The distinctive outline of Mount Ba Vi, seen from Dông Mô Lake. This mountain has three peaks: the highest is Dinh Vua at 1,296m, followed by Tan Vien at 1,226m and Ngoc Hoa at 1,120m
Last year, I conduct regular surveys at Ba Vi National Park (located 70 km west of Hanoi). Regular sampling was carried out from March to November 2017. The surveys were performed along a ca.5km transect (ranging in altitude from 100-800m) divided in different segments, along paths and small roads. A total of 15 man-days were spent in the field.
Three types of ecosystem were surveyed i. e. secondary forest, old-growth forest with dense canopies and ecotones dominated by shrubs. The old-growth, closed-canopy evergreen forest, from 700-800m to 1,300m asl, has been under-surveyed for some reasons, hence the lack of strictly montane species in my checklist. I will try to fill that gap this year.
Close to the summit: Dinh Vua Peak (1,296m asl) on the left, Tan Vien Peak (1,226m asl) on the right.
The natural old-growth forest is mainly distributed at elevation above 700m
The natural old-growth forest is mainly distributed at elevation above 700m
To identify the species, specimens encountered were either observed with binoculars or photographed. Few specimens were captured and none were collected for later identification (permit is required for collecting in nature reserves and national parks). I am fully aware of the limitation of this sampling method ("butterfly-watcher" style...), especially for taxonomically complicated genera (in the Hesperiidae family notably) which require sometimes that specimens are collected for further examination. Nevertheless, 95% of the specimens photographed/captured were confidently identified at species-level (the remaining at genus-level).
In total, I recorded c.180 species of butterflies. I am aware of two previous studies of Ba Vi's butterfly fauna. The one of Bui Xuan Phuong et al. (2003) listed 141 species, the one of Vu Van Lien et al. (2013) 92 species.
Intense studies in this area will certainly reveal much more species, especially members of the Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae families which have low detectability because of their small size, localized appearance and strong habitat preferences.
Checklist of the species:
Papilionidae
Troides aeacus +
Troides helena +
Byasa dasarada +
Pachliopta aristolochiae +
Atrophaneura aidoneus
Chilasa clytia ++
Papilio nephelus +++
Papilio demoleus ++
Papilio helenus +++
Papilio polytes +++
Papilio memnon +++
Papilio protenor ++
Papilio bianor ++
Papilio doddsi ++
Papilio paris +++
Graphium sarpedon +++
Graphium doson + +
Graphium agamemnon +++
Graphium antiphates +
Graphium xenocles
Lamproptera curius ++
Lamproptera meges ++
Pieridae
Delias pasithoe ++
Delias hyparete ++
Delias acalis +
Prioneris thestylis +
Prioneris philonome +
Pieris canidia ++
Pieris rapae ++
Appias lyncida +++
Appias albina ++
Appias lalage +
Appias indra+
Appias paulina
Appias pandione
Appias galba
Cepora nadina ++
Cepora nerissa ++
Hebomoia glaucippe +
Ixias pyrene+
Eurema andersoni ++
Eurema hecabe++
Catopsilia pomona +++
Catopsila pyranthe+
Leptosia nina
Nymphalidae
Thauria lathyi +
Thaumantis diores +
Faunis eumeus +
Stichophthalma suffusa ++
