Butterflies in March 2026 - the hunt for lifers continues.

The month of March came and went faster than Captain Marvel could blink his eyes. There's only one confirmed lifer this month and here it is:

My lifer in March 2026

Malayan Assyrian 

Terinos clarissa malayana

I think this genus of Assyrian is in season at the moment. Saw many of them in a few locations but this one is an exception. 

Malayan Assyrian 

Terinos clarissa malayana

Initially I thought this could just be another common Royal Assyrian (T. terpander robertsia). Only after I posted in a butterfly study group FB that I found it is another subspecies of Assyrian. Although it is reported to be common at this site in Hulu Langat but I think it is more localised and hence uncommon in other areas.

This Oakblue could be my second lifer if its identification proves correct.

Pale Yellow Oakblue 

Arhopala mooliana 

A few more Arhopala species were seen this month

Lesser Disc Oakblue

Arhopala lurida

Here is an interesting Arhopala ! Initially I thought this could be an Arhopala stinga but after some close examinations, it proves to be a different one.

Long-celled Oakblue

Arhopala aurea

This is quite common at my local hill side.

Long-celled Oakblue

Arhopala aurea

This photo was taken w/o a flash light.

The abundance of Curetis species is quite evident in March.

Narrow-banded Sunbeam (edited from Regular Sunbeam)

Curetis insularis  

It has a nice creamy-white underside appearance.

Regular Sunbeam or Narrow-banded Sunbeam?

I think it looks more like a Narrow-banded Sunbeam (Curetis insularis). 

Here's another comparison but at a different location in Hulu Langat.

Narrow-banded Sunbeam

Curetis insularis pseudoinsularis (Fruhstorfer)

I think this Sunbeam is less common.

Narrow-banded Sunbeam

Curetis insularis pseudoinsularis (Fruhstorfer)

Looks like a male I believe.

I think this one is more like a Bright Sunbeam rather than a Malayan Sunbeam (C. santana).

Curetis bulis stigmata

As usual there were higher concentration of  Jamides Sp and Nacaduba Sp at this time of the year.

Large Four-line Blue

Nacaduba pactolus odon

Initially I thought this could be a N. solta but was promptly corrected by a sifu from SG.

This Nacaduba species is less common I believe.

White Four-line Blue 

Nacaduba agusta keriana

This Caerulean species is apparently uncommon in SG !

Glistening Caerulean

Jamides elpis pseudelpis 

Here is a 'controversial' species which after much examination and probing, the butterfly tribe here has unanimously decided and cleared the smog on this species.

Silver Forget-me-not 

Catochrysops panormus exiguus

Note: the small black spot seen here is closer to the postdiscal band / fascia than in a Forget-me-not (C. strabo strabo) which also has one. This feature is widely known within the butterfly community but is not visibly mention in the field guides it seems.

Four-bar Swordtail

Graphium agetes iponus (Westwood)

This Swordtail is no longer very rare. 

Small Leopard

Phalanta alcippe alcesta 

Small Leopard

Phalanta alcippe alcesta 

This is a different individual shot at a different location.

Always love to see a Simiskina or a Poritia no matter whether they are common or not.

Blue-line Brilliant 

Simiskina pharyge dolina

Majority of these species are found up on the higher lands. This one is probably the lowland one.

Blue-line Brilliant 

Simiskina pharyge dolina

This is also probably the most common one among them.

Common Yeoman

Cirrochroa tyche rotundata

Saw quite a number of them in different locations in March.

Common Yeoman

Cirrochroa tyche rotundata

Not as common as it sounds I believe.

Cycad Blue

Luthrodes pandava pandava

There were a few skippers seen but most of them are quite common and skittish except this one.

Dark Banded Ace

Halpe ormenes visalina

Chocolate Pansy

Junonia iphita horsfieldi

Fancy seeing a Pansy with a blue thorax? Note: it's very much alive and skittish.

Here are some nice and memorable shots to end this month's post.

Fivebar Swordtail

Graphium antiphates itamputi

Chocolate Albatross

Appias lyncida vasava

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS MONTH. HOPEFULLY I CAN BRING MORE EXCITING AND NEW LIFERS NEXT MONTH. 

SAYONARA MONSIEUR !

Butterflies in February 2026 - Peninsular Malaysia

 The hot season is back and so are a few new lifers. 

Lesser Zebra 

Graphium mecareus perakensis

Lifer #1 for this month.

Lesser Zebra 

Graphium mecareus perakensis

It's slightly larger than a Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris). However, its underside colour is actually brownish - it is so different as compared to its upperside colours.

Lesser Zebra 

Graphium mecareus perakensis

It is so 'large' that each time it lands on a daisy bud, it will bend it. 

