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Post by wollastoni on Jan 5, 2015 15:53:32 GMT
This one is a MONSTER. I have seen many butterflies in my life but this is one of the most impressive I have met !
Parthenos sylvia lilacinus is about 70/80 mm large, it flies in the forests of Koh Phi Phi at about 3 meter high. This subspecies is famous for its blue coloration. It has a very powerful flight and rarely make any stop.
I have been lucky to be able to photography 2 of them.
This one was HUGE, maybe a female as they are said to be bigger
The same specimen spreading its wings, he was 3 meter high so it was hard having the right angle to shoot him : 
Another male, less fresh, but who liked being pictured : 
Note its splendid tigered body : 
I have met this giant only once in one forest of Koh Phi Phi, not common there.
Hope you will like them.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 5, 2015 19:05:26 GMT
Did you also manage to hear the noise their wings make when flying?
Adam.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 5, 2015 19:22:07 GMT
No I didn't.
Which kind of noise ?
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jan 5, 2015 21:25:20 GMT
The wings can make a cracking sound as they fly along. This species can be seasonally quite common but out of season you will see none, and the mainland Thai subspecies is green rather than bluish.
Adam.
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Post by jmg on Jan 5, 2015 22:59:00 GMT
In Sabah, Parthenos sylvia borneensis STAUDINGER, 1889, greenish rather than bluish, was very common in August. Hamadryas butterflies in Neotropics are well known as "crackers" when flying. As soon as possible, I'll send to Wollastoni my own list of Butterflies from Koh Phi Phi Don where I collected during a week in the Northern part of the Island (many years ago). I remember that P. aristolochiae was very common. Below : - P. s. borneensis
- P. s. guineensis
- P. tigrina Attachment Deleted |
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Post by nomad on Jan 6, 2015 6:08:01 GMT
The cracking- clicking noise of the wings, is also made by Apatura iris in the U.K, if you are lucky enough to have one come to investigate you when they are descending from the canopy, usually in the morning. I have heard this on several occasions, probably due to the strong wing structure of the large Nymphalidae.
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 6, 2015 7:36:33 GMT
Splendid pictures Jean-Marc and thanks for your help !
I love studying butterfly behaviours and with its strong direct flight in the forest, Parthenos are very impressive.
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Post by jmg on Jan 6, 2015 13:34:43 GMT
I quote Nomad : "if you are lucky enough to have one come to investigate you when they are descending from the canopy, usually in the morning". In deed, these butterflies ( Parthenos, Hamadryas, Apatura) use to do as said by Nomad. They use to "investigate" you, making quick circles around the observer. So quickly that they are difficult to catch (unless being a whirling dervish !) during the said investigation. Interesting to add that they belong to different subfamilies : Limenitidinae, Biblidinae, Apaturinae. According to my personal observations, the Hamadryas are noisier as "crackers".  |
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Post by jmg on Jan 6, 2015 13:46:22 GMT
As everyone knows, butterflies in Sulawesi show some gigantism. It is obvious to Papilionidae, it is also true for the endemic subspecies Parthenos sylvia salentia :   |
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Post by wollastoni on Jan 18, 2015 10:34:03 GMT
I have said I have been very impressed by these Parthenos, one of the most impressive butterflies I have met.
Well, it seems that I am not the only one having been impressed by these "Princes of Lepidoptera".
This is what d'Abrera wrote in the Butterflies of Oriental Region, part II :
"In flight, the species in a grand sight. It can be truly described as aristocratic or noble. In Ceylan and South India where the individuals (particularly females) are largest, its effortless sailing with wings held dead flat, movement being afforded by imperceptible little flicks and unpredictably sharp deviations and turns, makes one gasp in awe. I have seen experienced collectors, especially those who have seen everything else but never before a Parthenos, merely stand and stare, hypnotized - before they realise they have a net in their hands. [...] The change from the rigidly awestruck, to one of belatedly galvanised locomotion is comical to watch, especially since the butterfly has by now demonstrated its breathtaking capacity for blinding speed in any direction."
Indeed a very impressive species ! Especially those giant females !
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 2, 2016 16:48:26 GMT
Does anyone know if it is possible to bait or lure Parthenos species ?
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Post by Adam Cotton on Nov 2, 2016 17:24:44 GMT
Parthenos do like fermenting fruit, so it would certainly be possible to trap them. Not being interested in Nymphalidae I haven't actually tried trapping these. I suspect that the placement of traps would be very important.
Adam.
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 2, 2016 17:51:33 GMT
Good
Any technique to do a fast fermenting fruit ?
I guess smashed banana left in a bottle in the sun during one day + a bit of beer would work, no ?
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Post by deliasfanatic on Nov 2, 2016 17:57:17 GMT
A quick check shows that I have (old) photos of my Parthenos drawers, so it seems like a good time to share them with our members. While they're not one of my specialties, I do like them quite a lot, especially the amazing range of colours from one subspecies to another.  parthenos drawer 01 1139 by D B, on Flickr  parthenos drawer 02 1140 by D B, on Flickr |
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 2, 2016 18:25:36 GMT
Wonderful, congrats Danny.
The blue lilacinus ssp is my favorite !
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