Archive for 'Nymphalidae'

Mimic (Hypolimnas misippus)

Mimic (Hypolimnas misippus)

A very busy male of the species, rarely resting for long, so this was my only opportunity and shot of this species at this location. During my 7 day stay here I did not encounter it at any other locations.

Bicyclus anynana socotrana

Bicyclus anynana socotrana

A bird has likely tried to eat it, and thus a part of the hind wing was lost. This was only one of the species I encountered, so this imperfect specimen must do.

Glass-Tip Acraea (Acraea neobule socotrana)

Glass-Tip Acraea (Acraea neobule socotrana)

There are many species of butterflies on Socotra, and in some areas you can see many of them if there are plenty of plants in bloom. At higher elevations – about 800 meters and higher, the euryops arabicus thrives, so when in bloom the butterflies have a lot of food from the thousands of flowers. […]

Pierella lena

Pierella lena

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when they rest on leaf litter. Thanks to Kim Garwood for ID confirmation.

Blue-banded Morpho (Morpho achilles)

Blue-banded Morpho (Morpho achilles)

Morphos are mesmerizing! In flight you see the flash of blue, but when they sit they’re invisible as they almost never open the wings and the underside is like the surroundings of its environment – the dark and dappled forest floor. This individual is old and torn, perhaps somewhat confused as it’s sitting with open […]

Queen (Danaus gilippus)

Queen (Danaus gilippus)

A truly amazing butterfly, and as I recall the only one of the species I encountered here at SouthWild Pantanal. Here it’s visiting a plant growing alongside the SouthWild Pantanal’s dirt road – just a couple of hundred metres away from the buildings.

Thoasa Sister (Adelpha thoasa)

Thoasa Sister (Adelpha thoasa)

Another species in the Adelpha genus! Some are very hard to identify as the patterns look very similar, but this of the easy ones. I encountered it as I was photographing the many wonderful flower species in bloom here at Southwild Pantanal.

Julia (Dryas iulia)

Julia (Dryas iulia)

This butterfly turned up as I was photographing flowers alongside one of the trails around SouthWild Pantanal.

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the only way to get a decent shot. The name cracker is based on the […]

Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the only way to get a decent shot. The name cracker is based on the […]

Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)

Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. This however is my first of this particular species, and is a real beauty. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the […]

Flamingo Leafwing (Fountainea ryphea phidile)

Flamingo Leafwing (Fountainea ryphea phidile)

On the many sandbanks I encountered lots of butterflies. Some not so easy to see when sitting on the ground like this. Here it’s sucking up minerals from capybara dung. Only when this species is flying you’ll see the beautiful colors on the upper side. Several species of butterflies simply refuse to open wings when […]

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)

On the many sandbanks I encountered lots of butterflies. Some not so easy to see when sitting on the ground like this. Here it’s sucking up minerals from capybara dung. Only when this species is flying you’ll see the beautiful colors on the upper side. Several species of butterflies simply refuse to open wings when […]

Gulf fritillary (Dione vanillae)

Gulf fritillary (Dione vanillae)

During my visit I saw many species of butterflies on the many sandbanks. Capybaras and other mammals leave behind body fluids, feces and urine that attract butterflies and many other insects seeking salts and minerals. When the sandbanks become submerged this is no longer so easily accessible.

Juno Longwing (Dione juno)

Juno Longwing (Dione juno)

During my journeys on the rivers I saw many species of butterflies on the sandbanks. Capybaras and other mammals leave behind body fluids, feces and urine that attract butterflies and many other insects seeking salts and minerals. When the sandbanks become submerged this is no longer so easily accessible.

Wallace’s Longwing (Heliconius wallacei)

Wallace’s Longwing (Heliconius wallacei)

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. Thanks to Kim Garwood for assistance. She adds: “Yes, your H. wallacei is correct, based on your ventral, solid red lines […]

Heliconius sp

Heliconius sp

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. I’ve been unable to identify this one as I’ve not found any resources with images that has the greenish spot with […]

Annulata Beauty (Colobura annulata)

Annulata Beauty (Colobura annulata)

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one.

