Wall (Lasiommata megera)

OTHER NAMES: Wall Brown

Latin Etymology: Lasiommata ("hairy eyes") megera (named after one of the Erinyes)

Adult Wall (subspecies L. m. megera) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Lasiommata megera megera
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 44-46mm
UK Status: Near Threatened / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Wall is widespread throughout Europe and Asia and found in a wide variety of habitats, it seems to be found in heath and moor sorts of habitats, along with a selection of others.  A fairly large butterfly, the number of eyespots on it is quite distinctive.  It's name comes from it's habit of basking on hard surfaces like walls.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Lasiommata
SUBSPECIES: L. m. megera, L. m. vividissima, L. m. megerina, L. m. transcaspica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A localised resident.

 - Seen on Trevose Head

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Callophrys (Beautiful eyebrows) rubi ("bramble")

Adult Green Hairstreak (subspecies C. r. rubi) at Cliffe Pools, Kent - March 2014

Featured Subspecies: Callophyys rubi rubi

Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 28mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Green Hairstreak is a very attractive butterfly, most obviously distinct from the fact that its underwings are a vivid green.  It is found on Bird's foot trefoil but will rest upon small shrubs to sun itself, such as small hawthorn bushes.  It never opens its wings while resting as the green colour is part of its camoflage.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Callophrys 
SUBSPECIES: C. r. rubi, C. r. fervida, C. r. borealis, C. r. sibirica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A localised resident

 - Seen in Geddington, Cliffe Pools and Brigstock, 

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

OTHER NAMES: Dingy Grass-Skipper

Latin Etymology: Erynnis (?) tages (after an Etruscan deity)

Adult Dingy Skipper (subspecies E. t. tages) at Brigstock, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Erynnis tages tages
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 29mm
UK Status: Vulnerable / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The skippers are a family of Butterflies which to the untrained may resemble moths, and the Dingy Skipper more than most due to its very drab appearances.  It is in decline in the UK and its distribution is wide but in patches rather than continuous.  They feed largely on Bird's-foot trefoil.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Erynnis
SUBSPECIES: E. t. tages, E. t. baynesi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen at sites including Brigstock

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

OTHER NAMES: Cosmopolitan, Thistle Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Vanessa (from an Ancient Greek deity) cardui ("wild thistle" or "artichoke")

Adult Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 50mm
UK Status: Least Concern / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Painted Lady is an unusual butterfly for the UK in that it is a long distance migrant, amazingly travelling to the Mediterranean and North Africa and back again.  It is a fairly attractive species, and tends to be widely if sparsely distributed, with some years being big influx years.  They are a very widely distributed species found on most continents.

 Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Vanessa
SUBSPECIES: N/A

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common Summer migrant species

 - Seen in Geddington and Trevose Head

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

OTHER NAMES: The Grizzle, Mr Dandridge's Dark Fritillary, Spotted Skipper

Latin Etymology: Pyrgus (?) malvae ("mallow plant")

Adult Grizzled Skipper (subspecies P. m. malvae) at Geddington, Northants - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Pyrgus malvae malvae
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 22-26mm
UK Status: Vulnerable / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Grizzled Skipper is another of the Moth-like Skipper families, and while slightly more patterned than the dingy skipper is another fairly drab species.  It is fairly small species, found in the same habitat as Dingy skipper upon Birdsfoot Trefoil.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Pyrgus
SUBSPECIES: P. m. kauffmanni, P. m. malvoides, P. m. modestior

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local resident

 - Seen in Brigstock and numerous other sites 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto  .

Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Euploea (?) mulciber (an alternate name for Hephaestus/Vulcan)

Adult male Striped Blue Crow (subspecies E. m. mulciber) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Euploea mulciber mulciber
Wingspan: 80-90mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large species of butterflies from the brush-footed butterfly family and the most common species of it's family in Singapore and presumably Malaysia by extension.  It has a wide number of host plants and can be found in varied habitats.  As a catepillar it uses its silk to secure parts of the leaves together so it can eat parts of the leaves further on from where it has already eaten.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Euploea
SUBSPECIES: E. m. awayuki, E. m. azagra, E. m. babina, E. m. barsine, E. m. basilissa, E. m. batunensis, E. m. cebuensis, E. m. bazilana, E. m. claudia, E. m. dinagatensis, E. m. donada, E. m. dongo, E. m. duarseri, E. m. dufresne, E. m. elwesii, E. m. gelderi, E. m. kalinga, E. m. kochi, E. m. maassi, E. m. malakoni, E. m. masbatensis, E. m. mindanensis, E. m. mulciber, E. m. paupera, E. m. phoebadis, E. m. portia, E. m. semperi, E. m. seraphita, E. m. subvisaya, E. m. ticoana, E. m. triggia, E. m. vandeventeri, E. m. verhuelli, E. m. visaya  

