Saturday, 6 March 2021

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 augius)

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 (Potanthus omaha omaha)


Bright Red Velvet Bob (Koruthaialos sindu sindu)



AHOY ! SKIPPERS !

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

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.



Sunday, 28 February 2021

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 !

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