Danaus genutia ++
Danaus chrysippus +
Parantica aglea +++
Parantica sita +
Parantica melaneus+++
Euploea mulciber +++
Euploea core +++
Euploea tulliolus+++
Euploea sylvester ++
Euploea radamanthus +
Euploea eunice
Tirumala septentrionis +++
Tirumala limniace +++
Ideopsis vulgaris +++
Elymnias hypermnestra +
Elymnias malelas +
Elymnias patna +
Melanitis leda ++
Melanitis phedima ++
Lethe confusa ++
Lethe europa +
Lethe chandica +
Lethe sinorix
Lethe mekara +
Neope muirheadi +
Mycalesis inopia ++
Mycalesis mucianus ++
Mycalesis malsara ++
Mycalesis cf. perseoides +
Ypthima baldus +++
Discophora sondaica +
Vanessa cardui +
Acraea issoria +
Pseudergolis wedah +
Ariadne ariadne +++
Athyma asura ++
Athyma selenophora ++
Athyma ranga +
Athyma nefte +
Moduza procris +
Cupha erymanthis +++
Cethosia cyane +++
Cethosia biblis ++
Argyreus hyperbius +
Phalanta phalantha +
Cirrochroa tyche +
Hestinalis nama +
Euripus nyctelius +
Lexias pardalis +
Symbrethia lilaea +++
Symbrethia hypselis +
Troides aeacus +
Troides helena +
Byasa dasarada +
Pachliopta aristolochiae +
Atrophaneura aidoneus
Chilasa clytia ++
Papilio nephelus +++
Papilio demoleus ++
Papilio helenus +++
Papilio polytes +++
Papilio memnon +++
Papilio protenor ++
Papilio bianor ++
Papilio doddsi ++
Papilio paris +++
Graphium sarpedon +++
Graphium doson + +
Graphium agamemnon +++
Graphium antiphates +
Graphium xenocles
Lamproptera curius ++
Lamproptera meges ++
Pieridae
Delias pasithoe ++
Delias hyparete ++
Delias acalis +
Prioneris thestylis +
Prioneris philonome +
Pieris canidia ++
Pieris rapae ++
Appias lyncida +++
Appias albina ++
Appias lalage +
Appias indra
Cepora nadina ++
Cepora nerissa ++
Hebomoia glaucippe +
Ixias pyrene
Eurema andersoni ++
Eurema hecabe
Catopsilia pomona +++
Catopsila pyranthe
Nymphalidae
Thauria lathyi +
Thaumantis diores +
Faunis eumeus +
Stichophthalma suffusa ++
Danaus genutia ++
Danaus chrysippus +
Parantica aglea +++
Parantica sita +
Parantica melaneus
Euploea mulciber +++
Euploea core +++
Euploea tulliolus
Elymnias hypermnestra +
Elymnias malelas +
Elymnias patna +
Melanitis leda ++
Melanitis phedima ++
Lethe confusa ++
Lethe europa +
Lethe chandica +
Lethe sinorix
Lethe mekara +
Neope muirheadi +
Mycalesis inopia ++
Mycalesis mucianus ++
Mycalesis malsara ++
Mycalesis cf. perseoides +
Ypthima baldus +++
Discophora sondaica +
Vanessa cardui +
Acraea issoria +
Pseudergolis wedah +
Ariadne ariadne +++
Athyma asura ++
Athyma selenophora ++
Athyma ranga +
Athyma nefte +
Moduza procris +
Cupha erymanthis +++
Cethosia cyane +++
Cethosia biblis ++
Argyreus hyperbius +
Phalanta phalantha +
Cirrochroa tyche +
Hestinalis nama +
Euripus nyctelius +
Lexias pardalis +
Symbrethia lilaea +++
Symbrethia hypselis +
Juniona iphita +++
Juniona almana ++
Juniona atlites ++
Hypolimnias bolina ++
Hypolimnia misippus +
Kallima cf. incognita +
Cyrestis thyodamas ++
Parthenos sylvia ++
Vindula erota ++
Stibochiona nicea +
Pantoporia hordonia ++
Neptis hylas +++
Neptis harita ++
Neptis clinia +++
Neptis miah +
Neptis nata +
Polyura athamas +
Polyura nepenthes
Charaxes bernardus +
Eulaceura osteria
Euthalia lubentina+
Euthalia monina +
Euthalia alpheda +
Euthalia phemius +
Euthalia aconthea +
Cynitia lepidea +
Cynitia whiteheadi +
Tanaecia julii +
Libythea sp.
