Butterflies in December 2024

Wow ! it's almost year end. 2024 had come and about to finish soon. It has been more than a decade since I started seriously into butterfly spotting. So far I have recorded more than 500 species from Peninsular Malaysia alone and there are about 500+ more to go. It will get harder to see more lifers from now onwards but there are still so much to look forward to in this hobby.  

Blue Catseye

Coelites epiminthia epiminthia

When there are not many lifers to see, I will go for aesthetic shots like this one. Not so easy to get an open wing shot of this species. Patience and timing are the keys.

Common Rose

Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris

This is the best shot I have on this species so far. Such a vibrant colours it has.

Common Rose

Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris

This one is most likely a male.

Common Rose

Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris

The same individual with an open wing.

Archduke

Lexias pardalis dirteana

It landed just next to my feet.

The Wizard

Rhinopalpa polynice eudoxia 

The Wizard

Rhinopalpa polynice eudoxia 

I think many people would prefer the underside shot.

Black-veined Tiger

Danaus melannipus hegesippus

I spent close to 10 minutes in the middle of hot sun for this shot.

It's always nice to be able to identify an Arhopala like this one.

De niceville's Oakblue

Arhopala agrata agrata

De niceville's Oakblue

Arhopala agrata agrata

An open wing shot makes it even better.

Moore's Ace

Halpe porus

Wow ! this is an uncommon skipper.

Moore's Ace

Halpe porus

Another 'Halpe'. This one is more common.

Banded Ace

Halpe zema zamba

Banded Ace

Halpe zema zamba

An upperside shot.

Banded Ace

Halpe zema zamba

This 'Ace' was seen at Hulu Langat area.

Banded Ace

Halpe zema zamba

This marking is quite unique.

Pale-marked Ace

Halpe hauxwelli

Lots of skippers this time.

Detached Dart

Potanthus trachala tytleri

This skipper was only seen in S'pore as recent as 2022. Over here it's quite common.

Detached Dart

Potanthus trachala tytleri

Here is something interesting.

Could this be a Chinese Dart (Potanthus confucius dushta)?

Chinese Dart

Potanthus confucius dushta

It was seen at a foothill.

Here is a comparison.

                                                               

                 Narrow-branded Palm Dart                                           Chinese Dart                                  Telicota ohara jix                                             Potanthus confucius  

Narrow-branded Palm Dart

Telicota ohara jix   

Enough of skippers. Lets move on to other species.

  Bright Sunbeam

Curetis bulis stigmata

Malayan Wanderer

Pareronia valeria lutescens

This is a rare female form.

Orange Gull

Cepora iudith malaya

Nice species and quite common.

Lesser Cruiser

Vindula dejone erotella

This is quite a strong flyer.

Forest Grass Yellow

Eurema simulatrix tecmessa

Fluffy Tit

Zeltus amasa maximinianus

What was the ant thinking/doing I wonder?

 

                                                                                      
                                       Common Redeye                                   

                         Matapa aria                       

        

        This skipper can be seen in many locations when in season.             

Malay Rajah

Charaxes distanti distanti

Striped Ringlet

Ragadia makuta siponta

Appearing quite often from November and December especially in the hilly areas.

Common lowland butterflies in November 2024

Here are a few lowland species photos which were taken this month. Surprisingly I still managed to get one lifer in such a cold and rainy weather.

Great Mormon

(Papilio memnon agenor f. esperi)

Literature has described this Ssp of Great Mormon as common but somehow this is only the first time I am seeing it.

Here is another elusive female.

Great Egg-fly

(Hypolimnas bolina bolina f. nerina)

Malayan Zebra 

(Graphium delessertii delessertii)

Apparently this is a male - identified from the yellow/orange tornal patch on HW.

Malayan Zebra 

(Graphium delessertii delessertii)

It's smaller than the female.

Puddling side-by-side.

Lesser Jay 

(Graphium evemon eventus)

Bush Hopper 

(Ampittia dioscorides camertes)

A small skipper at just 1cm and this is only the second time I saw this species.

Bush Hopper 

(Ampittia dioscorides camertes)

Common Sergeant 

(Athyma perius perius)

A pristine specimen and it stop right in front of me. What a lucky day !

Yellow Archduke

(Lexias canescens pardalina)

This species is not rare but you hardly see them as compared to other Lexias. This is a male which is much smaller than a female.

Burmese Lascar

(Lasippa heliodore dorelia)

It shows all the pertinent features for this species.

A seldom seen upperside of this Pithauria

Light Straw Ace

(Pithauria stramineipennis Stramineipennis)

Male.

They both look slightly different but they are actually the same fella.

                                                                        

    Malay Rajah

                           (Charaxes distanti distanti)                    

Common Tit 

(Hypolycaena erylus teatus)

 
Vinous Oakblue

(Arhopala athada athada)

              

Here's is an uncommon skipper          

            

   Demon Flitter

(Oerane microthyrus neaera)

        Demon Flitter

     (Oerane microthyrus neaera)

                It was shot at my local patch - APH        

Magpie Crow

(Euploea radamanthus)

This species is also quite common in hill stations like in Fraser's Hill

Coconut Skipper

(Hidari irava)

Saw this skipper in broad daylight

Plush

(Sithon nedymond nedymond)

Male

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS !!