The differences between Common Posy and Branded Imperial Butterflies

Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei) and Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti) can be commonly found in certain areas especially in or near forested regions but certainly not in open fields or your neighbourhood parks. So far I have been seeing a number of them since December until now. 

Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei)

Common Posy are slightly smaller than Branded Imperial and I also found them to be a bit more skittish too.

Once they start nectaring / puddling, it's easier to take their photos. 

Two lovey-dovey Common Posies mating. The one on the right is a female and the male is on the left.

Here's a male Common Posy showing its partial upper-side wings.

The above is probably a worn out male Common Posy.

An upper side comparison between a male and female Common Posy

                                                                                      

                    Male                                                              Female                    

Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti)

They are just about 1cm larger than Common Posy

I have yet to obtain their upper wings profile.

Here's a side-by-side comparison between a Common Posy and a Branded Imperial

                                                                                  

Branded Imperial                                        Common Posy

                                                                                

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST WHILE YOU CAN !

Elymnias nesaea lioneli (Tiger Palmfly)

According to literature, most Elmynias genus are rare breed of butterflies. To be able to photographed a rare butterfly like this Tiger Palmfly it's usually only happened by chance. According to a veteran, 50 years ago Tiger Palmflys were abundant in Klang Valley. Well, it was also reported that one can actually find a seladang or a tiger in Jalan Ipoh during that time. 

Tiger Palmfly (Elymnias nesaea lioneli)

Due to its cryptic colors, one can hardly spot this species if it hides inside a deep shady undergrowth. I was lucky that it came out in the open.

Its intricate colors and pattern on its wings were designed so well that if it hadn't moved, I would have just pass it as another rotten leaf.

Most literature said that in the butterfly world the female butterflies reign - it means that it is much more difficult to spot a female butterfly than a male one. The one seen here could be a male Tiger Palmfly based on its darker forewing colors and pattern. This one here tried to find refuge on some thorny palm trees to deter me from getting closer to it.

Then it flew deeper into the forest and I went after it. The above photo was taken using higher ISO in a thick undergrowth.

I tried to get closer but the thick bushes and thorny leaves just prevented me. The above photo was taken using an internal flash. Such vast contrast.

It's such a pleasant thing to watch butterflies especially when we encounter rare ones like this Tiger Palmfly.

Zemeros emesoides emesoides (The Malayan Punchinello)

The Malayan Punchinello (Zemeros emesoides emesoides) is a rather uncommon butterfly in this region. It is one of the only two species of the "Zemeros" genus found here. The other one is the slightly more "common" Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas albipunctatus).

Like its close relative i.e the "Punchinello", this "Malayan Punchinello" strives better in a hilly terrain.

I was quite lucky to see it recently.

A side profile of the 'Malayan Punchinello'

This one here is quite friendly as it allows me for a close view. In fact I could even touch it if I want to!

This butterfly hardly open its wings widely like other butterflies.

Here are some photos of another Malayan Punchinello taken at the same location a few weeks after the above.

The above new one is slightly smaller and its forewing is also shorter.

I am assuming that it might just came out of pupation (an immature).

A few minutes later, a Pin-stripped Tit Babbler was seen taking a 'bite' at one of its hind wings.

Such a wonderful butterfly !

Malayan Tail Judy (Abisara savitri savitri)

Malayan Tail Judy (Abisara savitri savitri) is a forest dwelling butterfly. It is generally uncommon in this region and is reported to be more abundant in hilly areas such as in Fraser's Hill. 

If it can avoid predation, I think it can live for quite a long time as I have been seeing this one for the past two weeks. According to literature, the life span of an adult butterfly is generally between 20 - 30 days and some even more (ref: Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World). 

This butterfly can be skittish at times.

Its color is generally rusty brown as you can see here. 

This butterfly is not a fast flier. It generally "hops" / "flutters" from one place to another. 

A frontal look

"NATURE GIVES US IMMENSE JOY SO WE MUST TREASURE THEM"

Butterflies in January 2021

Here are some butterflies which were seen in the month of January 2021. All of them were seen at a nearby lowland forest. Watching butterflies can be easy because they can be seen most of the time except during winter months, raining days or during the night.

Yellow-disc Tailless Oakblue (Arhopala perimuta regina)

This is a rare butterfly in this region. I was lucky to be able take its photo as it came out momentarily from the mid-storey of some dense trees. It appears like it is depositing eggs in the above photo.

Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti)

'Branded Imperial' and 'Common Posy' (above) continued to be the most often seen butterfly species in the month of January. Most of the time they can be seen alongside the trail.

Mottled Bush Brown (Mycalesis janardana sagittigera)

This butterfly is common year round.

Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana)

The above is a male and it is common in the forest. It has the most interesting looking caterpillar especially during the 3rd instar. 

Great Egg-fly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina)

Most of the time I have seen them under the bright sunlight unlike the above "Archduke".

Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas)

This could be a seasonal butterfly (i.e with a dry and wet morph version) and is reported to be more abundant from 300m asl and above.

Malayan Plum Judy (Arbisara saturata kausambioides)

I believe the 'Malayan Plum Judy' is an uncommon butterfly in this region.

"WATCHING BUTTERFLIES IS SIMPLY FUN AND EXCITING"