There are already quite a number of butterfly spotters who have reached the 600 milestone. Now I have 585 species. Yep ! 15 more species to go for the 600 magical number ! In June 2025 I managed to do a few short butterfly trips and score a few lifers which add up to the current total.
Lifer # 1.
Great Mormon
Papilio memnon agenor f. distantianus
According to CP5, this female version of Great Mormon is quite common in the Northern States i.e from Selangor onwards. No wonder I can't find it around my area. I saw this one near Ipoh.
Common Mime
Papilio clytia clytia
I think this Papilio is not so common but it's not rare either. This is only my 2nd time seeing it.
Common Mime
Papilio clytia clytia
So lucky to get this open wing shot.
Bamboo Tree Brown
Lethe europa malaya
This species is a forest dwelling butterfly. This one is a male.
Courtesan
Euripus nyctelius euploeoides
This is another forest dependent species.
My 2nd lifer !
Great Evening Brown
Melanitis zitenius auletes
This is a male and I believe it's not common. However, in iNaturalist, there seem to have quite a number of the female version which I think can be questionable unless those spotters have also seen their upperside before they submit their records. This is because the female version of this species is very similar to the more common female Evening Brown (M. leda leda).
Great Evening Brown
Melanitis zitenius auletes
Ancema blanka blanka
An uncommon species. Lionel de Nicéville reported this butterfly back in 1894 and I have only discovered it in June 2025. 😛 Lifer # 3.
Ancema blanka blanka
It was puddling on natural minerals. No baits were used.
Ancema blanka blanka
Luckily it allowed me a few shots before it flew away and never return again.
Ancema blanka blanka
Off it goes.
Columbine
Stiboges nymphidia
This was the first time that I have managed to see its metal mark hence that's why this species of butterfly is included in the Metalmark group of butterflies.
Columbine
Stiboges nymphidia
It's not a strong flyer as I have observed.
Columbine
Stiboges nymphidia
Note: It's the same fella but when I changed my position, the metalmark is no longer visible.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
A couple of months back I got the female and now I am so happy to see the male.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
This is a highland species.
There are so many 'ghostly' images on its wing😮
White Dragontail
Lamproptera curius curius
Maybe that's why they call it a dragon tail. Always a delight to see it.
White Dragontail
Lamproptera curius curius
It came down to take a sip at the natural water flowing down on the side of the trail.
White Dragontail
Lamproptera curius curius
I like the way they fly - can turn around like a helicopter. It has a brown colour probosis.
White Dragontail
Lamproptera curius curius
They all looked pristine over here.
Chocolate Tiger
Parantica melaneus sinopion
I think this species is quite common but their numbers are always less.
White Ciliate Blue
Anthene licates dusuntua
I don't think you can see this Ciliate Blue everyday.
White Ciliate Blue
Anthene licates dusuntua
It is fast flying and small.
White Ciliate Blue
Anthene licates dusuntua
Not sure whether it's a male or female.
Dark Tit
Hypolycaena thecloides thecloides
Although you can see many of its photos around but it is actually not common.
Dark Tit
Hypolycaena thecloides thecloides
An opened wing shot.
Dark Tit
Hypolycaena thecloides thecloides
Note: That patch/brand on its FW wasn't mentioned in CP5.
Here's another uncommon one I believe
Tongeia potanini glycon
It is just as colourful and small as the Orchid Tit
Dark Cupid
Tongeia potanini glycon
It didn't stayed long for any sharper shots.
Here is a resident butterfly which you can't miss if you visit this limestone cave.
Black Prince
Rohana parisatis siamensis
Male
You can also see its 'strobe lights' on each of its wing tips.
Black Prince
Rohana parisatis siamensis
This one shows his side profile.
Black Prince
Rohana parisatis siamensis
Female
Here's a surprising lifer for me. A young but experienced butterfly spotter called 'He-he Cat' has kindly confirmed this Grass Yellow for me. 😀
Scarce Grass Yellow
Eurema lacteola lacteola
Scarce Grass Yellow
Eurema lacteola lacteola
An uncommon Grass Yellow.
Believe it or not ! this skipper is also my lifer.
Telicota besta bina
Besta Palm Dart
Telicota besta bina
Accompanied by a Malayan Pied Blue (Megisba malaya sikkima)
Here's another uncommon and localised butterfly
Red-tailed Marquis
Bassarona recta monilis
Red-tailed Marquis
Bassarona recta monilis
There were two of them.
Here is their underside profile
Red-tailed MarquisBassarona recta monilis
Here is a different Marquis.
Banded Marquis
Bassarona teuta rayana
Banded Marquis
Bassarona teuta rayana
As the above Marquis are localised species, you probably may find it difficult to see them elsewhere.
Malayan Birdwing
Troides amphrysus ruficollis
A gentle flyer.
Malayan Birdwing
Troides amphrysus ruficollis
There are not many photos which show these two features together on this species.
Striped Blue Crow
Euploea mulciber mulciber
Monsieur Liew had just confirmed that this is a Common Albatross (Appias albina albina). Its underside is rather creamy white than yellowish as seen in CP5 book. This butterfly is not so common as other Appias.
Some how that day, there were a small group of them puddling.
Common Albatross
Appias albina albina
Here are a few common butterflies on a man-made structure.
Red Helen
Papilio helenus helenus
Note: there are no baits used but some how they can sense that there are minerals in these dry concrete.
Malayan Yeoman
Cirrochroa emalea emalea
Malayan Nawab
Polyura moori moori
Finally my last lifer in June 2025
Spotted Zebra
Graphium megarus megapenthes
When it first appeared, I thought it was just another Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris).
Spotted Zebra
Graphium megarus megapenthes
Although at some angle, it looks bluish, but then I noticed that the patterns / stripes on its wings are a little different. That's when I realised that this is a different species and started to take more shots.
Spotted Zebra
Graphium megarus megapenthes
Here it is with the earlier lifer (Scarce Grass Yellow).
Spotted Zebra
Graphium megarus megapenthes
Its flight is quite casual like those of Blue Glassy Tiger and luckily it was quite friendly.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW !
HOPE TO REACH THE 600 MILESTONE BY YEAR END !
