Land of the Night Markets

[bluefin]

I was back in Taiwan with Ellen for a week in mid June. :)
This time round we were targeting for butterflies in higher elevation, between 2100M - 2800M.
With the help of 2 local butterfly enthusiast, we visited a few places. These places were quite far apart and from point to point, it takes about 2 - 4hrs of driving.
Most of the locations were remote and out of place and it is usually hit and miss as we are going for the rarer species.
Eventhough we were hit by bad weather and typhoon, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Our Taiwanese friends has shown us great hospitality and they were very knowledgeable and informative.
We are able to exchange ideas and share information about butterflies in our region and theirs as well as to banter and joke about anything and everything.

You can see some of the more common Taiwanese butterflies throughout the year while the rarer ones will only appear for a few weeks within the year.
So it can be a challenge to encounter all of them as they occurs at different time of the year.

Let's start off with these 2 cute little fellas..


台灣玄灰蝶 (台灣黑燕蝶) Tongeia hainani (Taiwan Black Cupid)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/9217705168_1e0c246e4d_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/9217565262_0eb5a41b6d_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/9215024617_80b31482aa_c.jpg



密點玄灰蝶 (霧社黑燕蝶)Tongeia filicaudis mushanus (Black Cupid)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/9217694752_14bbcd174b_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9217567303_93d49a67a2_c.jpg

[Cruiser]

nice shots Nelson, more pics pls. :-)

[moloch]

I agree, Ben. Those are lovely shots and I hope that many more are forthcoming.

[bluefin]

Thanks BenJin, David. :)


雙標紫斑蝶 (斯氏紫斑蝶) Euploea sylvester swinhoei (Double Branded Blue Crow)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/9214859429_bfe3d018fb_c.jpg



異紋紫斑蝶 (端紫斑蝶)Euploea mulciber barsine (Striped Blue Crow)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/9214863391_f095dac53b_c.jpg



絹斑蝶 (姬小紋青斑蝶) Parantica aglea maghaba (Glassy Tiger)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9215008169_6817ed1619_c.jpg



大絹斑蝶 (青斑蝶) Parantica sita niphonica (Chestnut Tiger)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/9214688213_4fc1042534_c.jpg



小紫斑蝶 Euploea tulliolus koxinga (Dwarf Crow)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/9217544860_5304a42bca_c.jpg

[Commander]

Lotsa Crows and Tigers up there in Taiwan too! Nice shots! :cheers:

[bluefin]

Lotsa Crows and Tigers up there in Taiwan too! Nice shots! :cheers:

Thanks Khew, Yep there are plenty of Crows and Tigers flying around.
They look very similar to those found in Singapore but I think they are of different sub species. :)

[bluefin]

翠鳳蝶 (烏鴉鳳蝶) 雄 Papilio bianor thrasymedes (Chinese Peacock)
There are a few types of Peacocks in Taiwan, I think these are the same ones.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/9217739938_08f407b5b1_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/9214970021_9f0c90bafa_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/9217737152_54851d08ba_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/9214945533_a5f8ecafd1_c.jpg



大鳳蝶 (美鳳蝶) Papilio memnon heronus (Great Mormon)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/9217625094_9c2e162c4c_c.jpg




大白紋鳳蝶 (台灣白紋鳳蝶) Papilio nephelus chaonulus (Yellow Helen)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/9217631922_a85ff7b9ec_c.jpg

[Silverstreak]

Beautiful shots, Ellen and Nelson !:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I must say, Nelson's PP skills is rubbing off onto Ellen ...........:thinking: or issit Nelson (the secretary) is doing all the processing !! :bsmile:

:chees:

[bluefin]

Beautiful shots, Ellen and Nelson !:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I must say, Nelson's PP skills is rubbing off onto Ellen ...........:thinking: or issit Nelson (the secretary) is doing all the processing !! :bsmile:

:chees:

CEO has its privileges.:nunu:

[bluefin]

Let's carry on with the Brownies.. :)


褐翅蔭眼蝶（永澤黃斑蔭蝶）Neope muirheadi nagasawae (Muirheadi Labyrinth)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9214882001_d17ee42c46_c.jpg




布氏蔭眼蝶（臺灣黃斑蔭蝶） Neope bremeri taiwana (Bremer's Labyrinth)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/9217534360_52a91f975b_c.jpg



黃斑蔭眼蝶（阿里山黃斑蔭蝶） Neope pulaha didia (Veined Labyrinth)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9214684183_02033a24ac_c.jpg



大幽眼蝶（白尾黑蔭蝶 ）Zophoessa dura neoclides (Scarce Lilacfork)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/9217552802_ae92660c35_c.jpg



