First candidate for #100

[Common Rose]

This skipper was shot opp SICC. The first one is a record shot. The second and third are shot with 3T. All three are cropped by the same amount to demonstrate the power of 3T. ;P

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/macrossx/5001-5500/5057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/macrossx/5001-5500/5059.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/macrossx/5001-5500/5061.jpg

This skipper looks suspiciously similar to Taractrocera archias quinta (C&P4, Pl 59, 3, 4. Description on pg 379).

[Commander]

I'd tend to agree with your ID. Not many Skippers have those characteristics that you've shot, and the closeups seem to tally with the markings of this species.

Was this the only one that you observed? They usually occur in a colony, for this genus.

[Common Rose]

I'd tend to agree with your ID. Not many Skippers have those characteristics that you've shot, and the closeups seem to tally with the markings of this species.

Was this the only one that you observed? They usually occur in a colony, for this genus.
I focus on this one only and did not pay attention to the surrounding, as I thot it was a lesser dart. :-( I only realise that it was different when I reviewed it. Borrowed C&P4 from TPCL and matched the id on the bus!

If the id is confirmed, this will be a new species? Did not see the name on the Sg checklist, which is y I make it my #100. ;-)

[Commander]

I focus on this one only and did not pay attention to the surrounding, as I thot it was a lesser dart. :-( I only realise that it was different when I reveal it. Borrowed C&P4 from TPCL and match the id on the bus!

If the id is confirmed, this will be a new species? Did not see the name on the Sg checklist, which is y I make it my #100. ;-)

I can quite confidently confirm the ID of the Genus. For the Taractrocera genus, there is no apiculus in the antenna (hook). All the Potanthus spp have them. So I'd say that this is from the genus Taractrocera. However, what's surprising is that C&P4 doesn't even record it to exist in Singapore!

And the rest of this genus doesn't have a species that look like Potanthus, so I would record this as species #259 for Singapore. Congrats! What a way to celebrate your 100th species! :cheers:

[The Monarch]

Wah Neo, nice work man, and congrats.

I would have dismissed it as a Lesser Dart immediately and won't have bothered to shoot it.

[Commander]

Wah Neo, nice work man, and congrats.

I would have dismissed it as a Lesser Dart immediately and won't have bothered to shoot it.

We'll nominate Neo as the specialist for this group of Skippers. There are actually four species of the "Lesser Dart" genus that was recorded to occur in Singapore, and basically, I haven't had the time to go study them in detail so far. Then there are lookalike genuses that make it even more complicated.

Perhaps if we look hard enough like Neo does, there may be more species that were missed by the early collectors which helped C&P4 record the species. We've already ID'ed something like about 20 "unrecorded" species in Singapore. There should be more if we look hard enough.

[Common Rose]

3T combined with 380mm is sure a very good way to shoot close-up shots, especially of the skippers. ;P

[Elbowed Pierrot]

3T combined with 380mm is sure a very good way to shoot close-up shots, especially of the skippers. ;P

have you considered getting an external flash to enhance the subject more?

[airforce1]

Congratulatios of your new discoveries and century mark rewards. I believe if we pay attentions to details there will be new discoveries.

[Cycad Blue]

have you considered getting an external flash to enhance the subject more?

I think he has already gotten one...seem to rem reading it somewhere that he took some photos with ext flash?

CONGRATS NEO! Wayyy to go! :thumbsup:

[Peacock Royal]

Great great discovery. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
A lesson leant here - be more observant.
With the kind of butts shooting activites going on now, won't be surprised that there may be more new species discovered in the near future.

[Common Rose]

Thanks gng. I am nicknaming this species as "Neo Dart" for easier reference. :bsmile:

[Peacock Royal]

I am nicknaming this species as "Neo Dart" for easier reference.

Any shot or description on the underside of this "Neo Dart" so that we can identify it in the field.