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A widespread but local resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)

OTHER NAMES: Large Skipper Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Ochlodes (?) sylvanus ("woods")

Adult female Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) at Geddington, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Wingspan: 29-36mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

As the name suggests, the largest of the species of skipper found in the UK.  It is differentiated from the Small and Essex Skippers by the slight patterning on the wings.  This species is currently extending it's range Northwards.  They often perch on prominant leaves in a sunny position at the edge of taller and shorter vegetation.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Hesperiidae 
Genus: Thymelicus 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdGuides,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Magpie Crow (Euploea radamanthus)

OTHER NAMES: Oriental Magpie Crow

Latin Etymology: Euploea (?) radamanthus (?)

Adult Magpie Crow (subspecies E. r. radamanthus) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Euploea radamanthus radamanthus
Wingspan: 70-80mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large species that was fairly numerous in Genting Highlands, it is a member of the family of the Crow and Tiger butterflies which are typically black butterflies with white markings.  The family as a whole is often poisonous, due to their consumption of toxic plants while still in the caterpillar stage.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Euploea
SUBSPECIES: E. r. addenda, E. r. niasica, E. r. radamanthus, E. r. schreiberi

 - Sighting Locations -
MALAYSIA - Malay - ?
A widespread but local resident.
 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Cycad Blue (Chilades pandava)

OTHER NAMES: Plains Cupid

Latin Etymology: Chilades (?) pandava (?)

Adult Cycad Blue (subspecies C. p. pandava) at Kuala Lumpur - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Chilades pandava pandava
Wingspan: 25-30mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A small blue butterfly found in India and South-East Asia, it is one one of the few species of butterfly to breed on cycads.  It has subtle distinctive appearances for the broods from wet or dry seasons.  Seemingly a very robust species in terms of human disturbance, I found them in a heavily managed parkland in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Chilades
SUBSPECIES: C. p. pandava, C. p. vapanda, C. p. lanka

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A fairly common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: A several seen in Kuala Lumpur

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)

OTHER NAMES: Common Mormon Butterfly

Latin Etymology: Papilio ("butterfly") polytes (?)

Adult male and female Common Mornon (subspecies P. p. polytes) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Papilio polytes polytes
Wingspan: 90-100mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large black coloured member of the Swallowtail family found throughout Southern Asia, the Common Mormon is a notable mimic of other species - specifically of the inedible species the Common Rose and Crimson Rose to prevent it's own predation.  It is a common species found in urban habitats.

Related Species: 
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
SUBSPECIES: P. p. alcindor, P. p. alphenor, P. p. javanus, P. p. ledebouria, P. p. liujidongi, P. p. mandane, P. p. messius, P. p. nicanor, P. p. nikobarus, P. p. pasikrates, P. p. perversus, P. p. polycritos, P. p. polytes, P. p. romulus, P. p. sotira, P. p. steffi, P. p. stichioides, P. p. theseus, P. p. timorensis, P. p. tucanus, P. p. vigellius

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - ?

Common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Seen regularly in Kuala Lumpur, though intermittently. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia)

OTHER NAMES: Brown Pansy, Chocolate Soldier

Latin Etymology: Junonia (?) hedonia (?)

Adult Chocolate Pansy (subspecies J. h. ida) at Genting Highlands, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Junonia hedonia ida
Wingspan: 60mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Chocolate Pansy is a widespread species found throughout much of Southern Asia and Australia, found in many habitats - their two main foodplants as larvae are members of the acanthus family that are common plants across the region.  They often bask on low to the ground plants.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Junonia
SUBSPECIES: J. p. admiralitatis, J. h. apollonia, J. h. hedonia, J. h. hondai, J. h. ida, J. h. intermedia, J. h. iwasakii, J. h. kangeana, J. h. numana, J. h. parvipuncta, J. h. pseudiphita, J. h. seitzi, J. h. teurnia, J. h. thero, J. h. zelima

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - ?

