I have been to this hill many times, both as a tourist as well as a nature explorer. This hill is actually not as high as Fraser's Hill (FH). Its just about 800 meters asl as compared to FH which is about 1400 meters asl. In terms of butterfly species count and like other hill stations, it would depend on the weather as well as the flowering season. In this trip, I have been quite lucky to see many species at one go ! Some of them are quite rare and a few lifers too naturally. Like many people would say: "been at the right place and at the right time". The 'right time' here not only means at the right day/date but it also means at right moment when the flowers are blooming at their peak.
I will start this post with my first lifer.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
Female
She was seen fluttering casually amongst the lantana flowers. Sampling one petal at a time.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
She was seen near to a tourist spot.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
Like I have mentioned before, Cethosia species seems to just love the Lantana flowers.
Red Lacewing
Cethosia biblis perakana
I watch her for a couple more minutes before she moved further down the ravine searching for more flowering nectar to fill her belly.
Ariadne merione ginosa
The day was cloudy and it did rained for awhile in the morning. After the rain stops, out came this uncommon Castor.
Ariadne merione ginosa
It was seen on the ground instead.
This Blue was actually the first butterfly I saw. It was seen just by the roadside.
Junonia orithya wallacei
Male
At that time, the flowers of Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata), were blooming everywhere at this place. This Blue Pansy species which is more common in the lowlands / coastal regions is the first I have seen so high up on a hill.
Blue Pansy
Junonia orithya wallacei
This female Blue Pansy was however, seen nearer to the earlier Red Lacewing.
Junonia orithya wallacei
This is the second male seen nearby. There were enough flowers for both of them.
It looks like a Banded Dandy (Laringa horsfieldii) I honestly believe.
A few Aces were also seen nearby.
Halpe ormenes vilasina
Halpe elena
This Halpe is my new lifer.
As I make my way to the second location, I saw this Lemon trying to squeeze herself into some thick bushes.
Lemon Emigrant
Catopsilia pomona pomona f. pomona
Lemon Emigrant
Catopsilia pomona pomona f. pomona
She has also became my new lifer :-)
This second location was slightly lower than the first one and it has a different set of species.
A magnifique photo of this great one.
Flos diardi capeta
Flos anniella anniella
Both the above Flos were seen nearby to each other.
Acacia Blue
Surendra virvarna amisena
Acacia Blue
Surendra virvarna amisena
Looks like we have a male here.
Malayan Swift
Caltoris malaya
Drupadia rufotenia ryfotenia
The last location was a jackpot ! This was where I saw many more species. Luckily the sun came out at the right moment too. There were many skippers at this place.
Telicota ohara jix
Potanthus rectifasciatus
I believe this is an uncommon Skipper/Dart.
Oblique-branded Dart
Potanthus rectifasciatus
Detached Dart
Potanthus trachala tytleri
This skipper can be found in lowlands too.
This one below here is my lifer skipper.
Caltoris brunnea caera
Not everyday you see a skipper takes on Lantana flowers.
Dark-branded Ace
Caltoris brunnea caera
Quite a large size skipper.
Dark-branded Ace
Caltoris brunnea caera
As you can see, there are basically only two types of flowers available at that time i.e Lantana and Siam Weed. Not many choices to choose from but they (the butterflies) don't mind cause they are probably very hungry up there.
Dark-branded Ace
Caltoris brunnea caera
Halpe flava
another lifer for me.
Couple Yellow Ace
Halpe flava
When photographing a skipper, try your best to get all angles so that identification of the species can be made easier.
Couple Yellow Ace
Halpe flava
The closer and sharper the photo, the better will be the identification.
Lotongo calathus calathus
Amongst all the skippers here, this fella is the friendliest. It allows me to get very close to it.
Euploea radamanthus
A very common species near the forest edges and hill sides.
Another great one.
Chersonesia rahria rahria
There were a few Brownies seen and this one is my lifer.
Common Brownie
Miletus chinensis learchus
Like the case of most Brownies, it flies non stop.
Common Brownie
Surprisingly it did.
Common Brownie
Miletus chinensis learchus
Apparently, according to the literature, this Miletus are usually found at the higher elevations. So this location seems to fit its description.
Lingering not too far away was its slightly larger cousin.
Miletus gigantes
Plautella cossaea pambui
At this location, I saw three variations of Autumn Leaf at one sitting.
Doleschallia bisaltide
Autumn Leaf
They all look different all right.
Here's a not so common Nacaduba.
Nacaduba agusta keriana
Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris
Competing nearby for the flowers was this Birdwing.
Common Birdwing
Troides helena
Common Birdwing
Troides helena
They were really territorial when it comes to food. It flew away and took a rest after 'jostling' with the above Common Rose.
When the above two left, this 'Crow' came.
Euploea tulliolus ledereri
Dwarf Crow
Euploea tulliolus ledereri
This is probably the only place where you will have a higher chance to see this lil crow.
It was quite skittish and it didn't stay long. After the above shot, it left the place for good.
Lasippa heliodore dorelia
Here is another lifer
Lasippa tiga cambodia
This is a rare Lascar I believe.
I will wrap up this post with another two new lil lifers.
Spalgis epius epius
It's quite a small butterfly at 1.0cm and believe me, it's not common.
Lastly, another small lifer at just 1.1cm.
Logaria marmorata damis
Surely this is also an uncommon species.
All in all I believe I saw at least 20 species and 7 - 8 new species of butterflies. I have even omitted some Yellow Grass, Ypthima and Nacaduba from my list. If I have stayed longer for another day who knows I might add a few more but I guess I will save it for the next trips. Plan your trips well and go for the jackpot.
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