Butterfly photos from Fraser's Hill, July 2011

[moloch]

My wife and I have just returned to KL after spending a week at Fraser's Hill. FH is always lovely and we had a great time. We walked the Telecom Loop once in the morning and once in the evening for exercise. My wife would then return to the bungalow and read while I chased butterflies. I mostly worked the waterfall area below FH. I also ventured down to the falls and a creek about 4 and 8 km, respectively, from the Gap along the road towards Raub. These areas were productive and I saw butterflies here that I did not record on the hill.

I used shrimp paste as bait. I could not find the preferred brand but what I had worked okay and attracted a number of butterflies. I also purchased some over-ripe bananas and kept these in the boot of the car for several days. Once they had "melted", I put them out in a forested area along a creek and within a half hour, four species of butterflies arrived to sip the tasty juices. I have to thank BC members out at Maliau who told me of these techniques.

The days at FH were fairly cloudy and there was always moisture in the air. We did not really have any bright blue sky days this year so it was difficult to take habitat shots. I will add a few shots, though, since some members like William will be unfamiliar with this fine place.

Forest along the Telecom Loop:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat8.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat7.jpg

Lantana thickets were sometimes productive:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat6.jpg

This was a very good area along the trail to Jeriau Falls. I saw many species of butterflies when I put out the shrimp paste bait.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat3z.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat5.jpg

Misty conditions along road to the Gap:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat12.jpg

[moloch]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat14.jpg http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/habitat11.jpg

I will begin the butterfly shots with the Pierids. Some of these are such beautiful insects.

Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete)
… a pristine individual
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/DeliaskyparetePaintedJezebel.jpg

This butterfly had less red than the one above.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/DeliaskyparetePaintedJezebel2.jpg

Red-base Jezebel (Delias descombes): I was only able to take a few record shots of this beautiful butterfly. It would not allow me to move to a better position for photos.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Deliasdescombesi1.jpg

Malayan Jezebel (Delias ninus): A common species along the Telecom Loop but I never saw one land near the ground. They seemed to remain in the canopy all the time.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Deliasninus1.jpg

Mixed group of puddling pierids:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/pierids1.jpg

Such a beauty! Sawtooth (Prioneris thestylis)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Prioneristhestylis1.jpg

[moloch]

Red-spot Sawtooth (Prioneris philonome): One at the falls and one near the Pekan Bungalow where we stayed.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Prionerisphilonome2RedspotSawtooth3.jpg

Red-spot Sawtooth with a Chocolate Albatross
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Prionerisphilonome2RedspotSawtooth.jpg


Appias cardena: Only saw one of these on one day at the falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiascardena1.jpg


Appias indra? I saw a few of these at Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiasindra.jpg


Appias indra? It had a similar pattern to the buttefly above but it was tiny.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiasindra2.jpg


Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida): The most common albatross at FH.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiaslyncidachocolatealbatross1b.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiaslyncidachocolatealbatross2.jpg


Orange Albatross (Appias nero): a few seen each day.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Appiasnero1.jpg

[orionmystery]

Great set David. Really makes me want to go back to FH again! Haven't been there for ages!

[Great Mormon]

Great set David. Very sharp shots of the puddling butterflies! :thumbsup:

[WillFolsom]

Looks like you are getting darned good with that Tamron. Those are some really nice images you took! William

[Painted Jezebel]

Great shots, David. They certainly make me want to visit some time, as I have never been there.

[Bluebottle]

Beautiful shots, David. :cheers:
Seems like you are well trained in Maliau :)

[moloch]

Great set David. Really makes me want to go back to FH again! Haven't been there for ages!
Thanks, Kurt. I hope to go back again with a few friends from the States in March next year. Fraser's is so beautiful and cool.




Great set David. Very sharp shots of the puddling butterflies! :thumbsup:
Thanks, Anthony. I think the puddlers are easier to shoot than those feeding on flowers.



Great shots, David. They certainly make me want to visit some time, as I have never been there.
Thanks, Les. You'll have a great time there if you visit.



Looks like you are getting darned good with that Tamron. Those are some really nice images you took! William

Beautiful shots, David. :cheers:
Seems like you are well trained in Maliau :)
Thanks, guys. Yes, I had some very useful advice from the others while out at Maliau. I found that when I used these techniques, my photos were better especially when in low-light situations.

[moloch]

Banded Puffin (Appias pandione). Some had whitish undersides and others were yellowish.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/AppiaspandioneBandedPuffin2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/AppiaspandioneBandedPuffin1.jpg


Lesser Gull (Cepora nadina)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Ceporanadina1.jpg


Group of pierids including a gull and swallowtails that arrived after I put out bait along a creek about 8 km from the Gap (towards Raub). There were no butterflies here until I poured a little of the shrimp paste mixture.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/groupnearRaubfalls.jpg


Tailed Sulphurs (Dercas verhuelli) were fairly common near Jeriau Falls. Whenever the area clouded over, they would quit puddling and fly to the undersides of leaves like this.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Dercasverhuelli3.jpg


I find Grass Yellows to be difficult to identify.

Eurema simulatrix?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Euremasimulatrix.jpg


This grass yellow was tiny and had distinctly rounded wings. It had settled in a small drainage channel so I had to shot at quite an angle above it.
Eurema ada?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Euremaada.jpg


Eurema sp.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Euremasp.jpg


Other pierids that I encountered but did not photograph included:

Wanderers (Pareronia valeria). Common especially 8 km below the Gap.
Tree Yellow (Gandaca harina). A few 8 km below the Gap.
Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona). Common everywhere.
Orange Emigrant (Catopsilia scylla). A few at Jeriau and below the Gap.
Forest White (Phrissura aegis). A few along the trail to Jeriau Falls.
Yellow Orange Tip (Ixias pyrene alticola). One was seen several times at a lantana thicket on the Telecom Loop road. This butterfly seemed smaller than the Ixias observed at Maliau and the lower wing was white rather than yellow.

