Malaysia 2016

[MinuteMaid]

Haven't gone butterflying in such a long time! Moved to Sydney to study ichthyology, so butterflying took a backseat for a bit. Took a week long trip to Malaysia and managed to find some nice butterflies. Photos mainly from Fraser's Hill, Bukit Tinggi and random low-land areas in-between.

Not sure if the IDs are accurate, so please feel free to correct them!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7244/27423747883_536eed6964_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HMkSPn)
Tajuria isaeus (https://flic.kr/p/HMkSPn)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7139/27756959360_3387d9bf7c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JhMEYQ)
Discolampa ethion (https://flic.kr/p/JhMEYQ)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7103/27959595331_ce426657b1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JAGeAt)
Arhopala myrzalina (https://flic.kr/p/JAGeAt)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7385/27446882363_487791d493_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HPorTH)
Thrix scopula (https://flic.kr/p/HPorTH)

Got sight of a large lycaenid flitting from leaf to leaf. Managed to get a glimpse of the prominent forewing brand in flight, confirming its identity as a male Thrix.

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7418/27850404790_f097ba2abb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Jr3B3W)
Cheritra freja (https://flic.kr/p/Jr3B3W)

This guy came out just immediately after the Thrix, and I thought it was another species, or perhaps Neocheritra. But alas.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7358/27823540140_bd7b06e126_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JoEV8j)
Arhopala caeca (https://flic.kr/p/JoEV8j)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7458/27514875283_2442749c3e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVoVPr)
Arhopala caeca (https://flic.kr/p/HVoVPr)

Quite a nice surprise to find a small group of Arhopala caeca, though I only managed to get one or two decent shots. None of them were cooperative.

[MinuteMaid]

Lots of Cyrestis around! Everywhere!

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7458/28028048622_d3c8153e96_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGK5nC)
Cyrestis cocles (https://flic.kr/p/JGK5nC)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7469/28095905806_a3bb94b681_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNJRX5)
Cyrestis cocles (https://flic.kr/p/JNJRX5)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7536/27516258984_df5213e2b2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVw29m)
Cyrestis cocles (https://flic.kr/p/HVw29m)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7374/28096805176_0fda286443_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNPtis)
Cyrestis cocles (https://flic.kr/p/JNPtis)

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/299/18684247626_bdeb40ae21_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ut4DSs)
Cyrestis themire there (https://flic.kr/p/ut4DSs)

[MinuteMaid]

Few more puddling shots

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7389/28053043691_327e6d26e1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJXbx6)
Lycaenopsis heraldus (https://flic.kr/p/JJXbx6)

Seen this species a couple times here and there, but always no chance for a decent photo!

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7426/28131523975_82fe01ee60_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRTpZr)
Hypolycaena erylus (https://flic.kr/p/JRTpZr)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7453/27516129054_d76d343e41_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVvmwb)
Odontoptilum pygela (https://flic.kr/p/HVvmwb)

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7391/28096915226_60b067a82e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNQ31S)
Odontoptilum pygela (https://flic.kr/p/JNQ31S)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7621/28052904051_f9da602aa3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJWt2v)
Odontoptilum pygela (https://flic.kr/p/JJWt2v)

These guys were everywhere

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7384/28131320945_239c99a93c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRSnCV)
Seseria affinis (https://flic.kr/p/JRSnCV)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7409/28096529246_034a6974bf_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNN4h3)
Seseria affinis (https://flic.kr/p/JNN4h3)

So where these guys!

