Friday, 3 April 2026

Butterflies in March 2026 - the hunt for lifers continues.

The month of March came and went faster than Captain Marvel could blink his eyes. There's only one confirmed lifer this month and here it is:

My lifer in March 2026

Malayan Assyrian 

Terinos clarissa malayana

I think this genus of Assyrian is in season at the moment. Saw many of them in a few locations but this one is an exception. 


Malayan Assyrian 

Terinos clarissa malayana

Initially I thought this could just be another common Royal Assyrian (T. terpander robertsia). Only after I posted in a butterfly study group FB that I found it is another subspecies of Assyrian. Although it is reported to be common at this site in Hulu Langat but I think it is more localised and hence uncommon in other areas.


This Oakblue could be my second lifer if its identification proves correct.


Pale Yellow Oakblue 

Arhopala mooliana 



A few more Arhopala species were seen this month

Lesser Disc Oakblue

Arhopala lurida


Here is an interesting Arhopala ! Initially I thought this could be an Arhopala stinga but after some close examinations, it proves to be a different one.


Long-celled Oakblue

Arhopala aurea

This is quite common at my local hill side.



Long-celled Oakblue

Arhopala aurea

This photo was taken w/o a flash light.


The abundance of Curetis species is quite evident in March.

Narrow-banded Sunbeam (edited from Regular Sunbeam)

Curetis insularis  

It has a nice creamy-white underside appearance.



Regular Sunbeam or Narrow-banded Sunbeam?

I think it looks more like a Narrow-banded Sunbeam (Curetis insularis). 



Here's another comparison but at a different location in Hulu Langat.

Narrow-banded Sunbeam

Curetis insularis pseudoinsularis (Fruhstorfer)

I think this Sunbeam is less common.



Narrow-banded Sunbeam

Curetis insularis pseudoinsularis (Fruhstorfer)

Looks like a male I believe.



I think this one is more like a Bright Sunbeam rather than a Malayan Sunbeam (C. santana).

Curetis bulis stigmata



As usual there were higher concentration of  Jamides Sp and Nacaduba Sp at this time of the year.

Large Four-line Blue

Nacaduba pactolus odon

Initially I thought this could be a N. solta but was promptly corrected by a sifu from SG.


This Nacaduba species is less common I believe.

White Four-line Blue 

Nacaduba agusta keriana


This Caerulean species is apparently uncommon in SG !

Glistening Caerulean

Jamides elpis pseudelpis 


Here is a 'controversial' species which after much examination and probing, the butterfly tribe here has unanimously decided and cleared the smog on this species.

Silver Forget-me-not 

Catochrysops panormus exiguus

Note: the small black spot seen here is closer to the postdiscal band / fascia than in a Forget-me-not (C. strabo strabo) which also has one. This feature is widely known within the butterfly community but is not visibly mention in the field guides it seems.



Four-bar Swordtail

Graphium agetes iponus (Westwood)

This Swordtail is no longer very rare. 



Small Leopard

Phalanta alcippe alcesta 



Small Leopard

Phalanta alcippe alcesta 

This is a different individual shot at a different location.


Always love to see a Simiskina or a Poritia no matter whether they are common or not.

Blue-line Brilliant 

Simiskina pharyge dolina

Majority of these species are found up on the higher lands. This one is probably the lowland one.



Blue-line Brilliant 

Simiskina pharyge dolina

This is also probably the most common one among them.



Common Yeoman

Cirrochroa tyche rotundata

Saw quite a number of them in different locations in March.



Common Yeoman

Cirrochroa tyche rotundata

Not as common as it sounds I believe.




Cycad Blue

Luthrodes pandava pandava



There were a few skippers seen but most of them are quite common and skittish except this one.


Dark Banded Ace

Halpe ormenes visalina



Chocolate Pansy

Junonia iphita horsfieldi

Fancy seeing a Pansy with a blue thorax? Note: it's very much alive and skittish.



Here are some nice and memorable shots to end this month's post.


Fivebar Swordtail

Graphium antiphates itamputi




Chocolate Albatross

Appias lyncida vasava


THAT'S ALL FOR THIS MONTH. HOPEFULLY I CAN BRING MORE EXCITING AND NEW LIFERS NEXT MONTH. 

SAYONARA MONSIEUR !





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Butterflies in March 2026 - the hunt for lifers continues.

The month of March came and went faster than Captain Marvel could blink his eyes. There's only one confirmed lifer this month and here i...