Riodinidae
Zemeros flegyas +++
Dodona ouida
Lycaenidae
Jamides celeno +++
Jamides alecto +++
Zizina otis ++
Megisba malaya +
Nacaduba kurava ++
Nacaduba pactolus +
Prosotas nora +
Prosotas dubiosa +
Lampides boeticus +
Euchrysops cnejus+
Acytolepis puspa +
Celastrina lavendularis +
Udara dilecta +
Curetis bulis+
Tongeia potanini +
Catochrysops strabo+
Leptotes plinius +
Sinthusa chandrana ++
Chilades pandava
Neopithecops zalmora +
Yasoda tripunctata++
Heliophorus delacouri ++
Horaga onyx +
Charaxes bernardus +
Eulaceura osteria
Euthalia lubentina
Euthalia monina +
Euthalia alpheda +
Euthalia phemius +
Euthalia aconthea +
Cynitia lepidea +
Cynitia whiteheadi +
Tanaecia julii +
Libythea sp.
Riodinidae
Zemeros flegyas +++
Dodona ouida
Lycaenidae
Jamides celeno +++
Jamides alecto +++
Zizina otis ++
Megisba malaya +
Nacaduba kurava ++
Nacaduba pactolus +
Prosotas nora +
Prosotas dubiosa +
Lampides boeticus +
Euchrysops cnejus
Acytolepis puspa +
Celastrina lavendularis +
Udara dilecta +
Curetis bulis
Tongeia potanini +
Catochrysops strabo
Yasoda tripunctata
Heliophorus delacouri ++
Horaga onyx +
Arhopala cf. eumolphus
Rapala suffusa ++
Rapala varuna +
Rapala manea +
Deudorix epijarbas +
Cigaritis syama ++
Cigaritis lohita +
Artipe eryx +
Tajuria maculata
Tajuria cf. yajna
Surendra quercetorum +
Hesperidae
Hasora badra +
Pseudocoladenia dan +
Mooreana trichoneura +++
Satarupa gopala++
Tagiadies litigiosa ++
Tagiades menaka +
Tagiades parra +
Odontoptilum angulata+
Celaenorrhinus vietnamicus ++
Badamia exclamationis
Notocrypta paralysos +
Notocrypta curvifascia +
Udaspes folus ++
Matapa aria/druna ++
Matapa sasivarna +
Pithauria stramineipennis +
Pirdana hyela +
Halpe cf. porus ++
Halpe zola/zema ++
Asticopterus jama ++
Borbo cinnara ++ +
Baoris farri +
Caltoris ssp. +
Potanthus ssp. ++
Telicota ssp. ++
Parnara guttata++
Parnara ssp. +++
Suada albolineata +
Pelopidas conjuncta ++
Pelopidas cf. agna ++
Polytremis lubricans ++
Ancistroides nigrita +
Iambrix salsala ++
Isoteinon lamprospilus +
Cigaritis lohita +
Surendra quercetorum +
Hesperidae
Hasora badra +
Pseudocoladenia dan +
Mooreana trichoneura +++
Satarupa gopala
Tagiadies litigiosa ++
Tagiades menaka +
Tagiades parra +
Odontoptilum angulata
Celaenorrhinus vietnamicus ++
Badamia exclamationis
Notocrypta paralysos +
Notocrypta curvifascia +
Udaspes folus ++
Matapa aria/druna ++
Matapa sasivarna +
Pithauria stramineipennis +
Pirdana hyela +
Halpe cf. porus ++
Halpe zola/zema ++
Asticopterus jama ++
Borbo cinnara ++ +
Baoris farri +
Caltoris ssp. +
Potanthus ssp. ++
Telicota ssp. ++
Parnara guttata
Parnara ssp. +++
Suada albolineata +
Pelopidas conjuncta ++
Pelopidas cf. agna ++
Polytremis lubricans ++
Ancistroides nigrita +
Iambrix salsala ++
Isoteinon lamprospilus +
("Abundance" : + recorded on 1-2 day during the SP, ++ recorded on 2-7 days/SP, +++ recorded on 7-15 days/SP)
Sampling period (SP) = c.15 days
Species in red: Update Survey 2018
Species in green: Update Survey 2020
Sampling period (SP) = c.15 days
Species in red: Update Survey 2018
Species in green: Update Survey 2020
Troides species are usually seen gliding slowly over the canopy and not often seen feeding off the flowers at eye-level, moving from bush to bush. An opportunity not to be missed!