[Glorious Begum]

Wow, so many species. Great shots too. :cheers:

No Four-bar and Zebra ?

[moloch]

Wow, so many species. Great shots too. :cheers:
Thanks, LC.



No Four-bar and Zebra ?
I will move on to those before too long. Actually, I had bad luck with them and only encountered one each.

[Banded Yeoman]

Your shots are wonderflul. :cheers:

[bluefin]

Tat's a bountiful of great shots David. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


:cheers:

[oksoks]

Wow, that's a lot of of butterflies species. This makes me want to go to FH. Thanks for sharing David . :cheers:

[moloch]

Your shots are wonderflul. :cheers:

Tat's a bountiful of great shots David. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :cheers:

Wow, that's a lot of of butterflies species. This makes me want to go to FH. Thanks for sharing David . :cheers:


Thanks, guys.

Nymphalids are next.

[moloch]

Is this Athyma nefte or A. cama? When I looked through C&P4, it seems to me to more closely match Athyma cama. C&P4 indicates that the subapical spot on the forewing is orange and not white unlike the similar A. nefte. However, shots of A. nefte on the Butterfly Circle Checklist show butterflies with an orange subapical spot.

A. cama (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Athymacama1.jpg



Athyma selenophora: I only saw this species once near Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Athymaselenophora1.jpg



Athyma pravara
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Athymapravara1.jpg



Wizzard (Rhinopalpa polynice): seen at Jeriau and the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Rhinopalpapolynicewizzard1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Rhinopalpapolynicewizzard4.jpg


Castor (Ariadne merione) (thanks, Seow): several seen at first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/AriadneariadneAngledCastor.jpg


Constable (Dichorragia nesimachus). The following species is one that I really wanted to see. It looks so similar to some of the Hamadryas that live in the neotropics. I found two of these colourful butterflies. One was near the falls 4 kms from the Gap and the other was along the creek 8 kms from the Gap. Neither appeared until I poured out the shrimp paste bait. Once it began puddling, it was easy to approach. Its flight was fast and it quickly disappeared from view when it had enough of the flashing camera.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Dichorragianesimachus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Dichorragianesimachus2.jpg

[Psyche]

The Athyma species are correct.( 1st one A. cama)
The Castor is A. merione;( highly zigzag discal band & white spot.)

The Constable is gorgeous, I remember in real life it is rather dark.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Beautiful shot of Constable. :thumbsup:

[Great Mormon]

David, thats a gorgeous shot of the Constable. I hope I can get a shot as good as yours when I visit fraser's Hill.

[bluefin]

Concur with the rest that the shot of the Constable is ;P ;P :thumbsup: :thumbsup: .

:cheers:

[moloch]

Well, I am back in a chilly Wollongong after several weeks in Malaysia. I am going through withdrawals already. It will be another two or three months before it is warm enough for a variety of butterflies to be active near my home. Malaysia is such a great place for butterflies with so many species and so many butterflies.


Thanks very much, Seow, for the identifications.

Thanks all for the comments. The Constable was a beauty. As Seow indicated, it looked quite dark in the forest but the flash brought out its lovely colours.

[moloch]

I saw Tawny Rajahs (Charaxes bernardus) at both locations below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Charaxesbernardustawnyrajah1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Charaxesbernardustawnyrajah2.jpg


Small Leopards (Phalanta alcippe) were seen a few times at the falls 4 km below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Philantaalcippe1SmallLeopard.jpg


Paduca fasciata: These were fairly common at the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Paducafasciata1.jpg


Stibochion anicea: I saw this species twice at the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Stibochionanicea4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Stibochionanicea2.jpg


Euthalia eriphylae (thanks, Seow and Khew). This baron was puddling right at the base of the falls 4 km from the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuthaliamoninaMalayBaron.jpg

[Commander]

Nice collection of a good variety of species. You must've hit a really good patch of diversity in Fraser's Hill. And also had good weather to boot!

The flash on the Constable appears to have gone a bit over. Those that I shot on my FH trip a couple of years back were much darker. :thinking:

The last one looks like a female E. aconthea but the spots appear to be quite diffused.

[Psyche]

The last Baron is interesting. It looks like it should be the female of E. eriphylae.
The hindwing lacks the black dots, & the forewing submarginal fascia is dislocated in space 2.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Silverstreak]

David ,

That is a bountiful harvest from Fraser's Hill!!!

I must say you have really mastered the T180!!


:cheers:

[Commander]

The last Baron is interesting. It looks like it should be the female of E. eriphylae.
The hindwing lacks the black dots, & the forewing submarginal fascia is dislocated in space 2.

I'll defer to your ID on this one, Seow, as I didn't have my C&P4 with me. I recall that Fleming classified E. eriphylae as "Rare", so David's got a rarity here. :cheers:

[Psyche]

I'll defer to your ID on this one, Seow, as I didn't have my C&P4 with me. I recall that Fleming classified E. eriphylae as "Rare", so David's got a rarity here. :cheers:

I am not certain of the ID since C&P4's description and the Yutaka website both shows eriphylae's upper spots should be large.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Commander]

I am not certain of the ID since C&P4's description and the Yutaka website both shows eriphylae's upper spots should be large.

