Butterflies of Ulu Langat Forest - May 2016

Watching and identifying butterflies can be just as tricky as birding. Some of them can be straight forward while some may need your closer observation. Have a look at the photo of the following skipper:

It has dark brown underside and a creamy white band. Your first thought could be a "Dark Banded Ace" (Halpe ormenes). But it was actually just a "Common Banded Demon" (Notocrypta paralysos).

Here it is again from another angle. In bright light, the all black color description associated with this skipper would have distorted the views of some people.

The other butterflies seen in this forest area are more straightforward:

Banded Yeoman (Cirrochroa orissa)

Small Leopard (Phalanta alcippe alcesta)

This "leopard" surely wont eat humans.

Chestnut Bob (Lambrix salsala salsala)

This skipper is however less confusing on its features.

Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida)

One of the most common butterfly which you can find in inland forest.

Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)

The most common 'swallowtails' which you will encounter. This photo was taken while it was still fluttering.


There are not many butterflies seen around lately. Could it be due to the current hot weather or perhaps i was just not paying much attention.


HAPPY BUTTERFLYING !

Swamp Tiger (Danaus affinis)

Sorry to disappoint you but this is not a real tiger. It was just a 'common' butterfly but it is reportedly a mangrove specialist. Saw this swamp thing at a mangrove area at Kuala Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia recently.

Side view

Front view

Looks quite menacing from the front.

View from the top

Saw at least 5 of them and they can be quite quarrelsome among themselves.

Have a Great Butterflying Year ahead !

Butterflies of Rice Fields - Dec 2015

Rice Fields are usually open areas with vast flat terrains. From the month of November to December, the rice fields in Peninsular Malaysia are usually ready to be harvested and the scenery can be spectacular. Despite the weather which can be really hot around the rice fields, i have found several butterflies which can withstand such extreme weather.

Common Evening Brown

This 'Evening Brown' is the wet weather morph which coincide with the current monsoon season.

Grey Pansy

Not a very sharp photo but this Great Pansy (Junonia atlites) is reported to have only one morph through out its range.

Tawny Coster

Just like the above Grey Pansy, this Tawny Coster also has no subspecies through out its range as reported by the experts.

After spending some time at the rice fields, i moved to a more shady location near the forest edge. 

Painted Jezebel

Most Jezebels are colorful and can be easily seen.

This could be a common crow or according to Dr Kirton's field guide, it should be a "Spotted Black Crow" (Euploea crameri)

'Common Four Ring' butterflies are quite common and can be easily found in your gardens.

Great Egg Fly

The above 'Great Egg Fly' can be found at your kampung and even your garden at times.

Have a Great Year 2016 !