I was happy to see at close range this - worn - specimen (September)
Chilasa clytia
Papilio doddsi
Papilio paris
Papilio paris belongs to the subgenus Achillides ("Gloss Papilios"). The other representants of this subgenus known in Vietnam are P. doddsi, P. arcturus arcturus, P. krishna charlesi & P. bianor gladiator.
Papilio paris - very similar to the much rarer (and montane species) P. arcturus but blue patch of different shape (somewhat quadrate in paris, elongate in arcturus)
Papilio protenor
Papilio nephelus, female
Papilio memnon agenor, male
Papilio memnon agenor, female displaying the tailess form agenor
Papilio demoleus - nice encounter of two insect pollinators around the same flower
Papilio memnon agenor, female displaying the tailed form alcanor
This form is a mimic of the unpalatable (toxic) Atrophaneura swallowtails, while form agenor is non-mimetic
Papilio polytes courtship, with the female (right) displaying the stichius form
Papilio polytes, female displaying the stichius form
This form is a mimic of the unpalatable (toxic) Atrophaneura swallowtails, while form agenor is non-mimetic
Papilio polytes courtship, with the female (right) displaying the stichius form
Papilio polytes, female displaying the stichius form
Graphium sarpedon
Graphium antiphates puddling with Appias albina at an old fire pit
This puddling congregation was one of the rare I spotted during this survey
An unusual shot of a nectaring Graphium antiphates - much more often seen puddling
Graphium xenocles - an addition to the species list from Summer 2018
Quite unusual to see this species flowering - more often seen puddling
Both sexes exhibit a flight pattern similar to the Danainae models which they mimic, slow and seemingly unafraid; but, unlike the models, will fly away quickly if disturbed.
Lamproptera curius
The forewing has a triangular hyaline (glass-like) patch with black borders
Delias acalis
Looks superficially like D. pasithoe but larger and UnH yellow postdiscal markings arranged differently and more regularly
Delias pasithoe
Delias hyparete
Prioneris thestylis
Pieris canidia
Pieris rapae
There may be as many as 34 species of Pieris worldwide, although the status of some is uncertain. The commonest and most widespread species is rapae, which was originally restricted to Europe and temperate Asia but has been introduced accidentally to North America, Africa, South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
The caterpillar of this species is seen as a pest for agriculture.
Appias lyncida , female
An addition to the species list from Spring 2018
Catopsilia pomona - copula between male f. hilaria (top) and female f. pomona
Catopsilia pomona - male f. alcmeone
Catopsilia pomona - female f. catilla
Catopsila pyranthe - much rarer than C. pomona
Beneath, the wings show many rather faint and short transverse striae, giving a "mottled" appearance
Ixias pyrene - same remark than Hebomoia glaucippe
Leptosia nina - a low flying (usually less than 1 meter high) and delicate Pierid butterfly with weak and erratic flight
The genus Leptosia comprises 9 species, all found in Africa, except for L. lignea which is endemic to Sulawesi and L. nina which ranges from India to Australia.
Leptosia nina - a low flying (usually less than 1 meter high) and delicate Pierid butterfly with weak and erratic flight
The genus Leptosia comprises 9 species, all found in Africa, except for L. lignea which is endemic to Sulawesi and L. nina which ranges from India to Australia.
