Common Skippers of Peninsular Malaysia

Skippers are little butterflies from the family "Hesperiidae". They are tiny little insects which you can sometimes spot stationing itself quietly on an exposed leave beside the forest trail or sometimes you can just see them zipping past you like a rocket. Here are some of them which were seen in a lowland forest patch. 

Gem Demon (Ancistroides gemmifer gemmifer)

This is a rather uncommon skipper. It is differentiated from other "Bobs" by its pale purplish spots on its underside which can be clearly seen here. 

Bright Orange Palm Dart (Telicota augias stinga)

They can be quite common in the open areas of forest trail.

Coconut Skipper (Hidari irava)

It has been awhile since I last saw the above skipper. Reported to be common in residential areas where you can find its namesake plant. Apparently at one time it is also considered a pest. 

Malayan Yellow-veined Lancer (Pyroneura latoia latoia)

This skipper did not stay long enough for me to get a good shot. It flew just above my feet and stayed for less than a minute. Skittish indeed. Reported to be uncommon and localised.

Correction: this is a Sumatran Bob (Arnetta verones)

This is quite a large size skipper at 2.3cm. Essentially a forest skipper but can be commonly found.

Peninsular Ace (Halpe pelethronix)

Most likely a common lowland skipper as I have seen them on many occasions.

Indian Palm Bob (Suastus gremius gremius)

Although reported to be common, this is the first time I have manage to photographed this species.

Fullstop Swift  (Caltoris cormosa)

You can indeed see some tiny "full stop" marks above its forewing area (i.e between space 4 and 5).

Common Palm Dart (Telicota colon stinga)

As its name suggests, it is most likely one of those common dartlets.

Brown Bob (Psolos fuligo fuligo)

A common forest skipper

Lesser Dart (Pothantus omaha omaha)

Bright Red Velvet Bob (Koruthaialos sindu sindu)

AHOY ! SKIPPERS !

Graphium ramaceus pendleburyi (Pendlebury's Zebra)

This is essentially an uncommon forest butterfly. It came out in mid morning and started puddling on a road at the edge of a small jungle.

Based on the markings of its underwing, this is a male.

A front view of a male Pendlebury's Zebra

Its such as gentle flier. So I manage to get a flight photo as it flew just above the road surface. 

Same butterfly but the above photo was captured under direct sunlight. 

Flying further away.

WHAT A JOY WATCHING THIS BUTTERFLY.

The differences between Common Posy and Branded Imperial Butterflies

Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei) and Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti) can be commonly found in certain areas especially in or near forested regions but certainly not in open fields or your neighbourhood parks. So far I have been seeing a number of them since December until now. 

Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei)

Common Posy are slightly smaller than Branded Imperial and I also found them to be a bit more skittish too.

Once they start nectaring / puddling, it's easier to take their photos. 

Two lovey-dovey Common Posies mating. The one on the right is a female and the male is on the left.

Here's a male Common Posy showing its partial upper-side wings.

The above is probably a worn out male Common Posy.

An upper side comparison between a male and female Common Posy

                                                                                      

                    Male                                                              Female                    

Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti)

They are just about 1cm larger than Common Posy

I have yet to obtain their upper wings profile.

Here's a side-by-side comparison between a Common Posy and a Branded Imperial

                                                                                  

Branded Imperial                                        Common Posy

                                                                                

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST WHILE YOU CAN !

Elymnias nesaea lioneli (Tiger Palmfly)

According to literature, most Elmynias genus are rare breed of butterflies. To be able to photographed a rare butterfly like this Tiger Palmfly it's usually only happened by chance. According to a veteran, 50 years ago Tiger Palmflys were abundant in Klang Valley. Well, it was also reported that one can actually find a seladang or a tiger in Jalan Ipoh during that time. 

Tiger Palmfly (Elymnias nesaea lioneli)

Due to its cryptic colors, one can hardly spot this species if it hides inside a deep shady undergrowth. I was lucky that it came out in the open.

Its intricate colors and pattern on its wings were designed so well that if it hadn't moved, I would have just pass it as another rotten leaf.

Most literature said that in the butterfly world the female butterflies reign - it means that it is much more difficult to spot a female butterfly than a male one. The one seen here could be a male Tiger Palmfly based on its darker forewing colors and pattern. This one here tried to find refuge on some thorny palm trees to deter me from getting closer to it.

Then it flew deeper into the forest and I went after it. The above photo was taken using higher ISO in a thick undergrowth.

I tried to get closer but the thick bushes and thorny leaves just prevented me. The above photo was taken using an internal flash. Such vast contrast.

It's such a pleasant thing to watch butterflies especially when we encounter rare ones like this Tiger Palmfly.

Zemeros emesoides emesoides (The Malayan Punchinello)

The Malayan Punchinello (Zemeros emesoides emesoides) is a rather uncommon butterfly in this region. It is one of the only two species of the "Zemeros" genus found here. The other one is the slightly more "common" Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas albipunctatus).

Like its close relative i.e the "Punchinello", this "Malayan Punchinello" strives better in a hilly terrain.

I was quite lucky to see it recently.

A side profile of the 'Malayan Punchinello'

This one here is quite friendly as it allows me for a close view. In fact I could even touch it if I want to!

This butterfly hardly open its wings widely like other butterflies.

Here are some photos of another Malayan Punchinello taken at the same location a few weeks after the above.

The above new one is slightly smaller and its forewing is also shorter.

I am assuming that it might just came out of pupation (an immature).

A few minutes later, a Pin-stripped Tit Babbler was seen taking a 'bite' at one of its hind wings.

Such a wonderful butterfly !

Malayan Tail Judy (Abisara savitri savitri)

Malayan Tail Judy (Abisara savitri savitri) is a forest dwelling butterfly. It is generally uncommon in this region and is reported to be more abundant in hilly areas such as in Fraser's Hill. 

If it can avoid predation, I think it can live for quite a long time as I have been seeing this one for the past two weeks. According to literature, the life span of an adult butterfly is generally between 20 - 30 days and some even more (ref: Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World). 

This butterfly can be skittish at times.

Its color is generally rusty brown as you can see here. 

This butterfly is not a fast flier. It generally "hops" / "flutters" from one place to another. 

A frontal look

"NATURE GIVES US IMMENSE JOY SO WE MUST TREASURE THEM"