Ortilia gentina

Ortilia gentina

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. All small in size and from a distance seemingly inconspicuous. Up close it’s simply incredible beauty.

Orsilochus Daggerwing (Marpesia orsilochus)

Orsilochus Daggerwing (Marpesia orsilochus)

This individual was seemingly quite territorial, as I found it either on the ground or on the vegetation in the same area every day – just where the lower path to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Lodge begin. During my stay I found several butterfly hotspots around the buildings, but there were few places […]

Tiger Crescent (Eresia eunice)

Tiger Crescent (Eresia eunice)

Every day I enjoyed the many butterflies around my room, and this was the only of this species I encountered during my stay. Also called Eunice Crescent. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Every day I enjoyed the many butterflies around my room and I was hoping this one would close its wings, as this species is more about open wings than closing them when on the ground. For a brief moment it did close the wings so I could see the underside.

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena peruviana)

One of several species diaethria found around Cristalino Jungle Lodge. This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species.

Lavinia Emperor (Doxocopa lavinia)

Lavinia Emperor (Doxocopa lavinia)

The doxocopas look very similar to the adelphas out in the field, but when you see one with this amazing blue iridescence there are much less to choose from. This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species. Luckily there […]

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of the upperside of the wings (dorsal), but the ventral (underside) is good enough for now. When observing a butterfly “hotspot” like this location, there are so many individuals I assume is the same species, and it’s hard to keep track of where each individual is moving […]

Linda Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

Linda Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

The doxocopas look very similar to the adelphas out in the field, as well as during identification at home. It’s like seeing the difference of two QR codes or barcodes! This is why I try to first of all determine how many individuals are in one location, and then to photograph each one for some […]

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

I had a hard time identifying this one, as all the photos available showed narrower black bands and white at the confluence of the numbers in contrast to black on mine. It appears that all races of clymena have a considerable variation! Thanks to Adrian Hoskins for identification clarification.

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. disturbed by my slow movements. This […]

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. This particular location is the “shipyard” […]

Amazon Beauty (Baeotus aeilus)

Amazon Beauty (Baeotus aeilus)

This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species. Luckily there were very few guest at the time I was at this hotspot, so the butterflies were more or less only disturbed by my slow movements. Many butterfly species, including […]

West Indian Buckeye (Junonia evarete)

West Indian Buckeye (Junonia evarete)

Old and worn out, but still in good health as it was by no means sitting still when I repeatedly approached. Location was near one of the many dwindling pools of water.

White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)

White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae)

This was one of few species of butterflies I encountered in the fields of Pousada Xaraés.

Salpensa Sailor (Dynamine tithia salpensa)

Salpensa Sailor (Dynamine tithia salpensa)

There is a 9 km long trail (Poco Preto trail) from the main road that leads to the Iguaçu river, and for me it was butterfly heaven as I saw so many different species and in places also in groups. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Ithra Crescent (Ortilia ithra)

Ithra Crescent (Ortilia ithra)

There is a 9 km long trail (Poco Preto trail) from the main road that leads to the Iguaçu river, and for me it was butterfly heaven as I saw so many different species and in places also in groups. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Lansdorf’s Crescent (Eresia lansdorfi)

Lansdorf’s Crescent (Eresia lansdorfi)

There is a 9 km long trail (Poco Preto trail) from the main road that leads to the Iguaçu river, and for me it was butterfly heaven as I saw so many different species and in places also in groups.

Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)

Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)

There is a 9 km long trail (Poco Preto trail) from the main road that leads to the Iguaçu river, and for me it was butterfly heaven as I saw so many different species and in places also in groups.

Epinome Cracker (Hamadryas epinome)

Epinome Cracker (Hamadryas epinome)

This is the second member of the Hamadryas genus I saw here in Iguaçu National Park.