Thanks, Seow. From my own observations over the years, the spots on the females of the Euthalia appear to be very variable. In particular, I've had the chance of examining the females of the more common E. aconthea which showed a range of variability that could even suggest another species or cause a misidentification!

Read my recent blog article here -> http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2011/04/observation-notes-on-variability-of.html

So I wonder if this variability also extends to other species in the genus. If so, then there's a high possibility that you're right with the ID, especially submarginal fascia's dislocation at space 2, which appears to be a more distinctive (and consistent) feature than the spots.

[Psyche]

Thanks for your bloglink, Khew. I was looking for valid pics of E. aconthea gurda to compare.

Your pics. show the black submarginal dots are & a couple of subapical/costal white spots are quite consistent.

From these and the other clue, I am fairly confident of the ID.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

Nice collection of a good variety of species. You must've hit a really good patch of diversity in Fraser's Hill. And also had good weather to boot!

The flash on the Constable appears to have gone a bit over. Those that I shot on my FH trip a couple of years back were much darker. :thinking:

The last one looks like a female E. aconthea but the spots appear to be quite diffused.
Thanks, Khew. I was shooting the Constable in low light so it is possible that the flash setting may have been too intense. Still, it is a beautiful butterfly.



David ,

That is a bountiful harvest from Fraser's Hill!!!

I must say you have really mastered the T180!!


:cheers:
Thanks very much, Sunny. I had some very good advice fom LC, Nelson and Derrick out at Maliau. Fraser's Hill was also productive this year but I did have a car which helped lots. When it was cloudy at FH, I could quickly zip down to the Gap where conditions were usually better.


Thanks, Seow, for all of the identification information that you provide. Your knowledge of the butterflies is amazing!

[moloch]

Indian Yellow Nawab (Polyura jalysus): I saw at least one at each of the three sites that I visited.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyurajalysusYellowIndianNawab1.jpg


I am a little confused about separating Common Nawab (Polyura athamas) from Plain Nawab (P. hebe). To add to my confusion, C&P4 indicates that there are two distinct forms of P. athamas on the peninisula.

#1. Common Nawab (Polyura athamas):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyuraathamasCommonNawab2.jpg


#2. Common Nawab (Polyura athamas):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyuraathamasCommonNawab5.jpg


#3. Common Nawab (Polyura athamas):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyuraathamasCommonNawab4.jpg


#4. Polyura moori (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyurahebePlainNawab1.jpg


#5. Plain Nawab (Polyura hebe)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PolyurahebePlainNawab2.jpg


Jester (Symbrenthia hypatia): I saw this interesting butterfly on one occasion at the base of the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Symbrenthiahypatia1Jester.jpg

... showing a little of the Lascar-like uppersurface:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Symbrenthiahypatia2Jester.jpg

[moloch]

Thanks, Seow. From my own observations over the years, the spots on the females of the Euthalia appear to be very variable. In particular, I've had the chance of examining the females of the more common E. aconthea which showed a range of variability that could even suggest another species or cause a misidentification!

Read my recent blog article here -> http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2011/04/observation-notes-on-variability-of.html



Thanks, Khew, for the link with excellent photos. The females certainly vary a great deal in pattern.

[Glorious Begum]

Wow, you really found a lot of species there. And many Nawabs too. :thumbsup:

[Psyche]

Amazingly you have a shot of P. moori (no 4) which I dont think anyone has done before.
Although not considered rare in the book, this species have proved very elusive.

No 5 is P. hebe.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

Amazingly you have a shot of P. moori (no 4) which I dont think anyone has done before.
Although not considered rare in the book, this species have proved very elusive.

No 5 is P. hebe.

TL Seow:cheers:

Thanks, Seow. I guess that explains why the pale area on the wings was larger than in the shots of P. athamas.

[moloch]

Malay Yeoman (Cirrochroa emalea): I saw several of these on the sandy area along the walk to Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cirrochroamalayamalayyeoman1.jpg


Banded Yeoman (Cirrochroa orrisa): Two of these were seen along the creek about 8 km from the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cirrochroaorissabandedyeoman1.jpg



Cirrochroa tyche The black marking at the wing tip seems to be uniform in width but C&P4 shows the mark extending the length of the upper wing. These were seen at both locations below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cirrochroatyche2.jpg



This Asian Leaf Butterfly (Kallima limborgii) was attracted to the over-ripe bananas that I placed in the forest along the creek 8 km from the Gap. What an amazing butterfly! It opened and closed its wings a number of times until I tried to move to a position where I could photograph the upper surface.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/KallimalimborgiiAsianLeaf1.jpg



Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide): Two of these butterflies were attracted to bait one afternoon. I did not see them on any other days.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Doleschalliabisaltide2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Doleschalliabisaltide1.jpg


Blue Admiral (Kaniska canace): I saw one of these lovely butterflies on the Telecom Loop and another near Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Kaniskacanaceblueknight1.jpg



Black-tipped Archduke (Lexias dirtea) (thanks, Aaron and Seow): I only saw two of these and both were along the creek 8 km from the Gap. They responded well to the over-ripe bananas.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Lexiaspardalisarchduke1.jpg

[atronox]

Archduke is L. dirtea coz of the black antennal clubs(on the upper surface only).:)

[Psyche]

C. tyche is correct.
This and C. surya can have similar markings on the forewing, but surya is always much more heavily darken down the wing margin.



