Butterflying in Malaysia 5 - Sungei Sedim, Kedah

On 28 June, after about an hour of smooth driving from our hotel, De Gardens at Butterworth, we arrived at the Sungai Sedim Eco Forest Park in the Kedah state just before 9 am.  After paying the entrance fees to this park (RM2 per person), we started strolling along the paths in front of some apparently abandoned chalets.

Before 10 am, we hardly saw any butterflies but we did find a few caterpillars of the Malayan Birdwing (Troides amphrysus ruficollis), mostly on the undersides of some Thottea leaves.  Thottea is a genus of flowering plants in the Aristolochiaceae family. 

We also found a pupa.

We spotted a few adults flying around but getting a good shot was not easy.

There is a tree-top walk in this park - the entrance fees is RM6 for a senior citizen.

We saw a female White-tipped Baron (Euthalia merta) basking under the morning sun.

Butterfly activities were generally low especially in the forested areas before noon. But  once the forest was heated up, we could see more butterflies after noon.

We saw a Glorius Begum (Agatasa calydonia) flying along a forested path, looking for a puddling spot. 

This is the Plush (Sithon nedymond nedymond), a skittish fellow that didn't allow me to have more shots.

This is the Gem Demons (Ancistroides gemmifer), another alert and active skipper that disappeared very quickly.

I spotted this Striped Green Palmer (Pirdana hyela rudolphii) from far. But it scooted off after I took a record shot. We were fortunate to take a few shots at this rather pristine specimen when it landed a few meters away.

Occasionally, we also checked out the sandy patches along the river banks. Amongst the common puddling butterflies such as the Common Blue Bottle which I usually ignored them but not when a pristine and elegant Jeweled Nawab (Polyura delphis concha) appeared.

 In the late afternoon after a short passing rain, we were lucky to spot this puddling Malayan Jungle Glory (Thaumantis odana pishuna).  

This White Four-line Blue (Nacaduba angusta) was puddling on a concrete slab not far away from the river bank.

In the late afternoon before called it a day, this Malay Red Harlequin (Paralaxita damajanti) flew past me and landed on a leaf for some split seconds. 

On 29 June, we decided to come to Sungai Sedim Eco Forest Park again to meet up with Liew. I was indeed honoured to meet him for the first time. 

The Striped Ringlet (Ragadia makuta siponata) was fluttering along the forest edge. 

This is female Malay Baron (Euthalia monina)

We encountered a few Arhopala species during out 2-day outing here . This is Arhopala sublustris. 

According to Dr Seow from BC, this is Arhopala aedias as the rounded and loose post-discal spots are characteristics of this species.

Arhopala metamuta with a glimps of its uppersides

I am not sure what this Arhopala species is.

Thanks to SC who spotted this beautiful lantern bug.

Butterflying in Malaysia 4 - Junjong Recreation Park, Kedah

I met up with SC at the De Garden Hotel in Butterworth on 27 June. About an hour drive in the North-south towards the Kulim direction, we arrived at the Junjong Recreational Park, in Kedah state. Perhaps it was a Friday morning, we didn't see many visitors at the waterfall.

We strolled along a dirt road leading to a private durian plantation as we noticed a few pickups driving past us with baskets of durians.  

Along the way, we did see some common butterflies on a fine morning. This is the Common Bushbrown (Telinga janardana) 

This rather skittish Fulvous Pied Flat (Pseudocoladenia dan) was feeding on the Snakeweeds flowers.

It changed its perches frequently.

A  Jamides species was fluttering along the dirt road. When it decided to perch on a leaf, we quickly took a few shots. Dr Seow from Butterfly Circle identified it as the J. alecto  based on the following features: 
1 FW postdiscal band dislocated at vein 6.

2. FW without costal dashes (forming spots)
3. FW lower white striae thick.
4. HW innermost band dislocated. 

The butterfly activities were low but with patience we did spot some skippers - a Common Red Eye (Matapa aria) was resting at a distance away from me.

At noon time, I was having a short lunch break in a shelter.  I saw another Jamidies puddling on bird droppings.  

I was lucky to capture its uppersides when it scooted off by the camera flashlight.

Dr Seow identified this as Jamides ferrari based on the features:

1. FW postdiscal band slightly dislocated at vein 6.
2. FW without costal dashes /spot.
3. HW innermost band not dislocated or barely so.

This Euploea camaralzeman malayica (The Malayan Crow) was fluttering around the shelter.

Another shot

This damselfly was taking an afternoon nap.

A kind of planthopper which was well camouflaged by the tree trunk.

After snapping some quick shots of this Loxura atymnus fuconius (Yamfly) due to poor butterfly activity, we decided to head towards the Bukit Mertajam Recreation Forest Park.
But the weather was cloudy there and we ended up having an afternoon tea under some big trees with intermittent nice breeze - a different and nice experience.