[MinuteMaid]

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7413/27850006700_78c60b17f8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Jr1yHj)
Chersonesia sp. (https://flic.kr/p/Jr1yHj)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7431/27515889363_99c89af0d4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVu8gz)
Chersonesia sp. (https://flic.kr/p/HVu8gz)

Not too sure on these maplets

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7338/27850439560_8542a95c60_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Jr3Moq)
Cirrochroa orissa (https://flic.kr/p/Jr3Moq)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7445/28027834742_d78aa1a449_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGHYN3)
Rhinopalpa polynice (https://flic.kr/p/JGHYN3)

https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7408/27515480373_8fc3c69974_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVs2G2)
Rhinopalpa polynice (https://flic.kr/p/HVs2G2)

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7455/28052502831_5665a12d15_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJUpKV)
Rhinopalpa polynice (https://flic.kr/p/JJUpKV)

Lots of wizards too! Don't think i've ever seen so many of these on one trip. Couple of specimens at every site.

[MinuteMaid]

More puddling nymphalids

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7320/27516079494_78705ff2e4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVv6MG)
Amathuxidia amythaon (https://flic.kr/p/HVv6MG)

Only got a single photo of this Koh-I-Noor.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7425/28131196225_732f5dcb46_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRRJyz)
Agatasa calydonia (https://flic.kr/p/JRRJyz)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7289/28131241025_7802d52fc3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRRXSZ)
Agatasa calydonia (https://flic.kr/p/JRRXSZ)

A very cooperative Glorious Begum. Saw two individuals at the same location, although only one came down to puddle.

Here's a more natural setting.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7218/27515658554_096a51ee1f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVsWE7)
Agatasa calydonia (https://flic.kr/p/HVsWE7)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7337/28052415801_9fb01d1220_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJTXTp)
Agatasa calydonia (https://flic.kr/p/JJTXTp)

[MinuteMaid]

Couple more puddling shots.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7521/27515902464_aacbe120e1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVucas)
Amblypodia sp. (https://flic.kr/p/HVucas)

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7458/28052618111_6be8f1027a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJV12v)
Phalanta alcippe (https://flic.kr/p/JJV12v)

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7467/28131128855_98291e8a76_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRRox2)
Phalanta alcippe (https://flic.kr/p/JRRox2)

Quite a number of these guys too!

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7389/28096908226_ebae6aae8e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNPZWb)
Polyura athamas (https://flic.kr/p/JNPZWb)

As usual, these were everywhere.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7297/28055248831_41e5bb26d7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JK9u3K)
Polyura moori (https://flic.kr/p/JK9u3K)

I've seen Polyura moori a handful of times on previous trips, but never managed to get a photo. This trip I saw a few at each site I visited, but only one was kind enough to let me get a single photo.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7630/27514847863_881365d9d4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVoMEF)
Polyura jalysus (https://flic.kr/p/HVoMEF)

These guys are gorgeous as ever

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7448/28095863096_3f07ef19a1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNJDfG)
Athyma parvara (https://flic.kr/p/JNJDfG)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7564/27850050230_43cb9fb2a8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Jr1MDQ)
Athyma asuria (https://flic.kr/p/Jr1MDQ)

[MinuteMaid]

More miscellaneous nymphalids

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7575/28044516362_d640ff4527_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJctEb)
Vagrans egista (https://flic.kr/p/JJctEb)

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7452/27533078023_aff3a679bc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HX1dRM)
Vagrans egista (https://flic.kr/p/HX1dRM)

A common but infuriating species to photograph! After so many trips to Malaysia, this is my first decent shot of Vagrans.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7318/28028106712_01715ba270_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGKnDb)
Zemeros flegyas (https://flic.kr/p/JGKnDb)

Common up at Fraser's, but not very cooperative.

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7433/27515891534_2397141d38_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVu8V1)
Zemeros emesoides (https://flic.kr/p/HVu8V1)

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7516/28027526642_1a01ee7df3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGGpcY)
Zemeros emesoides (https://flic.kr/p/JGGpcY)

Common in the low land jungles, and more cooperative than flegyas!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7494/27515262793_aed9657b5d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVqV1D)
Euripus nyctelius (https://flic.kr/p/HVqV1D)

Courtesans were common, but always singly

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7316/28130865135_33f8863dc4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRQ398)
Laringa castelnaui (https://flic.kr/p/JRQ398)

