Butterflies in April 2024 - Burara, Hasora et al

Looks like the month of April 2024 is filled with Hasora and Burara species. These species mainly appear at dawn or dusk where there are less light. Hence you can see that their eyes are slightly larger than other day-time species like Arhopalas. 

Violet Awl

(Hasora leucospila leucospila)

Lifer !!

Violet Awl

(Hasora leucospila leucospila)

They are quite a fast flyer.

Since they like to hang around at dimly lit places, you will need to use an external flashlight to get clearer photos of them.

Violet Awl

(Hasora leucospila leucospila)

Looks like the one I saw above is a male.

Orange Branded Awl

(Burara oedipodea oedipodea)

This Burara is uncommon and it's the first I am seeing it. It can be differentiated by other similar looking orange colored Awls by its bluish thorax.

Plain Banded Awl 

(Hasora vita vita)

The above three Awls were all missing when others visited the same location subsequently. It shows that there is a possibility that they might just be frightened away if their habitat has been disturbed. 

Except for this Awl.

Yellow Banded Awl

(Hasora schoenherr chuza)

This Awl was seen a few times and on a few different locations as well. It is the most common Awl you would come across over here. But photographing it can be a challenged unless it stops flying around.

Lets move to other interesting species.

Angled Cyclops

(Erites angularis)

You won't get to see Cyclops on the plains or forest edges. Usually they are found inside the forest.

Angled Cyclops

(Erites angularis angularis)

I have noticed that Cyclops like to fly close to the ground as well.

Although they can be skittish but they are not really some fast flyers.

Hanging nearby is another Cyclops and it's reported to be rare some more.

Cyclops Bushbrown

(Mycalesis mnasicles perna / Culapa mnasicles perna)

Initially I had just passed it off as a Faunis until another butterfly group expert corrected its ID. This has to be another lifer !!

Malay Forest Bob

(Scobura phidita)

Like its name suggest, most of the time I've only seen them inside the forest.

Bamboo Tree Brown

(Lethe europa malaya)

It was seen on the top of a bamboo like its name suggest. Have not seen this species for a long time.

Common Red Forester

(Lethe mekara gopaka)

This is not a common species as it name may suggests.

Another forest citizen.

Common Red Forester

(Lethe mekara gopaka)

Once it comes down to puddle you can get quite close to it.

Pygmy Posy / Lesser Posy

(Drupadia rufotaenia rufotaenia)

A pristine looking as well as an uncommon Posy.

White-tipped Palmer

(Lotongus calathus calathus)

When they are in season, they can be seen in a few places. So they might not be rare after all.

Here, it got spooked by the flash light which shows its hyline spots.

Royal Assyrian 

(Terinos terpander robertsia)

A popular species among the photographers due to its colorful wings. I got a few hundred 'likes' for the above photo alone but unfortunately it didn't reach a thousand like some photos out there.

Silver Forget-me-not

(Catochrysops panormus exigus)

Its scientific name sounds just as interesting as its common name. However, you don't see this species so often like a Jamides or a Nacaduba.

At times you don't have to travel far to see your lifer. They can visit you instead like this Jamides.

Royal Cerulean

(Jamides caeruleus)

Not many people like to photograph an Allotinus - probably for the following two reasons - i) they can be difficult to identify and ii) their outlook are generally plain.

Small Malayan Darkwing

(Allotinus strigatus malayanus)

Rounded Darkwing

(Allotinus corbeti)

                                                          

                                                      

Common Faun 

(Faunis canens arcecilas)

Here comes the 'giants' !

Koh-i-noor

(Amathusidia amythaon dilucida)

At first it was just at the side of the trail and I didn't notice it until it flew deeper into the bush. I had to climb a steep slope just to take this photo.

Palm King

There are a few Ssp of Palm Kings here and I think the above could be an Amathusia friderici holmanhunti.

This is probably the largest of them all.

Great Saturn / Giant Saturn

(Zeuxidia aurelius aurelius)

The above is a male and its field marks are all highlighted in the photo.

Here comes the species I liked most - Arhopalas

  

                                                               Long-celled Oakblue

                                                                  (Arhopala aurea)                             

Another lifer !

Arhopala caeca

(No common name for this one yet)

Large Metallic Oakblue

(Arhopala aedias agnis)

Large Metallic Oakblue

Showing its upperside

Large Metallic Oakblue

This is the same individual as above. Like most experienced butterfly spotters / entomologist would advise you, the tail alone is not necessarily a good indicator of an Arhopala. Here you can see that its tornal tails are 'missing'. So if you go for just the tail, you might just misidentify this oakblue.

I believe this is a Moore's Oakblue (Arhopala moorei busa). 

I think ID is at 95% correct.

Here is another one.

Small Tailess Oakblue

(Arhopala antimuta)

ID is also probably 95% correct.

Elasticity

It doesn't bend it like Beckham but it almost managed it.

WHAT A MONTH AND CAN'T WAIT FOR MAY 2024 !!

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.