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"

Butterflies in January 2021

Here are some butterflies which were seen in the month of January 2021. All of them were seen at a nearby lowland forest. Watching butterflies can be easy because they can be seen most of the time except during winter months, raining days or during the night.

Yellow-disc Tailless Oakblue (Arhopala perimuta regina)

This is a rare butterfly in this region. I was lucky to be able take its photo as it came out momentarily from the mid-storey of some dense trees. It appears like it is depositing eggs in the above photo.

Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti)

'Branded Imperial' and 'Common Posy' (above) continued to be the most often seen butterfly species in the month of January. Most of the time they can be seen alongside the trail.

Mottled Bush Brown (Mycalesis janardana sagittigera)

This butterfly is common year round.

Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana)

The above is a male and it is common in the forest. It has the most interesting looking caterpillar especially during the 3rd instar. 

Great Egg-fly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina)

Most of the time I have seen them under the bright sunlight unlike the above "Archduke".

Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas)

This could be a seasonal butterfly (i.e with a dry and wet morph version) and is reported to be more abundant from 300m asl and above.

Malayan Plum Judy (Arbisara saturata kausambioides)

I believe the 'Malayan Plum Judy' is an uncommon butterfly in this region.

"WATCHING BUTTERFLIES IS SIMPLY FUN AND EXCITING"