Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Butterflies of Genting Highland - 2024

Genting is well known for its resort and theme parks. A very commercialise place with only a few small pockets of forest remaining for nature lovers. Nevertheless there are still some interesting montane butterflies which you can't get to see them in lowlands. Here are just a few of them.


 Forest Pierrot 

Taraka hamada mendesia

A small butterfly with hairy legs.



Forest Pierrot 

Taraka hamada mendesia

Apparently this species can also be found as far as India and Japan.



Lesser Pierrot 

Taraka mahanetra

This Pierrot can only be found in this region.

Status: rare



Lesser Pierrot 

Taraka mahanetra

Looks like a female.




Red Caliph

Enispe duranius corbeti

This one I believe is also a montane / sub-montane species.



Red Caliph

Enispe duranius corbeti

So lucky to see it.



White-banded Oakblue

Arhopala ijanensis

Most of the montane Oakblues are quite rare including this one.



White-banded Oakblue

Arhopala ijanensis

It has a bright bluish upperside.




Powdered Oakblue

Arhopala bazalus bazalus




Tailed Judy

Abisara neophron chelina

This Abisara is only common in sub-montane areas for example from Fraser's Hill upwards (i.e about 1000 meters asl and above).



                                                                                   
                                              Horsfield's-branded Yamfly                                            
                             Yasoda pita dohertyi                         

This Yamfly is common only in hilly or sub-montane areas.



Branded Yamfly

Yasoda pitane laruta

This Yamfly is also a montane specialist.



White-banded Palmfly

Elymnias dara darina

So far I have not seen this Elymnias in lowlands.



Grey Count

Tanaecia lepidea matala

This Tanaecia is more common up on the hills rather than lowlands.



Grey Count

Tanaecia lepidea matala

An underside profile. Very dull looking.



Leopard Lacewing

Cethosia cyane

According to the CP book, this Lacewing is native to India and was only discovered here as latest as in 1997. I have never seen this Lacewing in any lowlands so far.



Leopard Lacewing

Cethosia cyane

I also noticed that Lacewings are quite fond with Latana flowers.



Now we come to some species which can be seen in the highlands as well as lowland areas.

Plain Green Palmer

Pirdana distanti distanti

Status: rare



Striped Green Palmer

Pirdana hyela rudolphii 

Status: rare / uncommon



Striped Green Palmer

Pirdana hyela rudolphii 

When I first saw this species, it was in one of the lowland trails but apparently it is reportedly more common in the higher elevations.



Detached Dart (edited)

Potanthus trachala tyleri (edited)



Detached Dart (edited)

Potanthus trachala tyleri (edited)

Initially I tot I saw a luzonensis but it turns out to be just a Potanthus.




Malayan Swift

Caltoris malaya

This is my best shot of this skipper. 




Malay Forest Bob

Scobura phiditia

This Bob can also be found in lowland areas such as in Hulu Langat.



Large Dart

Potanthus serina



Great Sergeant

Athyma larymna siamensis

My lifer.

Status: rare



Great Sergeant

Athyma larymna siamensis

It's larger than other Athyma.




Plain Lacewing / Orange Lacewing

Cethosia methypsea methypsea

This Lacewing is quite 'famous' in every highlands.



Plain Lacewing / Orange Lacewing

Cethosia methypsea methypsea




Malayan Lacewing

Cethosia hypsea hypsina

I have seen this one in the lowlands before as well.



White Tiger / Black-veined Tiger

Danaus chrysippus chrysippus

Another common species in the highlands.



White Tiger / Black-veined Tiger

Danaus chrysippus chrysippus

Occasionally you can also see them in the lowlands.



Smaller Wood-Nymph

Ideopsis gaura perakana

You can see them quite often in the hilly areas.





Striped Ringlet

Ragadia makuta siponta

This species can also be found in lowlands but they are more common in higher hills.



Malayan Snow Flat

Tagiades calligana 

I did not manage to see many Flats during my visits.




Common Snow Flat

Tagiades japetus

This Flat was seen at the trail head.




Blue Germ

Poritia erycinoides phraatica

Male



Blue Germ

Poritia erycinoides phraatica

Female



Blue Germ

Poritia erycinoides phraatica

Occasionally you can see this Gem in lowlands too.



Streak Blue Brilliant

Simiskina pheretia

This Simiskina is the most common one you will get to see in the highlands. Elsewhere I believe it should be uncommon.



Striped Blue Crow

Euploea mulciber mulciber

Female.


UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. 

AS MORE AND MORE OF THE LAND HERE ARE PRIVATELY OWNED, PLEASE DO KEEP SOME FOR US TO ENJOY NATURE HERE ! I HOPE TO GET MORE CHANCES TO SEE MORE LIFERS THE NEXT TIME!!







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Butterflies of Genting Highland - 2024

Genting is well known for its resort and theme parks. A very commercialise place with only a few small pockets of forest remaining for natur...