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

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 stinga)

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 (Pothantus omaha omaha)

Bright Red Velvet Bob (Koruthaialos sindu sindu)

AHOY ! SKIPPERS !

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.