山中波紋蛇目蝶 Ypthima conjuncta yamanakai (Conjunctive Five Ring)
According to the locals, this five ring is quite rare.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9214908205_4b90173f8d_c.jpg



圓翅幽眼蝶-(鹿野黑蔭蝶)-Zophoessa siderea kanoi (Sacred Woodbrown)
According to the local, this one is very rare.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/9217557290_83d05b1006_c.jpg

[bluefin]

This is one of the target and highlight of the trip, we woke up at around 5am in the morning to trek up a 4km mountain trail to
reach the mountain top early enough to have a higher chance to have a glimpse of this fella. As it is nearing the end
of their once a year appearance, we were lucky to manage a few shots of a not so pristine specimen. :grin2:


拉拉山鑽灰蝶-(拉拉山三尾小灰蝶) Horaga rarasana (Formosan Onyx)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9217674696_9fa6d99d4b_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/9217674092_9f71be1185_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/9214754939_a4b5064662_c.jpg

[Commander]

Well worth the sacrifices to nail this one, Nelson! :cheers:

[Painted Jezebel]

Quality of the specimen is not important. Quality of the species is. Superb. Thank you very, very much.

[Angiud]

Congratulations Nelson for the wonderful and unusual findings!

Wait for more

[Glorious Begum]

Great set Nelson. :cheers:

[bluefin]

Thanks Khew, Les, Antonio & LC. :)


:cheers:

[bluefin]

散紋盛蛺蝶（黃三線蝶）Symbrenthia lilaea formosaus (Common Jester)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/9237224823_631e90b7ae_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9214752983_b52d548cb7_c.jpg



Libythea lepita formosana or Libythea geoffroy philippina

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9214947679_3789b037a0_c.jpg



細邊琉灰蝶(埔里琉璃小灰蝶) Celastrina lavendularis himilcon (Plain Hedge Blue)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9217475766_dba57ec520_c.jpg



波灰蝶(姬波紋小灰蝶) Prosotas nora formosana (Common Lineblue)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/9214739689_c16be1eaf6_c.jpg



紫日灰蝶-(紅邊黃小灰蝶) Heliophorus ila matsumurae (Restricted Purple Sapphire)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/9237048619_4073b0b68a_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9237043045_6ea5f9a101_c.jpg



狹翅弄蝶 Isoteinon lamprospilus formosanus (Shiny Spotted Bob)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9240043356_75796a9104_c.jpg

[bluefin]

玉帶弄蝶 (白帶弄蝶) Daimio tethys niitakana

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/9217506230_ce8136e026_c.jpg


琉璃蛺蝶 Kaniska canace drilon (Blue Admiral)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/9214725365_aae0b418eb_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9217497342_b12e4ba93f_c.jpg



枯葉蝶 Kallima inachis formosana (Orange Oakleaf)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9214749383_c5e4566117_c.jpg



白鐮紋蛺蝶 (白鉤蛺蝶) Polygonia c-album asakurai (Comma Butterfly)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/9217489878_ed1c6a2924_c.jpg


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/9237040071_9f7eb8d065_c.jpg

[Angiud]

Love the c-comma, wonderful!

[moloch]

Beautiful shots, Nelson. I loved the Formosan Onyx. It is a good feeling when you do the research, the hard work and then are rewarded with a sighting and photo. The comma, admiral and really all the shots were tops as always!

Regards,
David

[bluefin]

Love the c-comma, wonderful!


Yep Antonio, it is an interesting one. Its shape and underside does resemble the Blue Admiral. :cheers:



Beautiful shots, Nelson. I loved the Formosan Onyx. It is a good feeling when you do the research, the hard work and then are rewarded with a sighting and photo. The comma, admiral and really all the shots were tops as always!



Thanks David, the Formosan Onyx is such a wonderful little fella. A delight to have encountered it. :cheers:

[bluefin]

A few more sets to wrap up the series. :)


紅斑脈蛺蝶 (紅星斑蛺蝶) Hestina assimilis formosana (Red Ring Skirt)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9214704891_ae21b642cc_c.jpg



黃斑蛺蝶 Sephisa chandra androdamas (Eastern Courtier)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/9217455568_c044050fec_c.jpg



小環蛺蝶（小三線蝶）雄 Neptis sappho formosana (Common Hill Sailor)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/9214990023_1c758db88b_c.jpg



雙色帶蛺蝶（臺灣單帶蛺蝶） Athyma cama zoroastres (Orange Staff Sergeant)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/9214690267_9156426fb4_c.jpg




