Rhamma

Prieto, Carlos & Vargas, Maria A., 2016, Elfin butterflies of the genus Rhamma Johnson (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae): A review of the Colombian species, Zootaxa 4093 (3), pp. 323-342 : 340

Key to male Rhamma based on wing characters

1. Blue or green patch of scales on the basal part of VFW........................................................ 2

- Without blue or green patch of scale on VFW............................................................... 3

2. DFW with blue scales only below veins CuA; entirely black above CuA..................................... R. arria

- DFW with blue, green or purple scales covering most of wing................................................. 5

3. VHW with light ochre triangular (funnel shaped) spot starting from costa to vein M3............................. 12

- VHW without light ochre triangular (funnel shaped) spot...................................................... 4

4. DFW and DHW deep purple, with wide black margins................................................. R. anosma

- DFW and DHW entirely brown.................................................................. R. andradei

5. Scale patches on VFW deep blue, reaching submarginal band............................................. R. bilix

- Scale patches on VFW dark or shiny blue or green, never reach submarginal band.................................. 6

6. Relatively small species, FW length 9–11 mm ............................................................. 7

- Medium to large species, FW length 11–17 mm ............................................................ 8

7. Conspicuous androconial brand on DFW as an elongate streak bordering upper margin of the discal cell.......... R. oxida

- Inconspicuous androconial brand on DFW as an elongate streak bordering upper margin of the discal cell...... R. comstocki

8. DFW, DHW violet blue with reduced black margin (<2 mm); area between Rs and Sc on DHW entirely black... R. shapiroi

- DFW, DHW blue or shiny green with wide black margin (> 2 mm); area between Rs and Sc on DHW with blue or green scal- ing................................................................................................ 9

9. Conspicuous lighter band crossing the VHW in medial region from costa to vein CuA2...................... R. adunca

- Without lighter band crossing VHW in medial region from costa to vein CuA2 vein, anal lobes of HW normal for the genus.................................................................................................... 10

10 DFW, DHW shiny green, androconial patch on VFW diffusive, embracing 1/3 of the wing area; FW length> 14 mm R. hybla

- DFW, DHW blue, androconial patch on VFW well defined, embracing 1/4 of the wing area; FW length <14 mm ........ 11

11. Anal lobes of HW elongate; ventral pattern formed of zigzagging reddish lines; typical androconial brand on DFW formed by clear grayish scales.............................................................................. R. livida

- Anal lobes of HW reduced; ventral pattern grayish brown and inconspicuous; androconial brand on DFW....... R. mishma

12. Dorsally bright blue with a narrow black border (<4 mm)........................................... R. commodus

- Dorsally bright green with a wide black border (> 4 mm)............................................. R. familiaris