Saturday 30 July 2022

A tribute to a rare butterfly - Red Imperial (Suasa lisides suessa)

This post was specially created for a rare butterfly which was seen in July 2022 in Perak. This butterfly is quite small - probably just around 1.1cm (about the size of a Megisba malaya - Malayan Pied Blue).

My initial thoughts was that it might be a small flying insect. When I saw its tail only then I realised that it is a butterfly



On further observation my thoughts was that it could be some Drupadia or a Cheritra species but its small size was something which I have never seen before


In addition to its tiny size, it had also constantly perched high above my head which makes sharp photography a much difficulty thing to operate.


Occasionally it would fly deeper into the bushes and then return again after a few minutes.


 

It is also can be quite skittish - only allowed distant shots.



I am so fortunate to see this butterfly as I only realised its rarity status when I got home.



Hopefully I can see it again and get a much sharper photo of this rare species of butterfly.


HAPPY BUTTERFLY WATCHING !!






Saturday 16 July 2022

Butterflies in July 2022 (1st half)

Looks like the month of July has been a productive month. With a couple of bright sunny days and a few public holidays in the mix, the butterfly numbers have also been increased. Hence their photos in July 2022 will have to be separated into two parts. Here are some of those interesting ones seen.

It's not easy to take a photo of a butterfly in flight (BIF). Luckily this one was fluttering just about the right timing for a distant shot. 

This is a Burmese Sailor (Neptis leucoporous cresina) instead of a Clear Sailor (Neptis clinia leuconata)



The next butterfly below is not as common as it sounds. Nevertheless according to some butterfly spotters, they can occasionally be seen quite often in some locations.

Common Sergeant (Athyma perius perius)



This one was seen in Penang mainland.


Its underwings are equally nice.



Chequered Lancer (Plastingia naga)

Hardly seen their open wings. So this one was identified from the white streak at its costa forewings.



Palm King (Amatthusia phidippus phidippus)

This is a large butterfly with an interesting looking ocelli.


It was foraging among the jungle litter - even squeezing itself under some leaves.



Palm King can be quite skittish but this time it was friendly to me.



Trying to identify the next two butterflies can be quite challenging for me because I have yet to master their key features. Luckily there are some mahagurus/sifus in the FB group to assist me.

The above is a female Malay Baron (Euthalia monina monina)



The above is a female Taneacia pelea pelea (Malayan Viscount)



The next few butterflies are real gems


The colour of its upperwings are so stunning that you will just forget about trying to take its photo. It has shining metallic green and a patch of light blue. 

Common Gem (Poritia hewitsoni


It took me two trips to take this photos. The first time it was seen about 50 meters away. So I decided to try my luck again the following week. Lo and behold, on my second trip, it came much nearer to me. 

Common Gem (Poritia hewitsoni

This butterfly is full of love I guess - there were so many love signs on its wings as you can see.



Sometimes luck can strike twice as the following gem also came nearby on my second trip.

Sumatran Gem (Poritia sumatranae)

Initially I thought I was seeing the same butterfly but after scrutinising its underwings patterns, I realised that I have just got another gem.


Sumatran Gem (Poritia sumatranae)

I smiled all the way home and slept happily thereafter :-) 



MORE BUTTERFLY PHOTOS COMING YOUR WAY

STANDBY FOR THE 2ND PART !




Monday 11 July 2022

Butterflies in May and June 2022

Here are some interesting butterfly photos collated between the two months. 

Magpie Crow (Euploea radamanthus radamanthus)

Male



Malayan Punchinello (Zemeros emesoides)



Malayan Punchinello (Zemeros emesoides)




Glassy Caerulean (Parasaturatus paramalaccanus)



Common Cerulean (Jamides celeno aelianus)



Short-banded Sailer (Phaedyma columella singa)

Rare



Malayan Bush Brown (Mycalesis fusca fusca)



Shining Plushblue (Flos fulgida) - maybe?



Pointed Palmfly - Elymnias penanga penanga (hislopi)



Contiguous Swift (Polytremis lubricans lubricans)



Contiguous Swift (Polytremis lubricans lubricans)




Chestnut Angle (Odotoptilum angulatum angulatum)




Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis similis)




Brush Flitter (Hyarotis microstica)



Dried Leaf Palmfly - Elymnias casiphone saueri (Distant)

Female




Spotted Spark (Sinthusa malika amata)

Uncommon



Malayan Tailed Judy (Abisara savitri savitri)




Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris)







Burmese Sailer (Neptis leucopurus)



 Courtesan (Euripus nyctelius)





Malayan Yellow-veined Lancer (Pyroneura latoia)

Identified from the white line at its costa.






Darkie Plushblue (Flos anniella anniella)





Common Gem (Poritia hewitsoni) - possible






Harlequin (Taxila haquinus haquinus)

Male





Harlequin (Taxila haquinus haquinus)

Female





Yamfly (Loxura atymnus)






Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos)






Jamides celeno






A 'muhibah' group. When it is makan time, they can mix together.



UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
HAPPY LOOKING AT BUTTERFLIES







Butterflies in February 2024

There were a quite a number of females seen in February which means that if they start laying eggs now, their new broth can emerge sometime ...