Archduke is L. dirtea coz of the black antennal clubs(on the upper surface only).:)

Right on Aaron. Also, at least in Malaya (peninsular Malaysia) dirtea have the forewing band's inner margin strongly indented throughout compared to pardalis.

TL Seow:cheers:

[WillFolsom]

David; Been enjoying all your posts. You've greatly improved with the T180 (as I have with a lot of BC encouragement and advice). Looking forward to some environmental shots of the place, where you stayed, etc. Keep them coming. William

[shapelessamoeba]

Great series! really enjoyed all the photos :thumbsup:

[moloch]

Thanks for the identification help, Aaron and Seow. I just looked at "Butterfly of the Month - September 2009" and that helped as well. It is interesting that the two species look so similar but live in the same places.



Great series! really enjoyed all the photos :thumbsup:

Thanks very much!


Thanks, William. I don't have many more habitat shots from this year but here is one of the Pekan Bungalow where we stayed:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PekanBungalo.jpg

... the restaurants where we ate:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/frasershill1.jpg


... an often photographed clock tower:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/FrasersHill2.jpg


Here are links to my Fraser's Hill posts from last year. These include a few more habitat and other animal shots.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10230
http://www.butterflycircle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10112

[moloch]

I saw two species of maps at all three sites although they were the most frequent on the sandy area along the trail to Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cyrestismaenalis4.jpg

Cyrestis maenalis was the more common of the two.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cyrestismaenalis1.jpg

Cyrestis nivea
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Cyrestisnivea1.jpg


Record shot of a Vagrant (Vagrans egista)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/VagransegistaVagrant.jpg


A rather worn Royal Assyrian (Terinos terpander) lived at the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Terinosterpanderroyalassyrian1.jpg


Chersonesia rahria
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Chersonesiarahria1.jpg

Other Nymphalids seen but not photographed include:

Pantoporia sp.
Knight (Lebadea martha)
Tanaecia julii
Tanaecia sp.
Neptis sp. (brown bands, not white)
Cethosia sp.: seen near Jeriau Falls
Bassarona sp.: large, brown-winged nymph seen several times but never well enough for an id.
Rustic (Cupha erymanthis): several along creek 8 km from the Gap.

[Grass Demon]

David, your picture of the Pekan Bungalow brings back memories. It looks like it has been refurbished. I stayed there a few times in the 80s & 90s but later it became rather run down when Sin Khoon and I visited FH a few years ago. It's a nice place and conveniently located.

[moloch]

Steven,
The upper floor has been refurbished. It is now in good condition and a great place to stay. We have stayed there twice and have enjoyed it.



DANAINAE

This was one of the largest crows that I have seen. It landed on the Telekom Loop one afternoon. I think that it is Malayan Crow (Euploea camaralzeman)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuploeacamaralzemanMalayanCrow1.jpg


Magpie Crows (Euploea radamanthus) were numerous at Jeriau Falls and the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Euploearadamanthusmagpiecrow2.jpg


Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber)? Common at Jeriau Falls and the first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuploeamulciberStripedBlueCrow2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuploeamulciberStripedBlueCrow1.jpg


Purple-brand King Crow (Euploea eunice): I saw a few at the first falls below the Gap. These were another large crow.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuploeaeunicePurple-brandKingCrow1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/EuploeaeunicePurple-brandKingCrow2.jpg


Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia): fairly common at Fraser's Hill.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/ParanticaaspasiaYellow-glassyTiger1.jpg


Probably Ideopsis similis (thanks, Seow): a few seen near Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/ParanticaagleoidesDark-glassyTiger.jpg

[Bluebottle]

Beautiful series and amazing number of butterflies :cheers:
The Constable is gorgeous!
How many days did you stay in FH?

[Psyche]

All IDs are correct except the last.

The last Tiger is Ideopsis similis.
In P. agleoides the 2 blue subapical spots are elongate, narrow , with the upper one shorter.
Note the rounded forewing's blue spots are rounder than the commoner I. vulgaris.

This is a common species in Thailand & probably India. It is also called the Blue Glassy Tiger, and is more deserving of this name, being larger and bluer.

It has steadily make its way southwards into Selangor state, and probably even further south.

( On rechecking I am begining to have some doubts here. Here are the 2 species on the Yutaka site.)
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30150010.html
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/dan/30160010.html

Do you have other views of this insect?

TL Seow:cheers:

[WillFolsom]

Great shots of the butterflies. You had an obviously terrific holiday! The lodgings look quite impressive. Be a nice place to stay and visit! Really nice to be able to share views from new places. Thanks for downloading those pictures. William

[Painted Jezebel]

Do you have other views of this insect?

TL Seow:cheers:

This specimen is confusing.

I do not think there is an end-cell spot on the fore-wing, if there is, it is far moved towards base.

Overall, I think P. agleoides is closer, but I have doubts too.

[Peacock Royal]

Wow, fantastic shots of a wide range of species.
Pity that I didn't have the time to go round FH to shoot. :-(

[Psyche]

This specimen is confusing.

I do not think there is an end-cell spot on the fore-wing, if there is, it is far moved towards base.

Overall, I think P. agleoides is closer, but I have doubts too.


P. agleoides lacks 2 of the 3 blue discal spots seen on the forewing.

Just below the upper end of the long blue costal streak is the costal part of the endcell spot.
In I. similis the spot is very variable, and the costal part can be small.

In checking more than a dozen I. vulgaris, this portion is always extended into a long thin streak.

All that is needed is a bit more view of the forewing to establish its ID with certainty.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks, guys.

