Two Rare Arhopala

[Silverstreak]

Somewhere deep in the CCA the Butterfly Fairy smiled at me , two rare Arhopalas under the same branch.

Thank goodness they both stayed long enough for me to claim a +2 before they scooted....The high ISO of the 40D came in real handy with both shots taken at ISO 3200 and very low shutter speed.



Arhopala aurea corrected to Arhopala silhetensis adorea (Sylhet Oakblue). see announcement positive ID and rediscovery of of this species.



Arhopala myrzala lammas

[Commander]

Congrats, Sunny. You saw the green uppersides of the first one? If so, you may have shot a +1 for the Singapore Checklist! This looks like Arhopala eumolphus maxwelli. It definitely isn't Arhopala aurea, as that one has a short stubby tail. What you shot has a longer tail more consistent with A. eumolphus.

[Silverstreak]

Khew ,

Yes , saw its upper green forewings , last saw it on 10 Sept and went back to try my luck again.

It was its metallic green upper forewings that attracted my attention. So far, think I have encountered 3 different individuals, on 2 different visits on the localized spot. It is a strong flyer as compare to other arhopalas , and very skittish with a fairly wide safety distance.

Here is a shot of another guy, when in flight it flashes its green upper forewings.

[Commander]

Interesting... you know what to do next.

Species #280 in the making... need to move faster to put extra pressure on our farang up north to catch up.

[Peacock Royal]

Good catch and well done.

[richardlbong]

Well done Sunny, the China trip sure gave you an extra zest in getting your plus for your collections.
Richard

[Painted Jezebel]

Species #280 in the making... need to move faster to put extra pressure on our farang up north to catch up.

280? I thought you were only on 277! Damn, must try harder!

I agree entirely with SKs observation (unfortunately!!!!), that this specimen is not a species currently on the Singapore list.

[atronox]

Congrats, Sunny. You saw the green uppersides of the first one? If so, you may have shot a +1 for the Singapore Checklist! This looks like Arhopala eumolphus maxwelli. It definitely isn't Arhopala aurea, as that one has a short stubby tail. What you shot has a longer tail more consistent with A. eumolphus.

Agreed. Your "arhopala aurea" looks rounder.

[Silverstreak]

Interesting... you know what to do next.

Species #280 in the making... need to move faster to put extra pressure on our farang up north to catch up.

Les ,

If Butterfly Fairy smile at me again with a mating pair of the one I have been monitoring ( to be 100% sure) for many many months, we will have 281!

[Painted Jezebel]

Best of luck, Sunny. Knowing the different circumstances in Singapore, I won't hold my breath waiting for news.

277