Stichophthalma suffusa tonkiniana
According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), the subfamily Amathusiinae is represented in Vietnam by 10 genera: Faunis (5 species), Aemona (7 species), Stichophtalma (8 species), Amathusia (1 species), Amathuxidia (1 species), Zeuxidia (2 species), Thaumantis (1 species), Thauria (1 species), Discophora (4 species), Enispe (3 species).
Stichophthalma howqua suffusa has been raised to species S. suffusa Leech, 1892 (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2008). S. suffusa tonkiniana has an ocre-yellow ground color on the Up of both wings with completely fused submarginal black markings on the UpH.
At Ba Vi, this species occupies both primary and secondary forest habitats, at all elevations.
Thauria lathyi feeding on rotten fruits with Stichophthalma suffusa tonkiniana
Thaumantis diores
Danaus genutia - one of the commonest butterflies in Vietnam
The genus Thaumantis ("Jungle Glories") comprises 5 species (diores, klugius, noureddin, odana, hainana). Only T. diores is known from Vietnam, with two subspecies recognized : T. diores diores in the north and T. diores splendens further south.
Thaumantis diores is a common sight in my habitual butt hunting grounds around Hanoi, both in lowland and montane forests. This species inhabits shady undergrowth and is attracted by fruits and moist litter.
Faunis eumeus enjoying the glorious morning sun
According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), 5 Faunis species have been recorded in Vietnam viz. F. eumeus (N. and C. Vietnam), F. canens (N. and C.), F. excelsa (N. and C.), F. bicoloratus (C.) and F. centrala (C.).
Centrala and excelsa have Up of both wings grey. The 3 other species have brown Up.
Four Danaus species are recorded in Vietnam: D. chrysippus, P. genutia, D. melanippus & D. affinis. Only the two former are recorded in the North of the country, where they are very common.
Danaus genutia, 5th instar caterpillar
The caterpillars of the sub-family Danainae have several long paired 'tentacles' (stinkhorns) on the back
Parantica melaneus
The genus Parantica comprises 39 species, of which 6 are known to occur in Vietnam viz. aglea, agleoides, aspasia, melaneus, swinhoei, sita.
Euploea sylvester harrisii
E. sylvester is one of my favourites, with the dark metallic blue sheen (upperwing) contrasting with the row of pale blue submarginal spots
Euploea eunice
Euploea radamanthus - I only managed to get some poor record shots (heavily cropped)
To my knowledge, until now, there was only one record from northern Vietnam (Cuc Phuong). But as this species is also known from southern China, its presence at Ba Vi is not really surprising.
Tirumala septentrionis - the cent scale pouch (at vein 2 on HW) indicates that it is a male
Tirumala limniace - male
Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 3 Tirumala species from Vietnam - septentrionis, limniace and gautama, the former two widespread throughout the country, the latter recorded from the center (Quang Binh Prov.) and south. Tirumala limniace is similar to T. septentrionalis, but with broader and paler blue streaks as well as spots. T. gautama can be easily separated from the latter two by the FW discal cell with an additional blue streak along the anterior margin
Elymnias malelas
The smell of the handlebar grip of my motorbike was irresistible to this individual
Elymnias patna
Melanitis leda - wet season form
Melanitis leda - dry season form
Mycalesis inopia - wet season form
Mycalesis inopia - dry season form
Mycalesis mucianus - wet season form
Mycalesis malsara - wet season form
The wet season form is characterized by large submarginal eyespots. These patterns are conspicuous when the butterflies are at rest on leaf litter or low herbage.