I just re-checked my photos but unfortuately, that is the only shot that I took of the Tiger. My first Red-spot Sawtooth had just arrived at the bait at the same time as the Tiger and I was more interested in photographing it. When I finished, the Tiger was gone.

[moloch]

Common Tiger (Danaus genutia) (thanks, Seow): 2 along trail to Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/DanausmelanippusBlack-veinedTiger1.jpg


Chocolate Tiger (Parantica melaneus): Common at Fraser's Hill
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Paranticamelaneuschocolatetiger3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Paranticamelaneuschocolatetiger4.jpg


Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala septntrionis): Only one at first falls below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/TirumalaseptentrionisDarkBlueTiger.jpg


Other Danainae seen but not photographed included:

Parantica sita: I saw several of these on the telecom loop. It took me a couple of days before I realized that they were different from the Chocolate Tigers. Unfortunately, I never saw one settle where I could photograph it.
Ideopsis gaura: This small Tree Nymph was seen a few times near Jeriau Falls.
Idea lynceus: More common at lower elevations such as the two sites below the Gap.
Euploea sp.: A small crow was seen at the first waterfall below the Gap.



RHIODINIDS
Tailed Judy (Abisara neophron): These butterflies were common along the Telecom Loop. They seemed to be the most active in the late afternoon when shadows crossed the road. At that time, I would see these fast-flying butterflies that seemed to be patrolling sections of the road. The one below had been sitting on the road in the morning with wings tilted upwards until it was disturbed by a car. It then flew to a sunny perch and opened its wings.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Abisaraneophrontailedjudy1.jpg



Abisara kausambi, female (thanks, Seow). I only saw one of these along the creek 8 km below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/plumjudy1.jpg


Punchinello (Zemeros flegyas): This one was my only sighting and it was on lantana along the Telecom Loop.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Zemerosflegyas2Punchinello.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Zemerosflegyas1Punchinello.jpg

[moloch]

How many days did you stay in FH?

Loke,
We arrived at Fraser's Hill on a Saturday afternoon and left at 4am the following Saturday. One day was grey and cool with few butterflies seen. On other days, the sun usually burned through the clouds by lunch and I would have three or four hours to chase butterflies before their activity diminished once again.

[Psyche]

Thanks, guys.

I just re-checked my photos but unfortuately, that is the only shot that I took of the Tiger. My first Red-spot Sawtooth had just arrived at the bait at the same time as the Tiger and I was more interested in photographing it. When I finished, the Tiger was gone.

What a pity! Still after careful comparisons, I am 80% confident of the ID.

The Black-veined Tiger is actually the Common Tiger (D. genutia). The tawny shading on the hindwing indicates its ID.

The Dark Blue Tiger is an enigma to me. I always see it as a large black Tiger with glittering green marks in the sun.
Yet in pics it is always blue.
Does anyone have the same experience ?

The Judy should be A. kausambi female. Even allowing for some perspective distortion, the underside line is very straight across both wings; the upperside submarginal band is also better defined.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks again, Seow, for the corrections.


PAPILIONIDAE

I found a single dragontail on two occasions in a secluded corner of the sand flat along the trail to Jeriau Falls. I had baited this area. I am not certain of the identify. I don't see pale green on its wings but then, I can't really see that colour on other photos of Lamproptera meges. The band through the wing seems to be wide and this more closely matches the illustration of L. meges in C&P4 but the shots of L. curius in Khew's et al report from Ipoh also looks very similar. What should I be looking at to identify this butterfly?

Lamproptera meges (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/LampropteramegesGreenDragontail1.jpg


Red Helen (Papilio helenus): Common at all three sites.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PapiliohelenusRedHelen2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PapiliohelenusRedHelen3.jpg


Great Mormon (Papilio memnon): A few at all three sites.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Papiliomemnongreatmormon1a.jpg


Graphium bathycles or G. chironides? I only saw one of these on most days near Jeriau Falls and one along the creek 8 km below the Gap. The orange bands on the lower wing seem wide to me so my guess would be G. bathycles.

Graphium bathycles (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Graphiumbathycles1.jpg



Blue Jay (Graphium evamon): a few seen near Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Graphiumevamon1.jpg



Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon): The most common Graphium as per normal.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Graphiumsarpedonblue-bottle1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Graphiumsarpedonblue-bottle2.jpg


I was excited to see what I think is a rare swallowtail at the sandy area along the trail to Jeriau Falls. The swallowtail was larger than a Graphium but smaller than the Papilio swallowtails. It was brown and yellowish on both surfaces and had a long tail on each wing. The swallowtail initially was flying over the forest canopy but then dropped on three occasions to the sandy flat where it briefly puddled. It was always too quick for my T180 and I did not even manage a record shot. I believe that it was Meandrusa payeni.

[Psyche]

Dragontail is Lamproptera meges.

L. meges: forewing uppermost window about 2/3 width of next, black margin narrower; hindwing band as broad as that on the forewing but tapers downwards.

L. curius: forewing uppermost window about 1/2 or less the width of next,black margin broader; hindwing band narrower than forewing band & similarly tapered.

Graphium is G. bathycles.
In G. chironides, there is an extra narrow window on the hindwing, within the broad black band that is parallel to the body band.

Meandrusa payeni is a remarkable butterfly with sickle wings that have a nervous erratic flight like a Graphium. Males are seen at low altitudes as well.
This butterfly suffers the unfortunate fate of being called the Yellow Gorgon. This appeared to arise from the mistaken notion that Meandrusa is the scientific name of Medusa, the most famous of the Gorgon sisters.
Meandrusa is from the River Meandrus (Maindros in Greek, Meander in English) a winding river famed in Greek myths & legends. It is presently the Meneres River in Turkey.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Wow.. you really got a lot more than all of us visited there. Congrats to you and make me want to go back there agin.

