Butterflies in September 2026 - 5 lifers and many photos of other rare species

I am surprised that I have got FIVE lifers this month despite the rainy spell over in this region. Here are the five lifers:

Lifer # 1

Golden Oakblue 

Arhopala phanda phanda

I have always been fascinated with Arhopala species and there are many more subspecies to be discovered from this genus.

Lifer # 2

Distant's Silverstreak 

Iraota distanti distanti

I noticed that some literature have also named it as a Malayan Silverstreak !

Distant's Silverstreak 

Iraota distanti distanti

The above photo was borrowed from Simon who has managed to get its underside while I missed it. With the above sighting, I have now managed to photograph all the three Iraota subspecies which have been recorded in the Peninsular Malaysia ! 😋🙌

Lifer # 3

Yellow-chequered Lancer 

Plastingia pellonia 

I rushed this shot as it was skittish. Hopefully I will get a better of it the next time.

Lifer # 4

Overlapped Ace 

Halpe arcuata 

Happy to get this rare skipper. It was shot in Bukit Tinggi.

Lifer # 5

Purplish-gray Darter 

Salanoemia fuscicornis

I didn't see any purplish colour but the markings are there to confirmed this subspecies.

Purplish-gray Darter 

Salanoemia fuscicornis

Same individual but this photo was taken with a flash light. It is actually quite small (the size of the tip of your little finger)

After seeing the above lifers, now we moved to other "common" butterflies.

Lesser Harlequin 

Laxita thuisto thuisto

C&P 5 book has described its upperside wings as black but they should probably need to add / amend it as purplish-black as you can see from the above photo.

 

Lesser Harlequin 

Laxita thuisto thuisto

This is one of those prettiest 'Metalmarks' species which you can find in this region.

Glorious Begum

Agatasa calydonia calydonia

Always happy to see this rare and most colourful Begum over here. 

Intricate Jester 

Symbrenthia hypatia chersonesia

Although it's not rare but its quite localised hence it can be difficult to find in many places.

Tree-Nymph

Idea lynceus lynceus

I think this Nymph is more common in the lowlands while the Smaller-Wood Nymph (Ideopsis gaura) occupies the higher locations such as Fraser's, Genting and Bukit Tinggi (i.e from my own observations).

Branded Yamfly 

Yasoda pitane laruta

This is another highland species.

Tiger Palmfly

Elymnias nesaea lioneli  

I have not seen this Palmfly for many years until now.

Tiger Palmfly

Elymnias nesaea lioneli  

This one was seen in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

Here are a few more common Oakblues seen.

Dark Bushblue

Arhopala ammonides chunsu

Funny they don't call it an Oakblue somehow.😬

Arhopala stinga

No common name as yet.

Broad Yellow Oakblue 

Arhopala amphimuta amphimuta 

One of the butterfly spotters over here is developing an app just to ID the various Oakblue species in the field. Hopefully it can be ready soon.

Tail Disc Oakblue

Arhopala atosia jahara

Small Tailess Oakblue 

Arhopala antimuta antimuta

I can only named the above as a Rapala species for time being.

Note: My hunch is that it could just be a female Rapala pheretima. It can also perhaps be a Slate Flash (Rapala manea chozeba).

Nowadays there are AI assisted technology everywhere. So I decided to try it.

Four-bar Swordtail

Graphium agetes iponus (Westwood).

Bifid Plush Blue 

Flos diardi capeta

Happy to see this Flos again.

Bamboo Tree Brown

Lethe europa malaya

It was seen at its favourite place - a bamboo scrub. Note: this is a female.

Tawny Rajah 

Charaxes bernadus crepax 

This is also a female and she looked gorgeous with those bold markings. Note her extended cilia / tail.

Dark Blue Tiger

Tirumala septentrionis septentrionis 

It appears like a studio shot but it was actually taken in the forest.

I have received many "likes" from many people for the butterfly photos I have presented but this is the first time I got a thumbs up (👍) from the butterfly itself. 😊

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT MONTH !

👋