Butterflies in Oct 2023

The month of Oct 2023 saw the early arrival of the monsoon season over here (esp towards to the end of Oct). It rained heavily in most evenings. So naturally butterfly trips are curtailed and lifers are limited. Nevertheless I still managed to see one or two lifers this month. 

It sounds like a bird.

Yellow Puffin

(Appias cardenia perakana)

The Witch

(Araotes lapithis uruwela)

I have tried many times (many years in fact) for this species and finally able to see it at about 4.20pm. Thanks to my fellow butterfly spotting friends. Lifer of course.

 Rich Sailer

(Neptis anjana hyria)

According to CP book, this species is confined to the montane regions but I saw it at a 'kaki bukit' (foothill). This is an uncommon species nevertheless. My 2nd and last lifer in the month of Oct 2023.

Chinese Banana Skipper

(Erionota torus)

Identified from its more rounded apex and hindwing shape as described in CP.

Coconut Skipper 

(Hidari irava)

Coconut Skipper 

(Hidari irava)

I decided to use some flash, hence you get to see some of its inner features.

Streaked Baron

(Euthalia alpheda yamuna)

Streaked Baron

(Euthalia alpheda yamuna)

It has an unique flight lift-off which makes it a strong flyer.

Malay Baron

(Euthalia monina monina decorata)

Velvet Flat 

(Celaenorrhinus ficulnea queda)

Now you know why they call it velvet.

Large Snow Flat 

(Tagiades gana gana)

Arhopala topaea

It has no common name as yet. Quite rare it seems.

Club Silverline 

(Spindasis syama senama)

Harlequin / Orange Harlequin

(Taxila haquinus haquinus)

The most common Harlequin among the other Harlequins in this region.

The Commander 

(Moduza procris milona)

This is an uncommon species. This one is a male.

Felder's Hedge Blue

(Lycaenopsis haraldus haraldus)

Dark Jungle Glory

(Thaumantis noureddin noureddin)

Female

Dark Jungle Glory

(Thaumantis noureddin noureddin)

Male

Singapore's Botanical Garden

Plain Plushblue @ SG Botanical Garden

(Flos apidanus)

Lesser Cruiser

(Vindula dejone erotella)

This one is a female

Chocolate Pansy

(Junonia hedonia ida)

A comparison of Nawabs.

                    (Polyura athamas athamas)                 vs               (Polyura moori moori)                           

                             Common Nawab                                              Malayan Nawab                                

Narrow Stripped Faun

(Faunis gracilis)

Not rare but only once awhile you get to see this one.

Yellow Orange Tip

(Ixias pyrene)

Saturn

(Zeuxidia amethystus amethystus)

A citizen of the forest.

Yamfly

(Loxura atymnus fuconius)

THE END OF THE STORY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023

Butterflies in Sept 2023 - Some uncommon ones and lifers

Month of September 2023 came and went very fast. With a few trips to some butterflies heavens in Perak and Pahang, I have managed to score a few more uncommon ones and lifers.

Redtail Marquis 

(Bassarona recta monilis de Niceville)

This is an uncommon species.

Distant's Imperial 

(Manto hypoleuca terana)

This is another uncommon one and my lifer.

Great Marquis

(Bassarona dunya dunya)

Looks like this is a female. 

The Baron 

(Euthalia aconthea garuda)

The Baron 

(Euthalia aconthea garuda)

The Baron 

(Euthalia aconthea garuda)

The Baron 

(Euthalia aconthea garuda)

The first two photos were taken in Perak while the later in Selangor.

Single Line Redflash

(Rapala rhodopsis)

Apparently this Rapala is reportedly quite rare !

Short-banded Viscount

(Tanaecia aruna aruna)

Male 

Short-banded Viscount

(Tanaecia aruna aruna)

Female I think. 

Great Swift 

(Pelopidas assamensis)

Great Swift 

(Pelopidas assamensis)

This one was shot with a flash light.

