Butterflies in Fraser's Hill - November 2024

Weather has been raining and cold in November 2024. I believe it will be the same in December. Nevertheless, in one of those rare sunny moments, I managed to find some time up in Malaysia's fame tourist spot - Fraser's Hill.  Over there I have got four new lifers this time. 

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

It is actually quite a small fella (just about 1.5cm)

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

Apparently it is a male that we saw.

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

I have discovered that the same species can also be found as far as Hong Kong, China. 

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

It prefers to stay at ground level most of the time.

The next lifer is a much bigger one.

Malayan Crow

(Euthalia camaralzeman malayica)

Malayan Crow

(Euthalia camaralzeman malayica / Euploea )

As compared to the Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber) which appeared in numbers, this 'Crow' was alone.

Striped Blue Crow

(Euploea mulciber mulciber)

                                                                        

Striped Blue Crow

(Euploea mulciber mulciber)

They appear to have very high forewings.

And the third lifer is surprisingly a Silverline.

Large Long-banded Silverline

(Spindasis seliga seliga)

 

This one is a surprise lifer.

Catius Rona Hedge Blue

Udara rona catius (Fruhstorfer)

Catius Rona Hedge Blue

Udara rona catius (Fruhstorfer)

Apparently this 'Udara' is more common in the highlands than lowlands.

We only saw two Awls this time. Maybe it's due to the weather I guess.

                                                            

                            White-banded Awl                                               Plain Banded Awl                                                       (Hasora taminatus malayana)                                     (Hasora vita vita)   

                            

       Both these Awls can also be found in the lowlands.

  Yellow Spot Swift

(Zenonoida eltola corbeti)

This is only my second time seeing this skipper. The first time was also in FH.

Lesser Gull

(Cepora nadina andersoni)

                                                                                                                         

            Lesser Gull                  

       (Cepora nadina andersoni)              

Spotted Sawtooth

(Prioneris thestylis malaccana)

This one you only get to see it in the highlands or hill stations.

                                                                          
                     It's certainly more 'meriah' (lively) to puddle in a group.              

                          

This is a Tailed Judy (Abisara neophron chelina)

This Abisara likes to be in the hilly areas.

Tailed Judy 

(Abisara neophron chelina)

Couldn't get a clear shot every time.

Dark Cerulean

(Jamides bochus nabonassar)

Another highlands species.

                                                                   
                                          Horsfield's Branded Yamfly                                             

            (Yasoda pita dohertyi)                  

This is one of my favorite butterflies.

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

It can also be found in lowlands like in Gopeng.

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

Looks like I have got a male there.

This one has several common names.

Brown-banded Ringlet / Striped Ringlet / Malayan Ringlet

(Ragadia makuta siponta)

This flowers belongs to a 'herbal' plant called 'Chinese Rain Bell' (Strobilanthes hamiltoniana) which happens to attract a skipper - most likely a Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos)  I think. 

This place is definitely a heaven for nature lovers. 

Until we meet again - SAYONARA !!