[MinuteMaid]

Some papilionids.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7358/28131629595_76be70e288_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRTXot)
Graphium arycles (https://flic.kr/p/JRTXot)

I saw the greatest numbers of these at Taman Negara, where I got my fill of photos. It's nice to see G. arycles again, though this time only two specimens.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7304/28096723496_73fcaf7853_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNP42b)
Graphium agamemnon (https://flic.kr/p/JNP42b)

It's easy to mistake the above for arycles in flight.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7396/28028124642_d8066ba9da_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGKsYj)
Papilio helenus (https://flic.kr/p/JGKsYj)

I think this is the Red Helen. Only got an upper wing shot of one resting in the shade before it flew off. There were many puddling though!

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7287/27516154834_d0d9ecf8fd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVvubE)
Papilio iswara (https://flic.kr/p/HVvubE)

Don't see these guys puddling often, or at all in Malaysia!

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7288/27849730250_ab7dfefab0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JqZ9wW)
Lamproptera curius (https://flic.kr/p/JqZ9wW)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7708/28027244792_4bbfb66754_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGEXqu)
Lamproptera meges (https://flic.kr/p/JGEXqu)

Both dragon tail species also showed up.

[MinuteMaid]

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7239/28052175131_3d37eb61f6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJSJkV)
Losaria coon (https://flic.kr/p/JJSJkV)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7539/27515436304_64052d8d5c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVrNAd)
Losaria coon (https://flic.kr/p/HVrNAd)

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7368/27515399334_dbfe1217a5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVrBAN)
Losaria coon (https://flic.kr/p/HVrBAN)

I think this club tail was freshly eclosed. It was very lethargic and rested repeatedly.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7036/27515516234_85c2e3ae62_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVsdmj)
Pathysa antiphates (https://flic.kr/p/HVsdmj)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7427/28130808985_3be0e2f9de_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRPKs2)
Pathysa antiphates (https://flic.kr/p/JRPKs2)

These are common as ever, but I've never had a shot of one resting on a leaf. Tried out some different light settings. I think I prefer the backlit one more.

[MinuteMaid]

oops, more misc. stuff.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7302/28027543052_f2bd55285c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JGGu5U)
Megisba malaya (https://flic.kr/p/JGGu5U)

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7506/28052520051_caa616d43d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJUuSP)
Neopithecops zalmora (https://flic.kr/p/JJUuSP)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7427/27515383793_5c69f07ac7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVrwYR)
Cepora judith (https://flic.kr/p/HVrwYR)

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7540/28130840055_4c4b03386a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRPUFH)
Appias lyncida (https://flic.kr/p/JRPUFH)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7368/28096254776_100f6d52f2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JNLDFN)
Arhopala trogon (https://flic.kr/p/JNLDFN)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7468/28130523105_978749de41_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRNht4)
Arhopala eumolphus (https://flic.kr/p/JRNht4)

These were flying with A. horsfieldi, which were quite obvious in flight. Though whenever they landed, i could never differentiate them! I think this is eumolphus.

[MinuteMaid]

Some help with this Poritia would be nice!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7617/27514969313_2c889b6f8f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVppLD)
Poritia sp. (https://flic.kr/p/HVppLD)

https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7359/28052141221_341c5f92e4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJSygg)
Sithon nedymond (https://flic.kr/p/JJSygg)

I found a small patch of jungle with a couple of males and females flying around, but I quickly gave up chasing after them.

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7334/27515008803_18b9a65bb6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HVpBvv)
Abisara savitri (https://flic.kr/p/HVpBvv)

I only saw one savitri this trip, and as always, it was a pain to photograph

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7446/27849361530_546187811f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JqXfVG)
Abisara neophron (https://flic.kr/p/JqXfVG)

These guys were commoner up in the hills, but no less insipid and annoying!

