THERE are an estimated 1,200 species of butterflies
in Malaysia, in the Peninsula as well as Sabah and
Sarawak. Of this number, I believe I have
photographed just over 200 of the more commonly
encountered species. Photographing butterflies is a
hobby that I took up nearly 20 years ago. My
movements are now somewhat restricted by my health
condition but I still indulge in nature photography
whenever "easy opportunities" present themselves.
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Family Papilionidae
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The Red Helen (Papilio helenus) is a
large, showy species which flies in open forest country near
streams or waterfalls. Like the other papilionids, the males
can be seen drinking at seepages or on riverbanks, either
singly or accompanied by several other specimens, or even
other species. |
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The Common Mormon (Papilio polytes) is
found near gardens and villages where Citrus (e.g.
lime, lemon, kumquats) is grown. The female occurs in two
forms in Peninsular Malaysia: form cyrus which looks
like the male, and form polytes which looks like the
Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae). |
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The Great Mormon (Papilio memnon) is one
of the most interesting butterfly species because of
polymorphism of the female, which may be tailed or tailless.
Only one true form of the male is recognised. The specimen
shown here is an abberrant male which resembles the female
form ityla. |
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The Common Mime (Chilasa clytia) occurs in
several forms that mimic danainine (milkweed) butterflies.
This is form dissimilis which mimics species of
Ideopsis, Parantica and Tirumala. The larvae feed on the
leaves of "wild cinnamon" (Cinnamomum) which is
cultivated as a roadside tree to provide shade. |
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The Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon), with
apple-green spots on speckled brown ground and "stubby
tails", has a distinctive appearance. It is also known as
the Green-spotted Triangle and Tailed Green Jay. Like other
papilionids, the males of this species can be seen drinking
at seepages. |
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The Fivebar Swordtail (Pathysa antiphates)
is another butterfly with a "remarkable" appearance; it has
a long, slender, tapering projection from each hindwing
which looks like a sword. In Peninsular Malaysia, this
species is usually found in the forested lowlands. |
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The Green Dragontail (Lamproptera meges) looks
like a dragonfly when it is flying. Its wings beat so
rapidly that they appear as a blue haze. The
partly-transparent wings and long, drooping tails give it an
appearance unlike that of other butterflies, except the
White Dragontail (Lamproptera curius). |
Family Pieridae
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The Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete) frequents
open woods and green patches, sometimes venturing into
gardens. Its bright colours and slow flight serve to
warn predators that it is potentially poisonous. It is
attracted to nectar-bearing flowers, especially those of
the Indian cherry tree. |
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The Redspot Sawtooth (Prioneris philonome)
is a forest species which is usually encountered in open
spaces near water courses. It may be seen drinking at
seepages together with other pierids and papilionids. It
resembles the Painted Jezebel, but it may not be a mimic
of that species. |
Nymphalidae (Danainae)
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The Common Tiger (Danaus genutia)
looks like the
Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) except that
its veins are marked with black. These two milkweed
butterflies are related to the Monarch (Danaus
plexippus) which is renowned for its annual marathon
migratory flight. |
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The Chocolate Tiger (Parantica melaneus)
is a forest species which is found in north India and
Myanmar to Indochina and Sundaland. Although this
butterfly is common, little is known about its early
stages. |
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The Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris)
is a common "milkweed butterfly" found throughout
Peninsular Malaysia and is believed to be the one of the
species mimicked by the Common Mime (Chilasa clytia).
It is usually encountered at the edge of forests or
plantations and also in the countryside. |
Nymphalidae (Morphinae)
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Faunis gracilis (common name n.a.) may be
seen flying just above the ground in the forest, or
sitting on leaf litter and low shrubs. It lives in the
same type of habitat ~ well-shaded and somewhat dense
undergrowth ~ as the closely related Common Faun (Faunis
canens). |
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The Tufted Jungle King (Thauria aliris)
is a large forest butterfly. When settled on the forest
floor, its wing markings enable it to blend in with the
leaf litter. On its upperside, prominent white stripes
across the front wings "flash" to startle any
approaching predator as the butterfly takes flight. |
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The Banded Yeoman (Cirrochroa orissa)
is the commonest species of Cirrochroa, of which
there are six, in Peninsular Malaysia. It also occurs in
Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. The life history
of this forest butterfly is still unknown. |
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The Malay Lacewing (Cethosia hypsea)
is one of the several Lacewing butterflies found in
Malaysia. The fine, serrated pattern along the edge of
their wings together with a combination of red, orange,
brown or white colours make them very attractive
butterflies. |
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The Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana) is
a common yet beautiful species which is found in open
country and gardens. It is one of the butterfly species
that can be found in suburban areas. The eye-spots on
the wings remind one of the markings on peacock
feathers. |
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The Wavy Maplet (Chersonesia rahria)
is a small butterfly (compare its size with a blade of
grass) which settles with wings outspread. It is a
forest butterfly with a feeble flight. But when
frightened, it is capable of soaring quite rapidly to
take refuge in the safety of tree branches. |
Lycaenidae (Riodininae)
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The Harlequin (Taxila haquinus) is a
medium-sized metalmark that inhabits well-wooded areas
and may be encountered along forest trails. Formerly
classified under the family Riodinidae, the metalmarks
are now placed as a subfamily of Lycaenidae (with the
blues, coppers and hairstreaks). |
Lycaenidae (Lycaeninae)
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The Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis)
is a striking, little butterfly with bright orange
forewings and rather long projections on the hindwings
that look like tails. This species can be found in
primary and secondary forests, and is quite often
encountered along forest trails. |
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The Common Imperial (Cheritra freja), like
the Branded Imperial, has hindwing projections that look
like long tails, and may also be found in primary and
secondary forests. This specimen was photographed while
it settled momentarily on a flower bud of the Simpoh
tree (Dillenia). |
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The Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra) is
a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 3cm to 3.5cm
(slightly more than an inch). It has a swift, darting
flight. Like the three lycaenid species described above,
it can be found in primary and secondary forest, and is
usually seen along forest trails. |
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Chliaria othona (common name n.a.) has
filament-like “tails” and spots on the hindwings. These
resemble antennae and eyes that “trick” predators into
thinking that part of the butterfly is the head. Should
the predator strike at it, only the hindwings would be
damaged, leaving vital organs unharmed. |
Family Hesperiidae
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A medium-size skipper,
the Dark Yellow-banded Flat (Celaenorrhinus
aurivittatus) has a wingspan of about 4.5cm
(less than two inches). This species settles with wings
open, usually on the underside of a leaf. I found this
one on the top of a leaf; it would have been difficult
to photograph if it was underneath. |
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Plastingia naga (common name n.a.) is a small
skipper with striking wing markings, i.e. light-coloured
streaks set against a dark ground colour. It is not
common. Although this species has a fairly wide
distribution, I have only encountered it twice. |
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