In previous trip, we have seen Meandrusa payeni too but it didn't stop for us. :-(

[moloch]

As always, thanks so much for your assistance with the identifications, Seow. It is helpful to know the clues that you use for sorting out these similar species.

Yellow Gorgon? What an unfortunate name for a nice butterfly! It is too bad that it was so nervous and did not stay in one spot long enough for a photo.


Thanks, LC. I was lucky and saw many species this year. It was great to have a hire car so that I could quickly head down to lower elevations when the hill was too cool and overcast. That made a big difference and I saw a number of species below the Gap that I did not encounter near Fraser's.

I kept wondering what you and Nelson would have come up with. Both of you were so good at spotting things in Maliau and always ended up with more interesting finds than me.

[moloch]

Four-bar Swallowtail (Pathysa agetes): I only saw one of these pretty swallowtails along track to Jeriau Falls. The day was windy and the butterfly was often spooked by the wind gusts. I never could get near enough to take good shots of it.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Pathysaagetesfour-barswallowtail3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Pathysaagetesfour-barswallowtail1.jpg


This butterfly has me confused and I am not certain of its identity. Is it Chilasa clytia? It showed more brown on the lower wing than is illustrated in C&P4. I only saw it once below the dam wall along the trail to Jeriau Falls.

Hestina mimetica (thanks, Aaron)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/ChilasaclytiaCommonMime.jpg



Other Papilionids seen but not photographed included:

Trogonoptera brookiana: along trail to Jeriau Falls.
Troides sp: widespread.
Banded Peacock (Papilio palinurus): 8 km below the Gap.
Yellow Gorgon (Meandrusa payeni): once along the trail to Jeriau Falls.
Banded Swallowtail (Papilio demolion): once along the trail to Jeriau Falls.
Five-barred Swallowtail (Pathysa antiphates): one at falls 4 km below the Gap.




LYCAENIDAE

Blue Leaf Blue (Amblypodia narada) (thanks, Seow). I poured shrimp paste bait on the bridge that crosses the creek a little above the falls. I saw lots of butterflies flying along the creek and wanted to see what might stop. It did not take long for this Leaf Blue to arrive. The upper surface was a lovely purple.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Amblypodiaanitaforestblue1a.jpg


Common Hedge Blue (Acytolepis puspa): a few seen 8 km below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/AcytolepispuspaCommonHedgeBlue.jpg


Malayan Sunbeam (Curetis santana): these butterflies were numerous at both locations below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/CuretissantanaMalayanSunbeam2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/CuretissantanaMalayanSunbeam1.jpg



Pea Blue (Lampides boeticus): One only below the dam along the trail to Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/LampidesboeticusPeaBlue.jpg

[moloch]

Una usta: One on sandy flat along trail to Jeriau Falls
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Unausta1.jpg


Udara dilecta (thanks, Seow): a few on sandy flat along trail to Jeriau Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/UdaraakasaWhiteHedgeBlue.jpg


Fluffy Tit (Zeltus amasa): one or two at all sites.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/ZeltusamasaFluffyTit1.jpg


Elbowed Pierrot(Caleta elna): a few at all sites.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/CaletaelnaElbowedPierrot.jpg


Other lycaenids seen but not photographed included:

A number of other small lycaenids
a few Arhopala
a Common Imperial
a Yamfly




I mostly ignored the small Satyrinae. The following Common Three-Ring (Ypthima pandocus)? flew out to the bait so was an easy shot.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Ypthima1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Ypthima2.jpg


Other Satyrinae seen but not photographed included

Ypthima sp.
Mycalesis sp
Malayan Owl (Neorina lowii): one near Jeriau Falls and one tattered individual at over-ripe bananas 8 km below the Gap.
Xanthotaenia busiris: One briefly puddled on sandy flat along trail to Jeriau Falls.




MORPHINAE

Common Faun (Faunis canens): attracted to over-ripe bananas.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/FauniscanensCommonFaun.jpg

Only other Morphinae was what appeared to be a Dark Blue Jungle Glory (Thaumantis klugius) that was briefly seen along the trail to Jeriau Falls.

[atronox]

3rd shot in post #60 is a Hestina mimetica.:)

[The Plane]

David, I really admire you for getting so many of them in one single trip and a lot of the shots are really good too :thumbsup:. Perhaps you can publish a Fraser's Hill Butterflies Book :bsmile:

[Psyche]

3rd shot in post #60 is a Hestina mimetica.:)
Credit to Aaron.

The Amblypodia should be A. narada.
Admittedly these 2 are very similar on the undersides, and there are a lot of confusing images on the net, but here are valid images of A. anita from Koh Samui with both upper/undersides, so there is no mis-ID.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AmblypodiaAnitaThaiMFUpUnAC1.jpg

Una usta should be correct.
There are a couple of spots missing, 2 in the forewing cell, & one on the inner margin of the hindwing, but I don't think this can be a species new to science.

