bouruensis

2. Ssp. bouruensis (Wallace, 1865)³⁴⁾ [♂, ♀] (♀: 2 forms)

= hellen (Boisduval, 1832)¹⁾ [♂] (➡papuensis) (Ambon Is., Buru Is., Rawack Is.)

= mangolensis Tsukada & Nishiyama, 1980³³⁾ [♂, ♀] (Sula Is. (Mangole Is.))

(Distribution) [Map 139]

INDONESIA [Maluku] Buru Is. (Leksula, Fakal, Waetawa, Kayeli), Ambelau Is.

(Episodes of discovery and original description)

The species from Buru Island was first described by Boisduval (1832) as T. helena, but the species name helena is invalid due to prior rights issues (Linnaeus named it in 1758 for another species from Java). Later, Wallace (1865) described it as a local form of T. helena based on 1♂2♀♀ collected by himself. The subspecies name bouruensis is derived from its habitat on the island of Bouru (= Buru).

(Characteristics)

A large subspecies next to the nominotypical subspecies. Individual variation in size and shape of HW golden patch of ♂ is marked and many variations can be seen.

(Spotted pattern)

♂: Only one dark form. Semi-translucent golden patches on HW are highly variable among individuals. It differs from the nominotypical subspecies in that the cell-spot, subcostal spot, and space 1b spot are all reduced.

♀: Two forms exist. HW pale band is yellow rather than grayish yellow or milky white as in the nominotypical subspecies, and black discal spots are solitary or at most contact with each other but fused with the black marginal border (spaces 2 and 4).

1.   Dark form (♀-f. bouruensis (Wallace, 1865)³⁴⁾ (=capnodia (Jordan, 1908)¹⁶⁾): FW dark brown without vein-stripes.
2.   Light form (♀-f. argidia (Jordan, 1908)¹⁶⁾): FW with grayish-white vein-stripes.

(Variation)

♂-f. ohzui Kobayashi & Koiwaya, 1979¹⁷⁾: [Aberrant HW pattern] The semi-translucent patches of HW are generally reduced. In particular, the cell is blackened, leaving a small spot at its apex.

♂-f. reducta Rumbucher & Schäffler, 2005²⁹⁾: [Aberrant HW pattern] Mildly melanic form compared to f. ohzui above. HW golden patches are reduced, but cell-spot remain and subcostal patch also distinct, although they are small.

♀-f. ohzui Kobayashi & Koiwaya, 1979¹⁷⁾: [Aberrant HW pattern] Absence of HW pale band except for a row of pale yellowish minute submarginal spots. Melanic form.

♀-f. nagai Ohya, 1983²³⁾: [Aberrant HW pattern] All dark discal spots on HW are absent except for that in space 6.