Butterflies in August 2021 (1st Half)

This month of August probably seen less butterflies due to the beginning of the monsoon season i.e "Monsoon Barat Daya" (Southwest Monsoon) which usually starts from May to September. Here are some of the ones seen during the 1st half of August.

When I first saw this mating pair, high up on the tree, I thought they might be a new species appearing at my local patch.

But luckily they flew down much to my relief.

Upon checking with my field guide, I discovered that they were actually a mating pair of Laringa castelnaui castelnaui or commonly known as "Blue Dandy".  

Malayan Snow Flat (Tagiades calligana)

Pointed Palmfly (Elymnias penanga penanga)

Great Egg-Fly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina)

Great Egg-Fly (Hypolimnas bolina jacintha) - female

Great Egg-Fly (Hypolimnas bolina jacintha) - female

In some butterflies, you will never get bored taking their photos over and over again.

Rustic (Cupha erymanthis lotis)

Rustic (Cupha erymanthis lotis)

Tiger Palmfly (Elymnias nesaea lioneli)

Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri) - under a shade

Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri) - in the open

This skipper below is probably the most significant find in the month of August.

Yellow Palm Dart (Cephrenes trichopepla)

The above skipper is reportedly originated from Australia. So far I can't find any literature which can describe how it came about in this region. According to SG Butterfly Circle, it was first spotted in S'pore in 1999 and in M'sia, LC Goh was probably the first to see it in March 2009. Since then, this skipper has been recorded in Johor, Malacca, NS, KL, Selangor and Penang. It resembles a lot like a Telicota, but it sheer size of 2cm will separate it from the much smaller Telicotas. I think they might be considered as uncommon here but this species can also be found in urban parks or your neighbourhood . 

For comparison, here is a Telicota

Orange Palm Dart (Telicota augias)

HAPPY BUTTERFLY WATCHING !