rikyu

6. Ssp. rikyu Arima & Morimoto, 1991¹⁾ [♂, ♀]

(Distribution) [Map 114]

INDONESIA [Maluku] Western Daya Islands (Teun Is., Nila Is., Serua Is.).

(Episodes of discovery and original description)

A new subspecies was described by Arima & Morimoto in 1991 based on 4 pairs collected in May 1990 on Serua Island, the eastern end of West Daya Islands, the distribution range of this species. The subspecific name is thought to be named after the historical Japanese tea master Sen no Rikyu.

(Characteristics)

The most recently discovered subspecies, distributed on the most northeasterly scattered islands. It is relatively easy to distinguish it from ssp. heptanonius, ssp. staudingeri and ssp. ikarus.

(Spotted pattern)

♂: Both wing apices rounded and stout. The vein-stripes on FW are the most distinct among the subspecies, and bright especially on submarginal area. The semi-translucent golden patches on HW are also the largest, especially the cell-spot, which begins from basal side, beyond the origin on V^7th (many other subspecies begin on V^7th). The original description points out that inner side of golden patch of the cell on HW underside is green, but this is not a distinguishing feature, as other subspecies are similar.

♀: The vein-stripes on FW are wider than in other subspecies, especially the cell-spot, which extends to the area between the origins of V^3rd and V^2nd. (In other subspecies, the cell-spot only extends to the origin of V^3rd in many individuals.)