Lesser Zebra 

Graphium mecareus perakensis

Although it was seen nectaring but I am unsure whether it's a female or not. There were actually two of them out there.

Red Vein Lancer

Pyroneura niasana burmana (Evans)

Lifer # 2 - according to an expert (Mr Teo), this is a female. Some people also called it a Burmese Lancer.

Different-spotted Snow Flat 

Tagiades toba toba (de Niceville)

Lifer # 3

Different-spotted Snow Flat 

Tagiades toba toba (de Niceville)

Slightly smaller than a Tagiades japetus (Common Snow Flat) and probably moderately rare. 

Opal Oakblue

Arhopala opalina azata 

This Oakblue is super rare and I am so glad to see it ! Almost the size of a Large Metallic Oakblue (A. aedias agnis) This one was seen in Bentong, Pahang at about noon time on a Matico plant (Piper aduncum sp)

Lifer # 4

Malayan Jester 

Symbrenthia hippoclus selangorana

This should be an uncommon Jester I think.

Malayan Jester 

Symbrenthia hippoclus selangorana

Common Jester 

Symbrenthia lilaea luciana 

Saw this Jester at a different location than the above but in the same month.

Here are some uncommon or maybe rare Flitters.

Common Narrow-spot Flitter

Isma feralia lenya

An uncommon skipper

Lifer # 5

Common Narrow-spot Flitter

Isma feralia lenya

Bright-long spot Flitter

Isma damocles

Lifer # 6

After all the lifers seen above, now we move to the more uncommon ones.

Southern Sunbeam

Curetis tagalica jopa

Only my second time seeing it and on both occasions they are in Hulu Langat forest.

Dark Cupid

Tongeia potanini glycon

Although not very rare anymore but it's very localised. Only seen this species three times and each time it's only an individual.

Dark Cupid

Tongeia potanini glycon

When it is flying around, it would appear like a Hedge Blue !

Banded Marquis 

Bassarona teuta rayana

So excited to see this uncommon and pristine female. When they are airborne, they look like a female Tanaecia sp.

Spotted Zebra

Graphium megarus megaphentes 

Looks quite similar to the above Lesser Zebra but much smaller.

Here comes another Zebra !

Malayan Zebra

Graphium delessertii delessertii

This 'Zebra' species is more common.

Malayan Zebra

Graphium delessertii delessertii

Over at Hulu Langat, sometimes you can see a large group of them puddling.

Here is a tricky one.

I believe this is a Poritia phama rajata i.e based on the description of its 'catenulate band' which is weakly dislocated instead of completely dislocated on other Poritia species (as per C&P book). Unfortunately at this moment, there is no common name being describe yet for this species !

Oh yes - Lifer # 7

The Red Edge

Semanga superba deliciosa

This might be a female I think and this species is probably a seasonal one. So it's less common. It was seen at my local hill spot.

Dried-leaf Palmfly 

Elymnias saueri saueri

I have seen this Palmfly at two different locations within this month.

Dried-leaf Palmfly 

Elymnias saueri saueri

With a view from its upperside, it would make its identification status much easier.

             

            Dried-leaf Palmfly 

           Elymnias saueri saueri

Blue-banded Jungle Glory

Thaumantis odana pishuna

This photo alone gathered close to 300 likes in a butterfly website.

Tufted Jungle King

Thauris aliris pseudaliris

Both are large species and they can be quite obliging for a photography session if you approach them slowly.

White Cerulean

Jamides pura pura

This is a jungle dwelling species.

Malayan Falcate Oakblue

Mahathala ariadeva

So far I have only seen this Oakblue at those high hill stations but this one was seen at a lowland hill.

Little Mapwing

Cyrestis themire themire

Usually I would see this Mapwing under some leaves rather than on the ground.

I believe this is a Large Dart (Potanthus serina) ! 

It was seen in Bentong, Pahang.

Red Lacewing

Cethosia biblis perakana 

Again I would usually see this species up on highlands but this one was seen at a lowland area in Gopeng.

Here is something interesting. I believe they are both from the same species.

                                                                          
                           Common Albatross                               

        Appias albina albina            

     

    

Dark Evening Brown

Melanitis phedima abdullae

This one should be a male.

Dark Archduke

Lexias dirtea merguia

     A very pristine looking male.

Another open wings shot.

Autumn Leaf

Doleschallia bisaltide continentalis 

It's also a male I believe.

Grey Pansy

Junonia atlites atlites

I find this Junonia sp quite seasonal and localised. At this Penang mainland area, it can be found almost 365 days.

Finally I shall end this session with another skipper but a common one.

Common Dartlet

Oriens gola pseudolus

SEE YOU ALL AGAN IN MARCH !!