Wing and spot patterns in butterflies vary somewhat within species. In addition, some butterflies have wing patterns intermediate between two related species. Identification of some of such individuals can be problematic. Here, we investigated two specimens that have a wing pattern intermediate between Parnara guttata (Bremer & Grey) and Zinaida pellucida (Murray), and another specimen of Melanitis phedima (Cramer) that has a wing pattern slightly similar to Melanitis leda (Linnaeus). We analyzed sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) and elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α), respectively, from these specimens. Double peaks which would suggest interspecific hybrids were not detected at any nucleotide position in the electropherograms of the EF-1α genes, in which nucleotides differ between the two species of each pair. The results of these analyses indicate that these specimens are not F1 interspecific hybrids but are P. guttata, Z. pellucida, and M. phedima, respectively. We also describe a new distinction in the pattern of the white spots on the forewings that can be used to discriminate between P. guttata and Z. pellucida. This feature is more reliable than the traditional criterion of the pattern of the white spots on the hindwings.

The dissected genitalia are critical for the accurate determination of many species of Tortricidae. Herein we illustrate the adults and genitalia of the holotypes of four olethreutine species: Phiaris hokkaidana Bae, 2000; Phiaris komaii Bae, 2005; Lobesia arguta Bae & Komai 1991; and Lobesia yasudai Bae & Komai, 1991.

A mark-release-recapture survey of adult Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow, Colias erate poliographus Motschulsky, 1860, was conducted in early winter and spring along the south-facing embankment of the Mibu River, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, over a distance of more than 2,000 m. A time-series analysis showed that the total number of individuals captured in spring was affected by mowing in October of the previous year. The number of recaptured females in spring was extremely small. In spring, 43% and 80% of all captured males and females were highly migratory. The lifespan of males was up to 23 days, during which time changes in behavior and age were observed. The relationship between the number of days that elapsed from initial capture to recapture was well expressed by an exponential function. The rate of decrease per day in the number of individuals captured was 22% for early winter males and females, 10% for spring males, and 14% for spring females. The high rate of decrease in early winter was estimated to be due to the high mortality rate. The average distance migrated daily by recaptured early winter males was more than twice that of spring males. The longest migration distance was at least 2,000 m for early winter males and approximately 1,300 m for spring males and females. With regard to migration on the embankment, early winter males and spring males tended to concentrate near the herb Vicia hirsuta and the flowering plant community.