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7443/28130679915_8faea07ce5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRP65F)
Laxita thuisto (https://flic.kr/p/JRP65F)

https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7691/28130654525_781414a312_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRNXwV)
Laxita thuisto (https://flic.kr/p/JRNXwV)

This lesser harlequin was much more cooperative

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7653/28130779705_3f867c8025_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JRPAKc)
Ancema blanka (https://flic.kr/p/JRPAKc)

A pretty worn silver royal.

[MinuteMaid]

https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7298/28044587932_67614faa25_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JJcQW9)
Ideopsis gaura (https://flic.kr/p/JJcQW9)

I'm embarrassed to say that this is my first (and only) shot of this species! haha.

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7460/28148664135_23800015b6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JTpgar)
Flos morphina (https://flic.kr/p/JTpgar)

My best find this trip! The habitat was a forest clearing, exposed, at the top of a hill, flanking an asphalt road and some disturbed shrubbery caused by a tractor. Initially I saw a single darkish colored lycaenid puddling on the floor with a Vagrans. I thought it was Amblypodia, so I ignored it, but when it flew and re-landed on the floor, I immediately knew what it was (it was one of those "book species" that i've always wanted to see). Strange that it was puddling, and it hopped around back and forth for a bit before disappearing. It re-emerged again at 12.30, but this time with 2-3 other males (though I suspect some are Flos areste; I saw them around too) behaving strangely. They would fly out from the adjacent forest and patrol the road up and down before going back into the forest. they did this at every 10 minute or so intervals, and would seldom rest. Occasionally they would stop on the floor or the road barricade (and even that tractor!) to sun themselves, but then quickly resumed their dog-fighting and patrolling behaviour. They were really placid (but still skittish) at 12-ish, but then became too active and nervous by midday. All of them completely disappeared by 2.

I only managed one photo. I could get near to them, but everytime i was about to click my shutter, it would fly up and fight with some other male nearby and disappear. Very frustrating.

[Peacock Royal]

Wow, what a fantastic collection of butterfly species.
Thanks for sharing.

[Psyche]

Post 4. Chersonesia rahria ;FW apex with curved cross-line; HW outer band much wider than inner two.
Post 6. Probably Amblypodia narada :Amost impossible to tell from underside; larger & darker.
Post 10 .Arhopala eumolphus is right; HW green metalmark long tapering ; blocky in A. horsfieldi.

TL Seow: Cheers.

[Psyche]

Post 11. Should be female P. erycinoides.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc1/80030010.html

[Psyche]

Post 11. Probable ID. Poritia hewitsoni female.
The ground colour is not white enough to match erycinoides female.
The lower half of the broken FW discal band is very broad, much as in some example of P. hewitsoni females.
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/lyc1/80060010.html

The other species with underside white in the female is P. manilia.
Female Upperside FW cell with a blue spot & scalings ;HW cell & basal half of space 4 black.
Probable female P. manilia.
http://www.thaibugs.com/wp-content/gallery/lycaenid-2/Poritia%20hewitsoni1.jpg
http://www.thaibugs.com/wp-content/gallery/lycaenid-2/Poritia%20hewitsoni.jpg

[MinuteMaid]

Thanks for the help Dr. Seow!

Always appreciated!

[Angiud]

Great trip!

Many interesting/rare species!

[Commander]

Love that blue Laringa castelnaui open-wing shot! :cheers:

[MinuteMaid]

Love that blue Laringa castelnaui open-wing shot! :cheers:

It's a nice species! I last saw it in Taman Negara, where it was too cooperative to shoot! haha.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7458/8830964578_ed9cfe24d3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/esn16Y)
Laringa castelnaui (https://flic.kr/p/esn16Y)

[Psyche]

Post 11 Re-correction.
The colour is correct for P. erycinoides.
There is also a bit of see-through effect on the FW indicating it is orange on the upperside.
http://ze-ph.sakura.ne.jp/zeph-blog/index.php?e=306

[atronox]

Nice find on the Flos morphina, one of those more peculiar-looking lycaenids. This photo shows the unique velvety-black wing bases very well!!