Butterflying in March 2024 - Kaniska et al.

The months from March to June will be perfect for some butterflying works due to the transition of the monsoon season to a much drier weather.  I scored a few interesting species of butterflies in March through some long distance travelling and tons of patience. 

First up is this long overdue species which I have wanted to see for a very long time.

Blue Admiral

(Kaniska canace perakana)

Some say it looks like a burned / overcooked cheese.

Blue Admiral

(Kaniska canace perakana)

It was initially on the ground but flew about 50 meters away after I spooked it accidentally.

Blue Admiral

(Kaniska canace perakana)

Luckily it stopped and gave me this one in the 'life time' experience.

It stayed on the same branch for quite awhile until a 4WD drove by and off it went further into the jungle. Hope to see it again one day.

Next one is this 'uncommon' Athyma.

Staff Sergeant 

(Athyma selenophora amharina)

Staff Sergeant 

(Athyma selenophora amharina)

Apparently this species was seen more frequently in the Northern States especially in Penang. That means it could be a localised species.

It flew down from some trees above our heads to puddle on the road side. So once again I was quite lucky here.

Foraging at the same place as the Blue Admiral is this Black Forester (Lethe vindhya luaba). This is the least common among other 'Lethes".

White-bar Bush Brown 

(Mycalesis anaxias senoi)

This 'Bush Brown' is a highland species. You will hardly find them in the plains.

From one hill station, we went to another. This hill station is located in the same district in Pahang but much lower in altitude.

Common Gem 
(Poritia hewitsoni taleva)

This is probably the most common Poritia. You can however see them more often up on the hills.

Smaller-Wood Nymph

(Ideopsis guara perakana)

This is another common species in the hills.

Smaller-Wood Nymph

(Ideopsis guara perakana)

Most of the time you will see them flying gently around at mid level like some polka-dot angels but occasionally they do perched.

Bandless Bushbrown 

(Mycalesis maianeas maianeas)

This is another uncommon Bush Brown

Yet another Bush Brown!

White-bar Bush Brown 

(Mycalesis anaxioides sinoi)

White Dragon Tail (without its two long tails - kena snip off)

(Lamproptera curius curius)

Common Nawab 

(Polyura athamas / Charaxes athamas)

Plain Green Palmer / Agavar Skipper

(Pirdana distanti distanti)

Red Helen

(Papilio helenus helenus)

Always a delight to take their photos and easy too due to their plus size.

Another Papilio!

Great Mormon

(Papilio memnon agenor)

Many people are convinced that the above photo shows an A. nox erebus !

But when they see its side profile, it turns out to be a Common Batwing (Atrophaneura varuna)

White-banded Palmfly 

(Elymnias dara darina)

I often see this species up on the hills as compared to lowlands.

Lesser Harlequin

(Laxita thuisto)

The least common among all the harlequins. The most common one should be Taxila haquinus.

Finally got my lifer photo.

Dark Posy

(Drupadia theda thesmia)

Despite seeing them a couple of times but always can't get a clear shot until now.

Dark Posy

(Drupadia theda thesmia)

A bonus open wing shot.

Dark Hedge Blue

(Plautella cossaea sonchus)

They can be found from lowland areas to the hill stations.

Bright Sunbeam

(Curetis bulis stigmata)

"Curetis' can be difficult to identify. This has been identified by the 'floating kitten' for me.

Dwarf Crow

(Euploea tulliolus ledereri)

I can't find it in my list so this is another lifer photo for me.

Yellow Banded Awl

(Hasora schoenherr chuza)

They seem to be quite common in March and April.

Common Sergeant 

(Athyma perius perius)

A pristine looking sergeant !

Vindula dejone erotella

The Cruiser

Quite a fast flyer.

Autumn Leaf 

(Doleschallia bisaltide pratipa)

Horsfield Branded Yamfly 

(Yasoda pitta dohertyi)

This is a highland Yamfly.

Plain Puffin

(Appias indra plana)

Here comes a few identifiable Oakblues ! I start with a few which looks like an Oakblue.

Falcate Oakblue

(Mahathala ariadeva ariadeva)

Another lifer !

Acacia Blue 

(Surendra vivarna amisena)

Arhopala amphimuta amphimuta

(Broad Yellow Oakblue)?

Small Tailess Oakblue?

(Arhopala antimuta)

Major Yellow Oakblue

(Arhopala major major)

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW ! HOPE TO GET TO SEE MORE RARE ARHOPALAS AND OTHER NICE SPECIES NEXT MONTH.

Butterflies in February 2024

There were a quite a number of females seen in February which means that if they start laying eggs now, their new broth can emerge sometime in April. This February also I have managed to capture a few 'Jungle Glories' - citizens of the dark forest but first, here is a rarely seen Faun.