The little lycaenid is Monodontides musina. ( submarginal V or chevron marks & 3 spots in line at tornus.)
This is apparently not a rare species, but one that will readily be dismissed by most photographers.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Commander]

The Amblypodia should be A. narada.
Admittedly these 2 are very similar on the undersides, and there are a lot of confusing images on the net, but here are valid images of A. anita from Koh Samui with both upper/undersides, so there is no mis-ID.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AmblypodiaAnitaThaiMFUpUnAC1.jpg


The two are indeed very similar. The underside markings are also quite variable. Seow, can you re-check what I had ID'ed as A. narada earlier? This was the shot (http://www.butterflycircle.com/forums/showpost.php?p=103376&postcount=43) that I took at Gua Tempurung recently.

[Psyche]

The two are indeed very similar. The underside markings are also quite variable. Seow, can you re-check what I had ID'ed as A. narada earlier? This was the shot (http://www.butterflycircle.com/forums/showpost.php?p=103376&postcount=43) that I took at Gua Tempurung recently.

I concur with your ID, Khew.
You are right about the high variability. Even the amount of white dusting is variable. The indentation in the hindwing line in David's pic is also of no help.

The only thing I can see at the moment are 2 possible useful features.
In the correct perspective the male of A. narada have a very convex termen.
The wings of A. narada appeared to be much more heavily speckled with black.

TL Seow:cheers:

[Peacock Royal]

David, you seem to have an endless collection of shots from FH :gbounce:

[Commander]

I concur with your ID, Khew.
You are right about the high variability. Even the amount of white dusting is variable. The indentation in the hindwing line in David's pic is also of no help.

Thanks, Seow. Will have to scrutinise the specimen that I have in my collection for the characteristics. I'll post it separately for your evaluation later. :)


David, you seem to have an endless collection of shots from FH :gbounce:

Yes indeed. David's shot more species in one week at Fraser's Hill than many of us can shoot in a year in Singapore! :grin2:

[moloch]

Thanks, Aaron, Seow and Khew for the help/links with the identifications. Seow, I don't think that I would ever have matched Monodontides musina with the photo of the little blue.

Khew, it is unfortunate that the Leaf Blues don't open their wings more often. I saw the bright purple of this one in flight but the wings remained closed while it was puddling.


David, I really admire you for getting so many of them in one single trip and a lot of the shots are really good too :thumbsup:. Perhaps you can publish a Fraser's Hill Butterflies Book :bsmile:
:bsmile: , thanks, Chng.


David, you seem to have an endless collection of shots from FH :gbounce:

David's shot more species in one week at Fraser's Hill than many of us can shoot in a year in Singapore! :grin2:
Almost finished! I have a few skipper shots to go. Fraser's Hill is such a top place for a visit and I would recommend it to anyone. It was fun to wander around and see so many different species of butterflies. The experience was very different to my trips here in Australia.

[moloch]

Skipper #1. Hieroglyphic Skipper (Odina hieroglyphica): I could not get close to it but I was happy to see this species that was new to me. I've seen so many excellent photos of this butterfly on BC. This one was sunning itself along the creek 8 km below the Gap.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Odinahieroglyphica.jpg



Skipper #2. Darpa striata (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Tagiadescalligana.jpg



Skipper #3. Here is a record shot of Malayan White Flat (Seseria affinis). It was attacted to the shrimp paste mixture along the creek 8 km below the Gap.

Khew and Loke had superb shots of this species in their Ipoh trip report at this link:
http://www.butterflycircle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11354

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Seseriaaffinis.jpg


Skipper #4. Potanthus ganda (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/skipper1.jpg


Skipper #5. Telicota colon (thanks, Seow)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/skipper3.jpg


Skipper #6. This species was numerous on the sand flats near Jeriau Falls. Pithauria marsena
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/skipper2.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

David, you must have had one hell of an Asian trip. You have come across so many species, in Taman Negara, Maliau and Fraser's Hill.

I am very, very jealous. I will be following in your footsteps.

[Psyche]

2. Darpa sriata

4. Potanthus ganda (P. omaha have distinctly dark veins across hindwing band & all along periphery of both wings )
Note no strong black edgings to bands; veins not/or just lightly darkened; solid costal-cellular orange patch. A common species.

5. Telicota colon
(Strong greenish yellow tinge; band distinct with black spots; forewing spots with comma-shaped black inner margins )

6. Pithauria marsena is correct.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

David, you must have had one hell of an Asian trip. You have come across so many species, in Taman Negara, Maliau and Fraser's Hill.

I am very, very jealous. I will be following in your footsteps.

It was a fantastic trip and I had great time.


Thanks again, Seow, for your help with the identifications.


That is it for the butterflies from Fraser's Hill. I will add a few more photos of other animals to the post.

[moloch]

I found this lovely creature while walking the Telecom Loop one morning. It is a Black-copper Rat Snake (Elaphe flavolineata). When I stepped in front of it to block its escape, it immediately became defensive. The snake flattened its neck, opened its mouth and crawled towards me. I was curious to see if it was bluffing so stood still. The snake crawled right up to me and then bit my leg ... it was serious and wanted to be left alone! I ended up being bitten again when I moved it to a better area for photos. I was bleeding when I finished with the photos. Unfortunately, it settled and did not look quite as impressive when compared to the initial response to my presence.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/snake3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/snake9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/snake1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/snake10.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/snake6.jpg


I went on night drives to look for some of the nocturnals. I did not see much but did find this injured White-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga drapiezii) below the Gap. These seem to be ecological equivalents to Imantodes in the neotropics. Both are vine-like and rear fanged.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/white-spottedcat-eyedsnake2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/white-spottedcat-eyedsnake3.jpg

[moloch]

I found a road-killed Malayan Banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus) near the waterfall between the Gap and Kuala Kubu Bharu. It was too damaged for photos. In life, I would have been wary of it since it looked much like a Banded Krait.