Baby Swift 

(Polytremis minuta)

Ge geta

(Circular Tufted Demon)

Pale-marked Ace

(Halpe hauxwelli)

Common Awl 

(Hasora badra)

Coconut Skipper 

(Hidari irava)

According to literature, they would usually lay their eggs in those twisted dry leaves.

This batwing is one of the most sort after species after the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing.

White-headed Batwing

(Atrophaneura sycorax egertoni)

White-headed Batwing

(Atrophaneura sycorax egertoni)

It was first seen in August 2023.

White-headed Batwing

(Atrophaneura sycorax egertoni)

It flew down from the tree top and landed right in front of me. Some people are just lucky lah!

Cirrochroa malaya malaya 

At the moment this species has no common name yet which makes it more intriguing.

Cirrochroa malaya malaya 

I think this is also the same species but just less pristine. C. surya siamensis forewing would be more rounder and its overall size is also slightly smaller.

Small Leopard 

(Phalanta alcippe alcesta)

Small Leopard 

(Phalanta alcippe alcesta)

This is the only kind of 'Leopard' which doesn't growl.

Horsfield's Baron

(Tanaecia iapis puseda)

Female

Peacock Oakblue

(Arhopala horsfieldi eurysthenes)

Peacock Oakblue

(Arhopala horsfieldi eurysthenes)

Even a half opened wing is good enough for ID.

Peacock Oakblue

(Arhopala horsfieldi eurysthenes)

A 90% opened wings are even better.

This is a larger Oakblue and the most common one I think.

Centaur Oakblue

(Arhopala centaurus nakula)

This could be a Niceville's Dull Oakblue 

(Arhopala avatha)

Niceville's Dull Oakblue 

(Arhopala avatha)

Niceville's Dull Oakblue 

(Arhopala avatha)

Broad Yellow Oakblue

(Arhopala amphimuta milleriana)

Until today this Oakblue remains a mystery.

Even with a flash-on, it was still difficult to ID.

The one below should be easier.

A tattered looking Common Gem

(Perotia hewitsoni taleva)

Common Gem

(Perotia hewitsoni taleva)

Common Gem

(Perotia hewitsoni taleva)

Black Prince

(Rohana parisatis siamensis)

Male

The only place which you can safely see this species is in Gopeng, Perak.

Black Prince

(Rohana parisatis siamensis)

Female

Dark-tipped Archduke 

(Lexias dirtea merguia)

Common Batwing   

(Arthophaneura varuna varuna)

                              

                                              

I think this is a couple. They were seen nearby together.

Wavy Maplet

(Chersonesia intermedia intermedia)

 Extended Brownwing

(Miletus gallus gallus)
                                                      

                                      

Extended Brownwing

                   (Miletus gallus gallus)                    

 

                                                        

Great Brownwing

(Miletus symethus petronius)

                    

   

Great Brownwing

(Miletus symethus petronius)

Aberrant Oakblue

(Flos abseus abseus / Arhopala abseus abseus)

Purple Streaked Catseye

(Coelites euptychioides humilis)

Malay Staff Sergeant

(Athyma reta moorei)

This Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete metarete) was seen at a mangrove area in Penang mainland.

Autumn Leaf

(Doleschallia bisaltide pratipa)

White Imperial

(Neomyrina nivea periculosa)

White Imperial

(Neomyrina nivea periculosa)

White Imperial

(Neomyrina nivea periculosa)

Female

I will end this September 2023 collections with this lifer.

Lesser Harlequin

(Laxita thuisto thuisto)

Lesser Harlequin

(Laxita thuisto thuisto)

With this sighting, I have finally seen all the Laxitas shown in Dr Kirton's Field Guide.

Here is a comparison between a Lesser Harlequin and a Harlequin / Orange Harlequin.

                             

              

A SATISFYING SEPTEMBER 2023 COLLECTION INDEED !

HAPPY BUTTERFLYING TO ALL !