Dusky Faun

(Faunis kirata)

It was seen in Gopeng, Perak.

Here is a lifer.

Matapa deprivata

(Unfortunately there is no common name for this Matapa yet)

Most likely an uncommon species.

It is quite similar to a Fringed Redeye (Matapa cresta)

Dingy Sailor

(Neptis omeroda)

Pointed Palmfly

(Elymnias penanga penanga f. penanga)

A comparison of Red Harlequins

Malayan Red Harlequin                                        Red Harlequin           

                             (Paralaxita damajanti)                                       (Paralaxita telesia)

Here are a few Oakblues which I have managed to identify.

Long-celled Oakblue

(Arhopala aurea)

It has a very nice metallic green upperside.

 

Major Yellow Oakblue  (Arhopala major major)

      Female                  

Fullstop Swift

(Caltoris carmosa)

Banded Marquis

(Bassarona teuta)
Female

Red Demon

(Ancistroides armatus)

White Imperial

(Neomyrina nivea periculosa)

Female

White Imperial

(Neomyrina nivea periculosa)

(Male & Female)

Here comes the BIG ones

Palm King

(Amathusia phidippus phidippus)

Blue-banded Jungle Glory

(Thaumantis odana pishuna)

Male

Great Egg-fly

(Hypolimnas bolina bolina)

Female

Dark Jungle Glory

(Thaumantis noureddin)

Female

Dark Blue Jungle Glory

(Thaumantis klugius)
Male

THAT'S ALL FROM ME IN FEBRUARY!!

Butterflies in January 2024

It's the beginning of a new year and I had a great start. Finally I got my bogey butterfly and one or two  new lifers. Weather has been windy and getting hotter by the day. Here are a few shots I have for this month.

Eyed Cyclops

(Erites argentina delia)

Cyclops has been in my wish list for a very long time. Friends have been telling me that I can find them here and there but usually I would come home empty. This one was shot at a forest reserve area in Selangor. When I first saw it, I thought it was just a Ypthima or a Bushbrown due to its light brown colour. I had a second chance to look at it when it stop briefly at almost ground level. 

Here is my lifer. 

I believe it is an Acerbas anthea anthea.

White Palmer

(Acerbas anthea anthea)

It looks like a Flat but it's not. 

I can't get any better photos due to its skittish self but I was indeed lucky that it stopped for a moment for a few shots.

Malayan Zebra

(Graphium delessertii delessertii)

Malayan Zebra

(Graphium delessertii delessertii)

So happy that it allowed me to get very close.

It was seen puddling with several other species. Here is an Eurema andersonii (Anderson's Grass Yellow) in front of it.

Here is another possible lifer if its ID is correct.

Oblique-branded Dart

(Potanthus rectifasciatus)

Striped Green Palmer

(Pirdana hyela rudolphii)

I still haven't got a nice clear photo of this species. This one was shot from a distance.

Great Saturn

(Zeuxidia aurelius aurelius)

Despite its big size, it can still manage to play hide-and-seek with me in between those vines and leaves.

Scarce Saturn

(Zeuxidia doubledayi doubledayi)

As its name suggest, it is quite scarce due to its secretive habit. But due to its size you can still spot them when they fly around.

Great Swift

(Pelopidas assamensis)

Fulvous Pied Flat 

(Pseudocoladenia dan dhyana)

Female

Dark Hedge Blue

(Plautella cossaea pambui)

I think this could be a Norman's Oakblue

(Arhopala normani)

Sullied Sailor

(Neptis soma pendleburyi)

Moore's Wight

(Iton semamora semamora)

Moore's Wight

(Iton semamora semamora)

I think this species is not very rare but you can only see them once awhile.

Moore's Wight

Here it is - sampling the flowers of  Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata)

White-tipped Palmer 

(Lotongus calathus calathus)

This is the only my 2nd time seeing this species.

Dark Evening Brown

(Melantis phedima abdullae)

White Cerulean

(Jamides pura pura)

This looks like a male Malayan Viscount (Tanaecia pelea pelea)

 
                                          Common Gem                                            

         Poritia hewitsoni taleva (Corbet)          

Autumn Leaf

(Doleschallia bisaltide continentalis)

Autumn Leaf

(Doleschallia bisaltide continentalis)

Laying eggs on a Chinese Violet plant.

Finally, according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, this year would be the dragon year.

Is this a coincidence that we saw one caterpillar which has head like a dragon?

This is a caterpillar of a Polyura and hope it will bring us lots of luck this year.

LOOKING FOWARD  TO MORE BUTTERFLY ADVENTURES IN YEAR 2024 !