Alt. 100 - 1000m). Both sexes visit tree flowers. They often fly out from bushes along the trail and rest on the underside of leaves with their wings spread.
There are many issues to consider regarding the taxonomy of this taxon. In general, the tip of the harpe of the male genitalia of phanaeus is divided into 2 to 5, but this taxon has a sharp tip and is never divided as mentioned by Evans (1949). It is also found sympatrically with lalita in some localities, suggesting that it may be a separate species. However, in populations from Nan to C. Laos and ssp.decoloris from S. Vietnam, there are individuals that vary from being divided into 2 - 3 to the same as ssp.flora. Further taxonomic study, including DNA analysis, is needed.

The taxonomy of this species is very confusing. This is due to the extremely high geographical, individual and seasonal variation of the species. It has been tentatively re-examined, including subsequent findings. However, there is still a lack of specimens from each location and the classification is likely to change in the future.

Literature

Evans, W.H.,1934 : Indo-Australian Hesperiidae: Description of new Genera, Species and Subspecies.
Entomologist 67(3): 61-65 (part 2).

Evans, W.H.,1949 : A catalogue of the Hesperiidae from Europe, Asia and Australia in the British Museum (Natural History).
i-xix + 1-502, pls.1-35. London.


♂ (dsf), Chiang Mai, Thailand.

1999.07.31 - 2023.04.30.