Butterflies in March 2021 (Part 2)

The month of March saw a combination of rain in the afternoon and sunshine in the morning. In between those weather patterns, I managed to tick my two hundreds (200 +) confirmed and photographed new butterfly species.

Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida vasava)

The above rather plain looking Chocolate Albatross maybe from a wet morph. It's a common butterfly from this region.

A frontal look of the male Chocolate Albatross.

The above is the female Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida vasava). It was seen together with the above male.

A male Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida vasava) in flight

A pair of Chocolate Albatross together with five Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe hecabe) puddling on a wet forest floor.

 Here is my 200 new butterfly

The Malayan Count (Tanaecia godartii asoka) 

The above is a male and its scientific name might be referring to an ancient Indian emperor named Ashoka from the Mauryan empire (about 268bc).  

White-banded Flat (Celaenorrhinus asmara asmara)

The above "flat" was my 201 newly photographed butterfly. It's considered an uncommon to rare butterfly in this region. Saw three of them in one location, chasing each other away from their favourite perch.  By late morning they were all gone in a wink of an eye. This "flat" was sunning itself and you can see the sun ray penetrating its left white discal band. 

Here is a rarely seen upperside of a Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ida)

It was sunning itself on top of a tree. I have to climb up a branch in order to take this photo.

Painted Jezebel (Deliashyparete metarete)

Although described as common but I think they are more seasonal as you don't see them everyday.

The upperside wings of a male Common Imperial (Cheritra freja frigga)

It's not like everyday they will open up their wings for you.

Here is the side profile of a male Common Imperial (Cheritra freja frigga). Each of its long tail can function autonomously (i.e independent from each other)  

Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei)

I have been seeing Common Posy together with Branded Imperial, Malayan Tailed-Judy and Malayan Plum Judy since December 2020 but with lesser numbers.

I think this could be an "Isma umbrosa umbrosa" (Large Long-banded Flitter)

Large Long-banded Flitter ?

Could this be a "Plain Tufted Lancer" (Isma iapis iapis) ?

Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos varians)

Not many people like to post skippers' photos but some of them can be quite attractive too.

Like this one below

Brown Bob (Psolos fuligo)

Lesser Dart (Pothanthus omaha omaha)

It just landed here from the Omaha beach.

The above butterfly was just a Common Cerulean (Jamides celeno celeno)

I initially thought that the above butterfly could be a 'Jamides alecto ageladas' but it was differentiated by the experts from a 'Common Cerulean' by the more straighter forewing lines on a 'Common Cerulean' as depicted below.

Another common butterfly - "Common Hedge Blue" (Acytolepis puspa lambi)

Here's a sailor who likes to eat papaya.

A Common Sailer (Neptis hylas papaja)

Its upperwings will look more brownish when in contact with direct sunlight.

Glad to see that this "Small Yellow Sailor" (Neptis miah batara) is still around. It was last seen here in January 2021. This time it was sunning itself high up on a tree.

A majestic looking male Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana) 

Its metallic blue shines brightly in a dense jungle.

RISE AND SHINE MY BUTTERFLIES !!

Butterflies in March 2021 (Part 1)

Here are a few butterflies' photo which were taken around KL and Selangor regions. Most of them were common though.

A Common Posy looking at its own "avatar".

Yamfly is still around on its favourite perch.

I didn't see any tigers or elephants but I did saw a "Small Leopard" (Phalanta alcippe alcesta)

It's a rather small size butterfly in real life.

Chocolate Demon (Ancistroides nigrita maura) is probably one of the most common 'bobs' you can find in this region.

A Rustic resting almost at the edge of an overhanging leave.

Tufted Jungle King (Thauria aliris pseudaliris)

This is a denizen of deep forest. It came out in the open area at the edge of a forest trail.

Despite its unpleasant looking condition, it was still satisfying to see this uncommon butterfly in the open. Unlike a "cicak" where it can grow back its tail, a butterfly can't regrow its wings once tattered. 

Grey Pansy (Junonia atlites atlites)

You will need to move very slowly if you want to get really close to this butterfly.

