Butterflies in Fraser's Hill - November 2024

Weather has been raining and cold in November 2024. I believe it will be the same in December. Nevertheless, in one of those rare sunny moments, I managed to find some time up in Malaysia's fame tourist spot - Fraser's Hill.  Over there I have got four new lifers this time. 

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

It is actually quite a small fella (just about 1.5cm)

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

Apparently it is a male that we saw.

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

I have discovered that the same species can also be found as far as Hong Kong, China. 

Purple Sapphire 

Heliophorus epicles tweediei 

It prefers to stay at ground level most of the time.

The next lifer is a much bigger one.

Malayan Crow

(Euthalia camaralzeman malayica)

Malayan Crow

(Euthalia camaralzeman malayica / Euploea )

As compared to the Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber) which appeared in numbers, this 'Crow' was alone.

Striped Blue Crow

(Euploea mulciber mulciber)

                                                                        

Striped Blue Crow

(Euploea mulciber mulciber)

They appear to have very high forewings.

And the third lifer is surprisingly a Silverline.

Large Long-banded Silverline

(Spindasis seliga seliga)

 

This one is a surprise lifer.

Catius Rona Hedge Blue

Udara rona catius (Fruhstorfer)

Catius Rona Hedge Blue

Udara rona catius (Fruhstorfer)

Apparently this 'Udara' is more common in the highlands than lowlands.

We only saw two Awls this time. Maybe it's due to the weather I guess.

                                                            

                            White-banded Awl                                               Plain Banded Awl                                                       (Hasora taminatus malayana)                                     (Hasora vita vita)   

                            

       Both these Awls can also be found in the lowlands.

  Yellow Spot Swift

(Zenonoida eltola corbeti)

This is only my second time seeing this skipper. The first time was also in FH.

Lesser Gull

(Cepora nadina andersoni)

                                                                                                                         

            Lesser Gull                  

       (Cepora nadina andersoni)              

Spotted Sawtooth

(Prioneris thestylis malaccana)

This one you only get to see it in the highlands or hill stations.

                                                                          
                     It's certainly more 'meriah' (lively) to puddle in a group.              

                          

This is a Tailed Judy (Abisara neophron chelina)

This Abisara likes to be in the hilly areas.

Tailed Judy 

(Abisara neophron chelina)

Couldn't get a clear shot every time.

Dark Cerulean

(Jamides bochus nabonassar)

Another highlands species.

                                                                   
                                          Horsfield's Branded Yamfly                                             

            (Yasoda pita dohertyi)                  

This is one of my favorite butterflies.

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

It can also be found in lowlands like in Gopeng.

Orchid Tit

(Chliara othona semanga)

Looks like I have got a male there.

This one has several common names.

Brown-banded Ringlet / Striped Ringlet / Malayan Ringlet

(Ragadia makuta siponta)

This flowers belongs to a 'herbal' plant called 'Chinese Rain Bell' (Strobilanthes hamiltoniana) which happens to attract a skipper - most likely a Banded Demon (Notocrypta paralysos)  I think. 

This place is definitely a heaven for nature lovers. 

Until we meet again - SAYONARA !! 

            

                                                  

                                                                   

Butterflies in October 2024

The month of October saw the returned of those species which I have only encountered once before. Both of them appeared after a year's gap.

Red Edge

(Semanga superba deliciosa)

It was seen at the same location but several meters away from its initial location. This time it perched quite high up among the ferns (paku pakis). I believe this is an uncommon species or perhaps a moderately rare one.

Maculate Lancer 

(Salanoemia sala)

Here is another one which appeared after a year's gap. This one was seen at a different location. It was seen inside a small trail beside the main trail.

Maculate Lancer 

(Salanoemia sala)

Its underside colour is supposed to be greenish but even without using flash, I could see that it is already quite pale in colour. Literatures have described this species as been rare in this region.

Plain Blue Crow

(Euploea modesta modesta)

Some 'crows' can also be a bit tricky to identify. This 'crow' is reported to be rarer by CP.

Spotted Black Crow

(Euploea crameri bremeri)

Looks like October is the month of emerging 'crows'. This one is more common.

Narrow Spark

(Sinthusa nasaka amba)

It tried to hide itself using the same leaf colour.

Courtesan 

(Euripus nyctelius euploeoides)

This is a male and this species it not really common as well.

  Malayan Gem

                              (Poritia philota philota)                         

One of the rare opportunities to be able to see the upperside of this Gem.

Malayan Baron

(Euthalia monina monina f. decorata)

This Baron species has been quite active in appearance since late August. 

Tiger Palmfly

Elymnias nesaea lioneli 

It flew down to the roadside and it is quite common at this trail located near the city of KL.

There are a few variants of Catopsilia and this is just one of them.

Lemon Emigrant

(Catopsilia pomona pomona f. catilla)

White Club Yellow Palmer

(Zela excellens)

You can clearly see its white patch near its club.

Common Red Flash

(Rapala iarbus iarbus)

Little Maplet

(Chersonesia peraka peraka)

They don't call this little one for nothing. It's actually very small.

Common Palmfly

(Elymnias hypermnestra discrepans)

I saw its forewing stripe which most likely point to this species.

Colour Sergeant 

(Athyma nefte subrata)

Male

                                                             

                                                                

                                                                            

Abberant Plush Blue

(Arhopala abseus abseus)

Lesser Cruiser 

(Vindula dejone erotella)

                                   

Lesser Cruiser 

(Vindula dejone erotella)

Underside view

Dacalana.

Long-celled Oakblue

(Arhopala aurea)

                                                                              
                                    Yellow-disc Tailess Oakblue                                

                        (Arhopala perimuta regina)                      

Bright Oakblue

(Arhopala sublustris ridleyi)

Bright Oakblue

(Arhopala sublustris ridleyi)

          

Blue Posy

(Drupadia scaeva scaeva)

Common Brownie 

(Miletus chinensis learchus)

Female 

It is larger as compared to other Miletus and its upperside is dark coloured.

Lifer if ID is correct.

Common Hedge Blue

(Acytolepis puspa lambi)

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS MONTH. HOPE TO SEE MORE NEW SPECIES IN NOVEMBER !