[Common Rose]

To those who log in as Guest,

Well, that's the concluding epsiode of "The Quest for the First 100 Species". I won't be posting my new species here anymore, only those unid ones. To see more beautiful butterflies, especially those very well taken by others, please register as a member. Not only can you see more species of butterflies, you can also join us in our outings, which happen every week. Don't have to worry if you are new to photography or don't have sophisticated equipments. I was new to photography a year ago; got my current Olympus C-750 (prosumer digicam) on 1st Dec '03; and got infected with "butt flu" in March. ;P In fact, many members here are also new to butterflies photography (butterflies first, photography second). ;-)

Join us now, and explore the remaining precious nature that we still have. :hello:


Yours sincerely,
Common Rose

[Common Rose]

Any shot or description on the underside of this "Neo Dart" so that we can identify it in the field.
This is what is written in C&P4 for Taractrocera:

The underside is yellow or ochreous dusted, except the dorsal half of the forewing, with the markings as above but more distinct.
You can see the underside of the forewing in the shots. I think they usually rest in this style, like the Lesser Dart.

[Birdwing]

Congrats Neo! :cheers: Well done!! Your perseverance and diligence has paid off well, glad that you managed to achieve your objective of 100 species so soon, and also on the discovery of a new species. We could all learn from your example, as one nature photographer had said, its passion and love for the subject and for nature in general that drives us to make such wonderful discoveries.

Cheers once more and well done! :thumbsup:

p.s. lets have a big feast next time we meet up to celebrate ur achievement! ;-)

[Elbowed Pierrot]

p.s. lets have a big feast next time we meet up to celebrate ur achievement! ;-)

hahahaaaa...

[Common Rose]

p.s. lets have a big feast next time we meet up to celebrate ur achievement! ;-)
On! (I'm not free on Sundays) :cheers:

[airforce1]

Hey Neo,

Saw the Neo Dart at the same place. Took a record shots also. Thanks for the discoveries.

[Cycad Blue]

really going to call it Neo Dart ah? hahahaha so cute!!

[Common Rose]

really going to call it Neo Dart ah? hahahaha so cute!!
That new skipper u got at AH, any nickname to call? ;P

[Common Rose]

For those who are interested, here is a definition of Neo (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Neo-).

[Common Rose]

Hey Neo,

Saw the Neo Dart at the same place. Took a record shots also. Thanks for the discoveries.
Shot yesterday too? :cheers:

[Cycad Blue]

For those who are interested, here is a definition of Neo (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Neo-).

hehe yup yup know the definition of Neo - I also associate it with The Matrix! ;-)

That skipper at AH was first discovered by Master elsewhere...so maybe we call it the Q(Khew) Skipper? :thinking:

[Elbowed Pierrot]

kekekeee... you guys got such innovative names ;P

[Commander]

hehe yup yup know the definition of Neo - I also associate it with The Matrix! ;-)

That skipper at AH was first discovered by Master elsewhere...so maybe we call it the Q(Khew) Skipper? :thinking:

Heh heh... cannot anyhow huntum lah... I'll still go by its scientific name. ;P

It will be nice though, if one day, one of us finds a species that's new to science. Then it'll be named after you. If you look at all the Latin names, you will see that is the case for some of the recently discovered species (or subspecies).

[Commander]

Hey Neo,

Saw the Neo Dart at the same place. Took a record shots also. Thanks for the discoveries.

Erm... sure or not? If you look at the Plate in C&P4 featuring all the Lesser Dart species, you will get totally :stupid: In some cases, even in a set collection already got problem ID'ing the species, what more a record shot out in the field!

One tip for this species though. Take your record shot, and zoom in on the butts antenna. Then post here.

[Common Rose]

Heh heh... cannot anyhow huntum lah... I'll still go by its scientific name. ;P
Hahaa... it's just a nickname, not even suggesting a common name.

Out in the field, "Hey look, Q Skipper!" will be a better 'alarm' than "Hey look, that new skipper discovered by Khew!" or "Hey look, Zographetus doxus!" Will be thinking, :hmmm: erhh, what's that; not to mention I don't even know how to pronounce that scientific name! :sweat:

[Sky Blue]

"Hey look, Q Skipper!"
:bsmile: :bsmile: :bsmile:

congrats Neo on yr new hit.

[Yong San]

Congratulation :cheers:
I like the 'Neo Dart' :-)