I saw a few of these geckos near the Gap. I think that they were Banded Slender-toed Geckos (Cyrtodactylus pulchellus). The geckos were fast and usually raced off the road before I could get back for photos.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/bandedslender-toedgecko2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/bandedslender-toedgecko3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/bandedslender-toedgecko4.jpg



This tarantula just would not come out of its burrow. I saw photos of another by Nelson(?) earlier this year and hoped to have a better view of it.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/tarantula1.jpg

The primitive trap doors were incredible spiders. I stopped at this burrow one night and lightly brushed a small stick across the door. The spider absolutely exploded out of the hole and hit the stick with considerable force. The speed of the attack just amazed me and I could not help but jump back.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/spidertrapdoor2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/spidertrapdoor3.jpg


I often have seen Long-tailed Macaques near Fraser's/Gap but this was the first trip when I also observed Pig-tailed Macaques.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/pig-tailedmacaque1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/pig-tailedmacaque2.jpg


That is all from my trip to Fraser's Hill. It is such an excellent place. I hope to get back again for a few days next March. That trip will be with birding friends but I will take some time to chase butterflies as well.

[moloch]

... forgot to post the bird list from this year. I was not actively birding but always carried the binoculars to have a look at what moved along the road. The telecom loop was quite productive.


Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela) seen twice near Jeriau Falls
Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus) one near the Gap
Blyth's Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus alboniger) one below the Gap along road to Kuala Kabu Bharu
Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus) heard along Telecom Loop
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) a few below the Gap
Little Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia ruficeps) common on Telecom Loop
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula badia) a few along Telecom Loop
Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) two along Telecom Loop
Raffles's Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus chlorophaeus) a few near the Gap
Mountain Scops-Owl (Otus spilocephalus) nightly at Fraser's
Brown Wood-Owl (Strix leptogrammica) one near accommodation
Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei) one on Telecom Loop
Glossy Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta) a few along Telecom Loop
Black-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) daily
House Swift (Apus nipalensis) daily
Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus) a few heard along Telecom Loop
Fire-tufted Barbet (Psilopogon pyrolophus) daily
Gold-whiskered Barbet (Megalaima chrysopogon) daily
Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos) heard often near the Gap
Black-browed Barbet (Megalaima oorti) daily
Yellow-crowned Barbet (Megalaima henricii) a few heard near the Gap
Blue-eared Barbet (Megalaima australis) heard near the Gap
Lesser Yellownape (Picus chlorolophus) seen occasionally along Telecom Loop
Banded Broadbill (Eurylaimus javanicus) heard near the Gap
Black-and-yellow Broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus) heard near the Gap
Rusty-naped Pitta (Pitta oatesi) heard on a single afternoon along the Telecom Loop
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) common
Large Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina macei) a few along Telecom Loop
Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus) a few near the Gap
Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) daily
Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophrys) heard daily along Telecom Loop
Yellow-bellied Prinia (Prinia flaviventris) a few near the Gap
Mountain Tailorbird (Orthotomus cuculatus) daily
Chestnut-crowned Warbler (Seicercus castaniceps) daily
Rufous-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula solitaris) daily
Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni) twice along Telecom Loop
Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassina) once along Telecom Loop
Large Niltava (Niltava grandis) one or two daily
Gray-headed Canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) heard daily along Telecom Loop
Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) daily
Chestnut-naped Forktail (Enicurus ruficapillus) once observed near waterfall 4 km below the Gap
Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus) numerous at Jeriau Falls and along small creeks at Fraser's Hill
White-throated Fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) a few along Telecom Loop
Black Laughingthrush (Garrulax lugubris) a small flock found once at the highest point along the Telecom Loop
Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush (Garrulax mitratus) common
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax erythrocephalus) a few each day
Buff-breasted Babbler (Pellorneum tickelli) a few each day
Pygmy Wren-Babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla) heard most days
Golden Babbler (Stachyris chrysaea) daily
Grey-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps) daily
Silver-eared Mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) daily
White-browed Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis) daily
Blue-winged Minla (Minla cyanouroptera) daily
Mountain Fulvetta (Alcippe peracensis) daily
Long-tailed Sibia (Heterophasia picaoides) daily
Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea) flock of 20 on once occasion
Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) a few times at gardens.
Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera flavigaster) daily
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Prionochilus maculatus) daily
Everett's White-eye (Zosterops everetti) small flock near Jeriau Falls and along Telecom Loop
Asian Fairy-bluebird (Irena puella) near the Gap
Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) a few along Telecom Loop
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer) daily
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) near accommodation

[Psyche]

Another oopsie to correct, David. This should be the last.

The little lycaenid in post 61 is Udara dilecta. The underside is just too white & there are little differences in the spots.
This should be the last.

TL Seow:cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks for the update, Seow. I changed the text.

[moloch]

I had a look through my Fraser's Hill photos again and realized that I have overlooked one of the more interesting swallowtails. :embrass:

This swallowtail was puddling in the same area where I had photographed Red Helens earlier in the day near Jeriau Falls. The white was more extensive and it had blue markings on the outer hind wings. I mistakenly thought that it was another Red Helen and only took a couple of quick shots. I believe that this was a Great Helen (Papilio iswara), correct?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/Papilioiswara2GreatHelen.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Malaysia/Frasers%20Hill/July2011/PapilioiswaraGreatHelen.jpg

[Commander]

Yup. You got a Great Helen there... :cheers:

They rarely puddle over here in Singapore :thinking:

[moloch]

Thanks for that, Khew.