殘眉線蛺蝶 (台灣星三線蝶) Limenitis sulpitia tricula (Five Dot Sergeant)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/9214746179_1254c746c4_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/9214894323_43e8221f40_c.jpg




串珠環蝶 Faunis eumeus wangi (Large Faun)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/9217570916_3d91ff8d0a_c.jpg

[bluefin]

紫俳蛺蝶(紫單帶蛺蝶) Parasarpa dudu jinamitra(White Commodore)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9246079485_f50876fdea_c.jpg



大紅蛺蝶 (紅蛺蝶) Vanessa indica (Indian Red Admiral)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/9215001231_3056d201bd_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/9217770214_0ab3532a28_c.jpg



台灣綠蛺蝶-Euthalia formosana (Formosan Duke)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/9214785399_e21b897799_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9214924355_e192f6887d_c.jpg



甲仙綠蛺蝶-Euthalia kosempona (Kosempo Duke)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/9214718419_7bcd6d3900_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9217661544_df28c45ff2_c.jpg

[bluefin]

Finally a Delias for Les. :grin2:

The Delias and the Aporia looks so alike in the field that it is quite difficult to differentiate.


黃裙豔粉蝶-(韋氏麻斑粉蝶) Delias berinda wilemani (Dark Jezebael)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9217449692_8fb57253fc_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/9217446266_ce61c4318c_c.jpg




流星絹粉蝶-(高山粉蝶) Aporia agathon moltrechti (Great Black-veined White)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9217513208_8e6c57f033_c.jpg


And lastly, to the Lycaenidae where the locals are so enthusiastic about. We only have 2 to show. We would have hoped for more but this gives us another reason to go back again. These are the Lamborghinis which are hard to capture and stayed high up on the trees on most occasions



褐翅青灰蝶-(褐底青小灰蝶) Tajuria caeruela (Formosan Royal)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9217651170_63c7f2df1e_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/9214692057_7ff99ba2f7_c.jpg



碧翠灰蝶 (江崎綠小灰蝶) Chrysozephyrus esakii (Esaki's Hairstreak)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/9214705291_6fe6afbe3f_c.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/9214705809_b1106af640_c.jpg

[Angiud]

W o w ;p

[Painted Jezebel]

Finally a Delias for Les. :grin2:



Thanks very much, Nelson.

There are two Delias of the belladonna group found in Taiwan, the other being D. lativitta formosana. Fortunately, you have managed an upperside, which confirms your id, as it shows a large yellow spot on the hindwing between the submarginal and discal spots in space 2.

However, I was not aware that this had been downgraded to a ssp. of D. berinda. I still have this as Delias wilemani, but I am rather out of date with current thinking.

Aporia sp. can, at first glance, look very similar, but they can be differentiated by the much rounder forewings.

[moloch]

Such beauties, Nelson. I really enjoyed the photos of these. I think that the Delias and Aporia were my favourites but they all were very nice.

Regards,
David

[Bluebottle]

Not a bad trip lah! Certainly better than what you described :)
Beautiful shots, btw :thumbsup:

[Great Mormon]

Amazing collection Nelson!

[bluefin]

W o w ;p

Let's go Taiwan, Antonio. :grin2:




Thanks very much, Nelson.

There are two Delias of the belladonna group found in Taiwan, the other being D. lativitta formosana. Fortunately, you have managed an upperside, which confirms your id, as it shows a large yellow spot on the hindwing between the submarginal and discal spots in space 2.

However, I was not aware that this had been downgraded to a ssp. of D. berinda. I still have this as Delias wilemani, but I am rather out of date with current thinking.

Aporia sp. can, at first glance, look very similar, but they can be differentiated by the much rounder forewings.

Thanks Les for the differentiating the Delias and Aporia :cheers:

[bluefin]

Such beauties, Nelson. I really enjoyed the photos of these. I think that the Delias and Aporia were my favourites but they all were very nice.

Regards,
David

Thanks David, glad that you enjoyed the photos. :)


Not a bad trip lah! Certainly better than what you described :)
Beautiful shots, btw :thumbsup:

Thanks Loke, juz an average trip, I would have expected more if not for the weather. :)


Amazing collection Nelson!

Thanks Ant. :cheers:

[Glorious Begum]

Going... only have 1 day free. :-(

[bluefin]

Going... only have 1 day free. :-(

One day also shiok mah. :)

Maybe can still find the Lantern Bug in the Park that I have told you.

:cheers:


渡邊氏長吻白蠟蟲 Pyrops watanabei

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9276406498_5493b84dce_c.jpg


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/9273610169_48aa729f20_c.jpg


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/9276398056_8f39e12d00_c.jpg