Arhopala democritus lycaenaria - White-dotted Oakblue

Despite its status as a common forest butterfly, this is the first time I am seeing it.

My more experienced butterfly friend has helped me to identify the above species as a "Common Mime" (Papilio clytia clytia). It floats gently like a butterfly but it certainly doesn't stint like a bee.

Neptis magadha charon

Common name: Spotted Sailor

Status: rare

I have differentiated it from "Neptis d. nesia" from the row of its forewing spots.

Royal Assyrian (Terinos terpander robertsia)

These are not really sharp photos as it was foraging under some thick jungle but I am just as thrilled to be able to capture its purple streak.

Yellow Flash (Rapala domitia domitia)

An uncommon forest butterfly which name sounds like a fishing lure brand and it looks a bit like the common yellow grass. 

Lastly I have always wanted to know the wing profile of a skipper. They have the unique ability to fold up their wings like a fighter jet.

With the help from a more experience butterfly researcher, here are his description of the wing profile of what I think could be a "Potanthus ganda ganda" (which is reported to be more common in the forested areas):

(1) & (2) are the forewings but (1) is upperside right forewing, (2) is underside left forewing; (3) is upperside left hindwing.

HAVE FUN WITH BUTTERFLIES !!

Butterflies in February 2021

The advantage of staying near a jungle patch is that you will get to see many wildlife including butterflies. While many butterflies would prefer the deeper and shady forest in this bone-dry month but occasionally they do come out too. Here are just some of them which were seen in the month of February.

Yamfly (Loxura atymnus  fuconius)

I believe the above is a male based on the undusted / clear tornus area.

Common Tree Nymph (Idea stolli logani)

Its local name is: "Bidadari Pohon Biasa"

One of the very few butterflies which allows you to take its flight photos.

Like a flying polka-dot tissue paper. The Common Tree Nymph has three spots on space 7 of its hindwing as indicated here. The "Malayan Tree-Nymph" (Idea lynceus logani) apparently only has two spots.

Such an elegant and gentle butterfly.

In butterflies, it was said that polymorphism occurs more frequently in females than in males. 

"Malay Count" (Tanaecia godartii asoka) - female

The male of the above species has different colors.

Its a rather uncommon butterfly.

Straight Banded Catseye (Coelites epiminthia epiminthia) - without flash

Straight Banded Catseye (Coelites epiminthia epiminthia) - with flash

Malayan Bush-Brown

I think there could be some ambiguity on its scientific name. Was it "Mycalesis fusca fusca" or "Mydosama fuscum fuscum"? - Answer: I guess it depends on which stream you are following.

Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ida)

Another common butterfly

Malayan Sunbeam (Curetis santana malayica)

Did they named it after Tele Santana?

Wish it had open its wings slightly wider. 

Chocolate Grass Yellow (Eurema sari sodalis)

Common Sailer (Neptis hylas papaja) 

Common Four-Ring (Ypthima huebneri)

Malayan Five-ring (Ypthima horsfieldi humei)  - its ocelli on space 4 & 5 are equal size.

One of the subtle differences to look for between a 'Malayan Five-ring' and a 'Malayan Six-ring' (Ypthima horsfieldii humei) is the alignment of their ocellis / rings whereby the rings of a 'Malayan Five-ring' are not aligned / straight, like those of the 'Malayan Six-ring'. 

Could the above butterflies resemble a 'Nacaduba' or perhaps a 'Prosotas' ?

 

A game changer for science or maybe the textile industries etc ?

The above photo might one day expunge the science theory that says adult butterflies don't secrete silk. Entomologist might want to expand their research on what was the 'thing' that this butterfly was secreting cause they are certainly not spider webs.

Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti)

Common Mormon (Papilo polytes romulus)

Lastly here are some insects which looks like a moth and butterfly but they are neither of them. They are actually plant hoppers. 

The above is a 'Pochazia transversa' (Ricaniid planthopper)

Flatid Planthopper - Ormenaria rufifascia (Walker) / lawana candida

According to literature, some planthoppers are considered a pest.

IN BETWEEN THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS, I THRIVE