Scoring some brownie points with Brownwings

Sometime in mid-March, I decided to explore a new trail hoping to see some lifers or rare butterflies. Initially there were just some common ones appearing like Archduke, Skippers, Grass Yellows and a couple of Prosotas and Pierrots. Then as I walk further about 50 meters from the trail head, I stumble upon a colony of Brownwings. I hardly seen a Brownwing and suddenly there were a few of them flying around and the good news is that they were 'nesting' there as well.

Brownwings in my opinion are nothing spectacular in terms of colors but they got a unique character as they will oviposit their eggs into a colony of ants and their larvae / "cats" are said to be carnivorous. In the next few slides you will be able to see the natural symbiosis between two biological insects in action. According to literature, most Miletus in the exception of Biggs' Brownwing (Miletus biggsii) are either just fairly common or rare. So let us get to know some of the Brownwings seen at this 'sacred' site.

Initially I thought it could be a Round-band Brownwing (Miletus gopara gopara) but I think it was just a Biggs' Brownwing (Miletus biggsii).

Biggs' Brownwing (Miletus biggsii)

Here it is again as it flew to a more shady place.

The next Miletus could be rare / very rare.

Miletus gallus gallus (Extended Brownwing) ?

Miletus gallus gallus (Extended Brownwing)

This is probably a male as it hardly fly around. It just stood there like a statue.

Miletus gallus gallus (Extended Brownwing)

Miletus gigantes (Giant Brownwing)

Looks like its underside markings are less profound as the M. gallus gallus.

Miletus gigantes (Giant Brownwing)

Miletus gigantes (Giant Brownwing)

At that time, only the Great Brownwing (Miletus symethus petronius) was active in oviposting.

Great Brownwing (Miletus symethus petronius)

As it flew casually around, I followed it while trying to take its upperside photos which is crucial to ID Miletus species.

Great Brownwing (Miletus symethus petronius)

 

Great Brownwing (Miletus symethus petronius)

Apparently this is the second most commonest Miletus after the Biggs' Brownwing.

Great Brownwing (Miletus symethus petronius)

Once it spotted a group of ants which I was informed that it is from the Dolichoderus sp, it lands to inspect. I think you will often encounter these ants inside the forest and they do bite although not really painful.

It will then used its antenna to 'communicate' or check the site.

It would then move around to check the site further - probably discussing some arrangements with the ants or giving them some of its juicy excrements. 

Its presence attracted more ants.

Finally it decided to 'deposit' only one egg at that site. You can see here that one of the ants was trying to bite its legs.

It then flew away to check another location. This place doesn't look good.

Then it deposited another egg at another site. 

Based on this brief observation, it appears that the Brownwings are quite active in the month of March and April. After witnessing all these episodes, I decided to check the trail again towards end of April but the Brownwings were all gone except one which was seen at a distance. Not sure whether their non-presence were due to the continuous overnight rain or whether they have moved on. The only way to find out is to survey the place again in May. 

THAT'S ALL FROM ME THIS TIME!

MUCHO GRACIAS !!

Butterflies in March 2023 - some comparisons and super rare ones.

March 2023 has been another exciting month for me. There were a few very rare butterflies and uncommon ones seen. Here are some of them.

Yellow Flat (Moorena trichoneura trichoneura)

It just allowed me three shots before it flew away into the deeper jungle.

This is a Malayan Castor (Ariadne isaeus isaeus)

Identified from the non appearance of a FW white spot.

This is a female Blue Brilliant (Simiskina phalia potina)

Blue Brilliant (Simiskina phalia potina)

Dark-based Line Blue (Prosotas gracilis ni)

This is a very tiny species which likes to lepak on the ground instead of high above the tree top.

Dark-based Line Blue (Prosotas gracilis ni)

And it's quite skittish too.

Dot Dash Sergeant (Athyma kanwa kanwa)

Short Banded Sailor (Phaedyma columella singa)

Here are a few comparisons of some close looking butterflies.

Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana) - male

Dark Archduke (Lexias dirtea merguia)

Pointed Ciliate Blue (Anthene lycaenina miya)

Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus) - female

Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus) - female

Ideopsis similis persimilis

Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger

Ideopsis vulgaris macrina (Blue Glassy Tiger)

                             Blue Glassy Tiger                                            Dark Glassy Tiger                                                                   

Malayan Lascar (Lasippa tiga siaka)

 

Burmese Lascar (Lasippa heliodore dorelia)

It is smaller than 'Tiga Siaka'

Looks like it is a pale looking Burmese Lascar

The following skipper is a forest dwelling flat.

Dark Yellow-banded flat (Celaenorrhinus aurivittatus cameroni)

                   

        

    Most likely a Malayan Sunbeam (Curetis santana) as it is the most common curetis around here.

Another comparison. This time is a Straight Pierrot (Caleta roxus pothus)

 

Female                                                                Male       

 
                                              

Common Line Blue (Prosotas nora superdates)

                                    Male                                                                        Female                                            

                                           

                                                          

 Fivebar Swordtail (Graphium antiphates itamputi)

The blue lines indicate stripes not bars

Upperside view

Fivebar Swordtail

It would constantly 'flap' its forewings while puddling.

Here it is again with a group of Appias lyncida vasava and a Prosotas nora superdates.

Banana Skipper

(Erionota thrax / Erionota torus) 

 Entomologist are still debating which is which. So I will leave them as it is.

Saletara panda distanti sulphurea

Malaysian Albatross 

(sounds like a sea bird but it's not)

Malaysian Albatross 

The following species of butterflies are quite unique and some are reportedly very rare. They are the Brownwings !

The above is an Extended Brownwing (Miletus gallus gallus) 

It will be impossible to identify which Ssp it belongs to without seeing it uppersides.

This is a Miletus gigantes (Giant Brownwing)

Status: rare / very rare

Giant Brownwing (Miletus gigantes)

Despite its slow flight pattern it was still difficult to snap their photos in flight.

Great Brownwing (Miletus symetus petronius)

Status: moderately common / very rare ?

Great Brownwing (Miletus symetus petronius)

That's the end of March 2023 butterflies ! 

More exciting butterflies are coming your way in April 2023 ! 

Stay Connected !