The dry season form lacks conspicuous wing markings. Such changes may favour crypsis and the absence of conspicuous pattern elements in the dry season when the satyrine butterflies rest inactively on the dead leaves while the wet season butterflies, which are active and rest intermittently on the green herbage, may use eyespots and bands as active anti-predator devices
Mycalesis individual of the mineus-group, very likely M. perseoides
Lethe confusa - the commonest Lethe species in the surveyed zoneLess elusive than other Lethe butterflies - often witnessed males perched at eye-level defending their territory and chasing away any 'intruders' (of whatever species)
Lethe chandica
Northern Vietnam is a region of particularly high levels of diversity for this genus, hosting over 80% of the known number of species (Monastyskii pp.32. in Anon, 2001).
An addition to the species list from Summer 2018
Lethe mekara, male
Neope muirheadi feeding on Broussonetia papyrifera fruits
Ypthima baldus, mating pair - wet season form
25 Ypthima species are known to occur in Vietnam (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016)
A dry season form of Ypthima baldus looks so different from the wet season form
Discophora sondaica
This rather elusive butterfly has its hindwing sharphly angled at tornus. The undersides are of a drab ochreous brown with heavy but blurred striation, giving it a cryptic appearance among the leaf litters of the undergrowth
Discophora species currently known in Vietnam: sondaica, deo, timora and aestheta - the last one described in 2003 from S.Vietnam (Dong Nai Prov., Cat Tien National Park).
Vanessa cardui
One of the most widespread of all butterflies, found on every continent except Antarctica (where no butterflies occur). Despite its incredible range, V. cardui is monotypic, i.e. there are not recognized subspecies. This probably reflects the fact that it is strongly migratory, a behavior that acts to inhibit localized population differentiation.
This is a colony-forming species, and it's unusual to see only one specimen
The flight is weak and fluttery, but persistent. In cloudy weather they roost openly on stems or grass-heads.
Pseudergolis wedah
Ariadne ariadne - superficially similar to Pseudergolis wedah
Ariadne ariadne, copula
Kallima cf. (limborgii) incognita
Recently, some revisions on the Asian continental Kallima have been carried out by Nakamura & Wakahara (2013) and Nakamura (2014). Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 3 species of Kallima in Vietnam: K. albofasciata continentalis (in the South), K. incognita and K. alicia kishii (the two latter widely distributed throughout the country)
Athyma asura
Athyma selenophora, male
Athyma selenophora, female, with its left wing chewed up
Athyma nefte, male
Cethosia cyane, female
Euripus nyctelius - licking up the sweat from my finger
It's often difficult to get close enough to a butterfly to get a photo, but from time to time they come to you!
The eyes of both sexes are yellow but those of the female are darker with varying degrees of brown shading.
Hestinalis nama
This species mimics Danaids especially Parantica sita and P. melaeneus, but differs in having submarginal lunules on both wings.
Cirrochroa tyche
Phalanta phalantha
Lexias pardalis, male
Symbrethia hypselis
There are about 14 species in the genus Symbrenthia, of which 4 are found in Vietnam - lilaea, hypselis, niphanda, leoparda. The former two are recorded in the north and center of the country, the latter two only from the north. S. lilaea and S. hypselis are the commonest members of the genus in Vietnam - but the latter have narrower habitat requirements and is much less often encountered.
Symbrethia lilaea
Vindula erota, female
Parthenos sylvia - more abundant in autumn
Distinctive flight with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal
Stibochiona nicea, male & female feeding on Broussonetia papyrifera fruits
Pantoporia hordonia - copula
According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), 5 Pantoporia species have been recorded in Vietnam: P. hordonia, P. sandaka, P. paraka, P. aurelia & P. bieti. The first three are widespread, the fourth is known from the Center and South, and the latter is only recorded from the North-West corner of the country (Lao Cai)
Charaxes bernardus
The Charaxinae are a group of large, robust Nymphalids characterised by their rapid and powerful flight, falcate apexes, and a habit of feeding at dung and carrion. They are represented in Africa by Charaxes, Euxanthe and Palla; in the neotropics by Consul, Memphis, Prepona and Agrias; and in the Oriental and Australian regions by Polyura and Charaxes.
Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 6 Charaxes species in Vietnam viz. solon, bernardus, marmax, aristogiton, kahruba & harmodius.
Neptis hylas, underside
Eulaceura osteria
An interesting characteristic of this butterfly is that when disturbed, it flies rapidly and zips to the underside of a nearby leaf where it settles with its wings closed
An interesting characteristic of this butterfly is that when disturbed, it flies rapidly and zips to the underside of a nearby leaf where it settles with its wings closed
Neptis nata adipala
Neptis miah
Euthalia aconthea, female
Euthalia phemius, male - a nice find in October, unfortunately too far away for anything more than poor record shots
Euthalia monina, male, feeding on fig
E. monina kesava is recorded in the north and the center of the country. It is replaced further south by E. monina remias. This species is one of the commonest members of the genus in Vietnam.
Cynitia lepidea - copula (female with wings spread)
Cynitia whiteheadi, female
Formely known as Euthalia niepelti Strand, 1916
Nacaduba pactolus
Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) didn't listed this species from northern Vietnam. But its presence here is not surprising, as it's also known from southern China
Prosotas nora
Prosotas dubiosa
Megisba malaya
Acytolepis puspa
Chilades pandava
Cigaritis lohitaMonastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) didn't listed this species from northern Vietnam. But its presence here is not surprising, as it's also known from southern China
Megisba malaya
Acytolepis puspa
Chilades pandava
Cigaritis syama
Rapala suffusa, male
Note the circular bulge on the hindwing, indicating the presence of the circular brand on the upperside
Rapala suffusa, male & female, upperside
Two species of Tongeia are known from Vietnam (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016): T. potanini (subsp. potanini in the North, subsp. umbriel in Central VN) and T. ion (North only)
Sinthusa chandrana, male, upperside
This species is widespread (from India to Malaysia and north to Japan) but it appears to be very local in occurrence. In Vietnam, it is only recorded from Ha Giang Prov. (North) and Lam Dong Prov. (Centre) (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016)
Artipe eryx, female - an elusive little fellow!
This species is unique in that it features green undersides, and can camouflage itself very well amongst green foliage. Its English name is "Green Flash".
Artipe eryx, male
Yasoda tripunctata
Neopithecops zalmora
Horaga onyx - one of the highlights of the surveyA widespread species but the paucity of records in Vietnam suggest it is very local in occurrence
In North Vietnam, Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) only mentioned it from Ba Be N.P.; I also found a mention of its occurrence at Tam Dao by Vu Van Lien (2013)
Horaga onyx, upperside
Deudorix epijarbas
Leptotes plinius
Tajuria maculata - a nice find and an addition to the Ba Vi list from Summer 2018
In Vietnam, this species appears to be very local in occurrence. It's only recorded from Ha Giang and Lang Son Prov. (North V.) and Quang Binh Prov. (Central V.) (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016)
Tajuria cf. yajna - found at an elevation of ca. 1100 m (survey 2018)
Mooreana trichoneura
Satarupa gopala
Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 2 Satarupa species in Vietnam viz. gopala & zulla - the former widespread (N., C.), the latter only recorded from Lao Cai Prov..
Tagiadies litigiosa (left) & T. menaka - the former by far the commonest Tagiades seen in the area
Tagiades parra
The genus Tagiades comprises 17 known species. According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), 7 have been recorded in Vietnam: japetus, gana, hybridus, parra, litigiosa, menaka & cohaerens.
Menaka, litigiosa, parra, hybridus and cohaerens show in both sexes large white tornal area of HW reaching space 4, unlike japetus and gana.
Udaspes folus
Quite common in lowland forests as well as semicleared partly cultivated areas around villages
Halpe zola or zema - copula
Whilst identification of Halpe species is problematic to say the least, this would appear to be either H. zema or H. zola. Genus Halpe needs specimens and checking genitalia.
In Vietnam, zema is only recorded from Tuyen Quang Prov. (North) whilst zola is more widespread (N. & C. of the country)
Halpe cf. porus
Unmistakable with its long narrow forewing
M. druna can be easily confused with M. aria, but the male of the former has a large & curved grey brand whereas it is narrow in aria
Matapa sasivarna - Note the extensive metallic green hair scales on body
Pithauria stramineipennis
Parnara guttata
Note the UnH spots in spaces 2-5 neatly in line (straight line of decreasing spots upwards), distinctly white, no spot 6, UpF with two cellspots
Parnara guttata, same specimen below, showing UpF spotting
Parnara bada & apostata have no FW cell spots. Male
P. ganga usually have a single lower FW cellspot. P. guttata usually have two
Parnara sp.
Suada albolineataParnara sp.
Parnara species show a great similarity of the external features and it is often impossible to
determine with certainty the species only from a photograph. For proper
identification, it is better to voucher the specimen to have a complete
view of the FW and HW pattern (often incomplete in a shot) and, ideally,
to confirm the ID by examination of the genitalia - a matter for specialists.
In the females, the size and spotting pattern are highly variable, this making most of the species almost indistinguishable by the external features.
In the females, the size and spotting pattern are highly variable, this making most of the species almost indistinguishable by the external features.
Species described in 2000. I observed it at Tam Dao & Ba Vi National Parks, and Huu Lien Nature Reserve
Pirdana hyela
Pelopidas cf. agna - copula
Pelopidas conjuncta - copula
This is a large skipper, FW spots large & yellowish, HW spots whitish
Caltoris cf. cahira
Another difficult genus. Identification by the wing patterns is not easy. After taking a photograph in the wild, it is useful to catch the specimen and to inspect genitalia
Telicota sp., male
Sometimes positive identification of Hesperiidae is not possible until genitalia (especially of males) have been carefully dissected and examined in detail; this is especially true for species belonging to difficult genera such as Telicota
This genus is represented in Vietnam by 7 species – colon, augias, linna, besta, bambusae, ancilla and ohara (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016)
Ancistroides nigrita
Asticopterus jama - common in grassy areas
Iambrix salsala
Some day-flying moths encountered during the surveys:
Arctiidae, Ctenuchinae, Amata sp. ("Wasp Moth")
Arctiinae Erebid, Nyctemera sp.
Arctiinae Erebid, Nyctemera sp.
Chalcosiinae Zygaenid, Histia sp. - mimics swallowtail butterflies
Epicopeia hainesii - a moth of the Epicopeiidae family (damaged specimen found on the ground, at an elevation of ca. 900-1000 m)
The species in this genus mimic butterflies of the agehana-group in the Papilio genus and Atrophaneura species. This is not a day-flying moth; adults fly in the evening and at night - flight activity starting just after sunset - and are attracted by light
Chalcosiinae Zygaenid, Cyclosia cf. papilionaris. This moth, which is a female, mimics the Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea in appearance and flight. Sexually dimorphic, the male is chocolate brown
Chalcosiinae, Zygaenidae Amesia aliris
Chalcosiinae Zygaenid, Pidorus atratus or glaucopis
Chalcosiinae, Zygaenidae Amesia aliris
Chalcosiinae Zygaenid, Pidorus atratus or glaucopis
Agaristinae Noctuid, Episteme adulatrix - colourful and attractive like a butterfly!
Agaristinae Noctuid, also something in the genus Episteme I think
Callidula sp.
This is a small moth but it looks like a butterfly, because it not only fly in the day but it also settle with its wing held vertically. But look at antennae, they are not clubbed - a main characteristics of moths.
Callidula sp.
This is a small moth but it looks like a butterfly, because it not only fly in the day but it also settle with its wing held vertically. But look at antennae, they are not clubbed - a main characteristics of moths.
Sphingidae, Macroglossinae, "Hummingbird Moth", possibly Cephonodes hylas