A common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Genting Highlands

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya)

OTHER NAMES: Eyed Pansy, Blue Argus

Latin Etymology: Junonia ("peacock") orithya (name of a Princess from Greek Myth)

Adult Blue Pansy (subspecies J. o. wallacei) at Lower Pierce Reservoir, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Junonia orithya wallacei
Wingspan: 45-55mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The Blue Pansy is a widespread species found across three continents - Australia, Africa and Asia. It has a very distinctive set of colours which should make identifying it easy, although it varies quite dramatically across the subspecies in terms of what the exact balance of the colours are.  It has a wide variety of food plants throughout it's range.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Junonia
SUBSPECIES: J. o. albicincta, J. o. baweana, J. o. celebensis, J. o. eutychia, J. o. hainanensis, J. o. here, J. o. kontinentalis, J. o. kuehni, J. o. leucasia, J. o. madagascariensis, J. o. marcella, J. o. metion, J. o. mevaria, J. o. mingagara, J. o. minusculus, J. o. neopommerana, J. o. novaguineae, J. o. ocyale, J. o. orithya, J. o. orthosia, J. o. palea, J. o. patenas, J. o. saleyra, J. o. samatrana, J. o. swinhoei, J. o. wallacei

  - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A widespread but local resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen at Genting Highlands

SINGAPORE - A reasonably common resident.

 - SINGAPORE/CAMBODIA 2019 TRIP: Single individual at Lower Pierce Reservoir.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Cardinal (Argynnis pandora)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Argynnis (epithet of Aphrodite) pandora (after the mythological figure)

Adult Cardinal (subspecies A. p. pandora) at Patones, Spain - April 2015

Featured Subspecies: Argynnis pandora pandora
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 64-80mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The Cardinal is a large fritillary found around the Mediterranean and Central Asia, and in Europe at least one of the larger butterfly species within its range.  It's larvae feeds on viola species, and it seemed to be reasonably numerous in the hilly region near Madrid we saw it in, though it rarely stopped long enough to take photos of it.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Argynnis
Subspecies: A. p. chrysobarylla, A. p. cyrenea, A. p. pasargades, A. p. wedekindi, A. p. pandora

- Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Pandora

Locally common resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen at Patones

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Horsfield's Baron (Tanaecia iapis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tanaecia ("praise worthy"?) iapis ("healer"?)

Adult female Horsfield's Baron (subspecies T. a. puseda) at Lower Pierce Reservoir, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: Tanaecia iapis puseda
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 6.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A very highly sexually dimorphic species - the male is broadly two single blocks of colour - black and pale blue, while the female as seen in the picutre above is a subdued mottled arrangement of browns, oranged and creams somewhat resembling the colours of dead leaves.  The species is named for Thomas Horsfield, an American Naturalist who was friends with Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, noted founder of colonial Singapore.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae 
Genus: Tanaecia
SUBSPECIES: T. i. puseda, presumably more? 

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: One seen around Lower Pierce Reservoir 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Zizina (?) otis (?)

Adult Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis - subspecies unknown) at Ang Mo Kio, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: unclear
Weight: ?  /  Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 1.8-2cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A tiny butterfly species that is the most common of the grass blue species in Singapore - it lacks the distinctive underwing markings of the other species, which are fairly faint in this species.  An intriguing case in some ways - although like all butterflies it flies, it rarely goes higher than a few centimetres off the ground, making it a far more subtle presence than most butterflies.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Zizina
SUBSPECIES: Z. o. annetta, Z. o. aruensis, Z. o. caduca, Z. o. indica, Z. o. kuli, Z. o. lampa, Z. o. lampra, Z. o. luculenta, Z. o. mangoensis, Z. o. oblongata, Z. o. oriens, Z. o. otis, Z. o. oxleyi, Z. o. parasangra, Z. o. riukuensis, Z. o. sangra, Z. o. soeriomataram, Z. o. tanagra

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - Common resident

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Several seen at Ang Mo Kio

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .