Back to Fraser’s Hill - 3rd time lucky – Part II

Continue from Part I

We did not have the best of weather this trip as the sky was cloudy most of time. However, we still managed to see many lovely butterflies which sprang into action every time the sun made a brief appearance.

1. Abisara neophron chelina – this species is confined to the highland and is common at Fraser’s Hill.

2. Abisara savitri savitri – This is found at lowland and is the species we have in Singapore. This one was photographed at 600m.

3. Dichorragia nesimachus deiokes (The Constable) – this lovely Nymphalid only stayed for less than a minute before disappearing back into the forest.

4. Papilio demolion demolion (Banded Swallowtail) – A common swallowtail at the foothill of Fraser’s hill.

5. Troides brookiana albescens (Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing)
This is the national butterfly of Malaysia and is also the most beautiful butterfly in Malaysia. I have seen this butterfly countless time and yet every time it make its appearance I will instinctively pause to admire its graceful flight and its lovely electric-green over velvety black wings.

Back to Fraser’s Hill - 3rd time lucky – Part I

This is my third trip to Fraser’s Hill and I have 3 lifer !

The first is a small white inconspicuous lycaenid. I was trailing an Abisara savitri when I noticed a tiny white ‘moth’ flew out form under a leaf. It has a weak moth-like flight and is about the size of a Lesser Grass Blue butterfly. I ignored it and continued to photograph the Abisara. The white moth then landed in front of me and I noticed it has clubbed antenna. It is not a moth ! I quickly snap a few shots and it turned out to be an uncommon lycaenid – Takara mahanetra.

Takara mahanetra

My 2nd lifer was observed in the most unlikely place, inside Puncak Inn. It was in the evening and we were at Puncak Inn having our lemon tea when I noticed 2 butterflies trapped under the glass roof. Both were Arhopala but one looks interesting.

I borrowed Jee Kin’s camera which has the Tamron 180 on it, and took a few shots. It turned out to be another lifer for me ! It is Arhopala paraganesa mendava. According to book ‘Butterfly of Malay Peninsula’, this species is rare and confined to montane. This individual was recorded at 1000m.

Arhopala paraganesa mendava

I encountered my 3rd lifer while we were checking out a road leading to an Orang Asli settlement. We saw a few small lycaenids fluttering under a cluster of bamboo leaves.

On closer examination, we recognized the lycaenid as Miletus sp. The female were laying eggs where there were cluster of ants.

Miletus gallus gallus

The lycaenid was later identified as Miletus gallus gallus.