179. Mahathala ameria burmana (The Falcate Oakblue)

Number: 179

Family: Lycaeniidae
Sub-Family: Thecliinae

Species: Mahathala ameria burmana (Talbot, 1942)

Common name(s): The Falcate Oakblue

Photography location: Hanoi (Mt Ham Lon)

The biodiversity within the acacia plantations is extremely poor. However, it is in this kind of habitat I found this new species for me, more precisely in a small, incised valley with remnant patches of natural vegetation. I have often been surprised by what can be found in remnant natural and semi-natural ecosystems in farming landscapes.

Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 2 Mahathala species in Vietnam viz. ameria and ariadeva - the former widespread, the latter only recorded in the South (Dong Nai Prov.).
 

ID credit:  Alexander Monastyrskii

Not the best shot in the world but enough for a positive ID. Underwing pattern very similar to that of Arhopala species but note the HW deeply excavated at apex. Photo taken on June 24, 2016