Candrena Eighty-eight (Diaethria candrena)

Candrena Eighty-eight (Diaethria candrena)

Yet another of the numberwings sucking human salt off the railings alongside the trails down Iguaçu Falls

Red Cracker (Hamadryas amphinome)

Red Cracker (Hamadryas amphinome)

Alongside the trails leading down to the Devil’s Throat of Iguaçu Falls I saw several species of butterflies I have not seen before, and this one was the only one of this species during my three days here. Common to all butterflies was the tempting human salt left from sweaty palms on the railings and […]

Hydaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hydaspes)

Hydaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hydaspes)

When you first see a numberwing butterfly or eighty-eights, you are oblivious to the intricacies of the way the number is the patterns are, and think you see the same species all the time. But not so! I saw three species alongside the Iguaçu Falls trails on the Brazilian side and this is the first […]

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

This is the third of the numberwings I observed around Iguaçu Falls on the Brazilian side. This one also busy licking salt from all the sweaty human hands sliding down the railings.

Scarlet Peacock (Anartia amathea)

Scarlet Peacock (Anartia amathea)

The only butterfly species I encountered here, and only in the open fields of the lodge. Altitude: 1036 metres.

Linda’s Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

Linda’s Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

This is from the airstrip in Florida, and being next to Noel Kempff Mercado National Park there are so many different species of butterflies everywhere. The airstrip is no exception! The number of Adelphas was so large, that even back home I am unable to identify the few I managed to photograph! Thanks to Kim […]

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

A beautiful butterfly I also saw in Bolivian Amazon. The blue is changing with the angle of the light, so sometimes it seems to have very little blue, and in other angles it’s really striking. This is by the stream/waterfall we cross on the way to the Huanchaca Plateau (also called Caparu Meseta (Meseta de […]

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

The diversity of butterflies here is staggering, and only when I got home did I see that what I briefly in the field thought of as the same species of Adelpha indeed was not, and needs an expert’s help to identify! Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Amazon Cracker (Hamadryas chlöe)

Amazon Cracker (Hamadryas chlöe)

A very short encounter while my guides used chainsaws to clear fallen trees off the dirt road on our way to the base camp. The crackers are sometimes sitting so high on trees you need a telephoto lens to capture them – this one was briefly sitting low on this trunk – time enough for […]

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

Identifying the Adelphas is not easy, and in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park they are so plentiful that your analytical skills are really put to the test. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

Mesentina Sister (Adelpha mesentina)

The diversity of butterflies here is staggering, and only when I got home did I see that what I briefly in the field thought of as the same species of Adelpha indeed was not, and needs an expert’s help to identify!

Adelpha sp

Adelpha sp

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park has the river Paraguá as a natural border in the west, and on the shores of the river you’ll see a large number of insect species, including butterflies. So even though the community of Florida is cattle land, and typically has human waste of different categories, the proximity to the […]

Tomato (Temenis laothoe)

Orange Banner (Temenis laothoe)

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park has the river Paraguá as a natural border in the west, and on the shores of the river you’ll see a large number of insect species, including butterflies. So even though the community of Florida is cattle land, and typically has human waste of different categories, the proximity to the […]

Red Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)

Red Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park has the river Paraguá as a natural border in the west, and on the shores of the river you’ll see a large number of insect species, including butterflies. So even though the community of Florida is cattle land, and typically has human waste of different categories, the proximity to the […]

Hübner’s Sister (Adelpha plesaure)

Hübner’s Sister (Adelpha plesaure)

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park has the river Paraguá as a natural border in the west, and on the shores of the river you’ll see a large number of insect species, including butterflies. So even though the community of Florida is cattle land, and typically has human waste of different categories, the proximity to the […]

Heliconius sp

Heliconius sp

This was my farwell to Chalalan, and even though it was raining some butterflies were out feeding on urine or naturally occuring salts. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Genoveva Buckeye (Junonia genoveva)

Genoveva Buckeye (Junonia genoveva)

Spotted on the grounds of the now out of business Santa Rosa – Chalalan’s neighbor.

Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)

Many-banded Daggerwing (Marpesia chiron)

A large and quite common butterfly on the riverbanks of Madidi.

Godart's Numberwing (Catagramma pygas)

Godart’s Numberwing (Catagramma pygas)

I only saw this once – at least with wings open. Most I saw of this species had their wings closed, thus I only saw the underside of the wing (ventral). Usually butterflies are rather dull colorwise on the underside, but this species caught my eyes due to their very colorful underside. Unfortunately I didn’t […]

Eurota Purplewing (Eunica eurota)

Eurota Purplewing (Eunica eurota)

One of many wonderful species alongside the river bank of the Napo Wildlife Center welcome center. Like many species also this one preferred to sit with wings closed, and thus blend in with the muddy shore. I noticed some blue in flight, but sitting it was not generous in opening its wings. It finally decided […]

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

I’m grateful to have gotten a shot of this wonderful butterfly. I only saw it here this once on the muddy grounds of the Napo Wildlife Center welcome center. Here the shifting levels of the Napo river deposits silt on the flat riverside and this is what the butterflies seek – salts. Most of the […]

Perilla crescent (Castilia perilla)

Perilla crescent (Castilia perilla)

I only saw this one, and it was in the darkest areas alongside the Napo River and the path to the Napo Wildlife welcome center. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Purplewing? (Eunica)

Purplewing? (Eunica)

I only saw this once. Here sitting on the outside of the Anangu Quichua Community’s souvenir hut – close to the welcome center. This is an opening in the dense jungle and is away from the river. Please help me classify it – leave a comment 🙂

Napo Wildlife Center Lepidoptera 02

Malachite (Siproeta stelenes)

Here sitting on the outside of the Anangu Quichua Community’s souvenir hut – close to the welcome center. This is an opening in the dense jungle and is away from the river. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Pygas Eighty-eight (Callicore pygas)

Pygas Eighty-eight (Callicore pygas)

Sitting on the outside of the Anangu Quichua Community’s souvenir hut – close to the welcome center. This is an opening in the dense jungle and is away from the river. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Juno Longwing (Dione juno)

Juno Longwing (Dione juno)

Quite common among the cabanas. I also saw this species sitting on the head of the turtles, possibly harvesting salts – to the frustration of the turtles. Sometimes a particular turtle seemed like a beacon of temptation as it had 3-4 butterflies fighting for space on its head. The turtle would try to avoid them […]

Giant glasswing (Methona confusa)

Giant glasswing (Methona confusa)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Owl butterfly (Caligo sp)

Owl butterfly (Caligo sp)

Please help classify it. Leave a comment 🙂

Clearwing (Greta genus)

Clearwing (Greta genus)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for helping in identification!

Heliconius erato

Heliconius erato

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)

Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Rusty-tipped Page (Siproeta epaphus)

Rusty-tipped Page (Siproeta epaphus)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Sara Longwing (Heliconius sara)

Sara Longwing (Heliconius sara)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Mindo Leptidoptera 02

Menapis Tigerwing (Mechanitis menapis mantineus)

Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

Bellavista Lepidoptera 03

Eretris sp

Very wary and hard to get close to. Shot on the ridge behind Bellavista lodge, where the dirt road made it possible for several species of flowers to thrive, and thus several species of butterflies. Please help me classify it – leave a comment 🙂

Altinote ozomene

Altinote ozomene

I found this one alongside a dirt road on a ridge behind Bellavista lodge. A bright and open area receiving wind from the valleys below. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!

West Indian Buckeye (Junonia evarete)

West Indian Buckeye (Junonia evarete)

On the open grassland that is the savanna (Sabana), there are few birds and a lot of insects – ants and termites in particular. Only a select few butterflies are territorial and also not easily disturbed by either flashlight or careful human movements. This was one of three species that were seen around the path […]