Butterflies of Fraser's Hill - October 2015

Fraser's Hill is certainly more than just a dream vacation getaway. This is also a place where nature lovers can explore its avifauna spectacle enclave within its rustic and colonial charm. Whenever i visited this place, time just seem to stood still at this nostalgic hill. Besides birds and insects (bugs i mean) , there are lots of butterflies to be seen too and here are just some of them.

Redspot Jezebel (Delias descombesi)

This is probably its ssp called D. descombesi eranthos.

I was lucky enough to be able to take a shot of it in flight. 

Apparently even some experts have difficulty to identify "Crows" or scientifically called "Euploea".

But i believe the above butterfly was just a "Striped Blue Crow" (Euploea mulciber). See its other image below.

Next up is a butterfly which appears to be a "Malayan Lacewing" (Cethosia hypsea)

The above 'Lacewing' was earlier identified as a 'Malayan Lacewing' but after careful examination this should be a 'Leopard Lacewing' (Cethosia cyane). This and the above "Stripped Blue Crow" were seen nearby together, sunning their wings in the early morning. Lacewings are usually not edible because they are reported to be poisonous.

Cream Orange Tip (Ixias alticola)

This is an interesting butterfly. If you have seen a "Yellow Orange Tip" butterfly in person, you will realise that its yellow FW patch/band actually looks more orangey than yellow. Despite trying many types of settings, the orangey color continues to turned up yellow. Since it has been spotted  in Fraser's Hill, it could have been instead a male "Cream Orange Tip" (Ixias alticola) as described by Kirton (2014) fieldguide.

Common Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos)

Could this skipper be related to the ssp feisthamelii as it was found higher than its nominated taxa's habitat?

Common Five Ring (Ypthima baldus)

Apparently "Common Five Ring" are quite widespread in this region. Looking at its eyespots which are much smaller and evenly sized, this butterfly could have been a Y. horsfieldii instead. 

Common Three Ring (Y.pandocus)

Seen nearby with the above "5 Ring" was this "3 Ring" and the photo below shows its upperside when opened.

Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas)

This "Punchinello" was certainly a lifer butterfly for me. Seen for the first time although it is reported to be quite common near the jungle edges. I will show more of its photos in my future posting.

Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon)

You will usually see "Bluebottle" more often in lowland forest than up in the hills.

These flowers can attract butterflies like a magnate.

BUTTERFLIES ARE LIKE JEWELS OF THE FOREST AND GARDEN !

Butterflies at Bukit Rengit - Sept 2015

Recently i went for a half-day birding trip at Bukit Rengit which is located at the State of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Although the trip was more on birds but i did try a few shots at some of the butterflies.

Orsotriaena medus

Its common name is "Dark Grass Brown and it was found near the forest edge.

Cirichlora emalea emalea

Saw this "Malay Yeoman" wandering in the middle of the road and under the hot scorching sun. Then i realised that it was going to puddle at a dead animal carcass.

Parthenos sylvia

Commonly known as the "Clipper". Seen getting some minerals from the granite stones - probably the minerals were left by some animals.

Lastly this "Common Rose" stayed long enough for a photo shoot.

Pachliopta aristolochiae

I also saw a few "Stripped Blue Crow" (male) and "Lesser Stripped Black Crow" flying around. 

Overall this place could be a productive place for butterfly watching.

Elymnias esaca (Green Palmfly)

Elymnias esaca

Initially this butterfly was thought to resemble a Jezebel Palmfly (Elymnias Vasudeva). But after seeking confirmation from local expert, Dr Laurence Kirton confirmed that it was a female 'Elymnias escaca' which can be found in Peninsular Malaysia but just not so common ! It was alone at that time and was quite skittish as well. Photo was taken in the early afternoon. Location: Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.

Here is Dr Laurence Kirton's explanation: "It is easily confused with Elymnias vasudeva, which has a slightly different wing shape and lacks black submarginal spots. E. esaca also has less heavy black markings on the underside". 

After obtaining confirmation from Dr Laurence K, i decided to look closely at Jezebel Palmfly's photos, and found that they indeed do not have spots towards its hindwings as compared to E. esaca ! Wow didn't know that identifying butterflies can be a real challenge as well.  

Photo id credit: Dr Laurence Kirton from Malaysia and Mr SK Khew from Singapore.