Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2016 12:18:32 GMT
The holy grail of schoenbergi - ssp choiseuli. I may be the only person to have collected this ssp since Meek? Laurie Not so sure about that, Laurie... My female specimen is dated 7.9.74... I don't know the collector. Perhaps someone might recognise the type of label. It reads 'D. schoenbergia choiseuli. Roth... choiseul Is., B.S.I.P. 7.9.74'  |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 2, 2016 13:06:18 GMT
Wow Barry !
I wasn't aware that ssp. choiseuli had been found between A.S. Meek and Laurie's expeditions there !
Who the hell could have been there in 1974 ?
B.S.I.P means : "British Solomon Islands Protectorate" for those who would ask. This Proctectorate ended in 1975.
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 2, 2016 14:08:06 GMT
WOW and they look so fresh, congrats Laurie !!! Could you tell us more about their habitat and behaviour ? Were natives friendly or did you catch these treasures avoiding bullets and arrows ? 
LOL I was going to ask the same! Particularly elevation.
I have a bunch of ex-pupae schoenbergi isabellae. Brought them back to USA, with all the legal paperwork, at the same time a bunch were smuggled to US retailers and the price dropped out. Same with papilio toboroi. Now I'd be lucky to sell them for what I paid for them! ha ha ha.
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Post by bobw on Mar 2, 2016 14:25:27 GMT
The holy grail of schoenbergi - ssp choiseuli. I may be the only person to have collected this ssp since Meek? Laurie Not so sure about that, Laurie... My female specimen is dated 7.9.74... I don't know the collector. Perhaps someone might recognise the type of label. It reads 'D. schoenbergia choiseuli. Roth... choiseul Is., B.S.I.P. 7.9.74' Looks like one of Ted Archer's labels to me. He collected extensively in the Solomons in the 70s. He discovered Ornithoptera victoriae archeri on Choiseul so it could easily be one of his specimens. Bob |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 2, 2016 14:36:28 GMT
Looks like one of Ted Archer's labels to me. He collected extensively in the Solomons in the 70s. He discovered Ornithoptera victoriae archeri on Choiseul so it could easily be one of his specimens. Bob Thanks Bob ! nomad, we need an article about this "Ted Archer" ! |
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Post by nomad on Mar 2, 2016 15:37:09 GMT
Ted Archer seems a very interesting person and collector. I believe there may be a number of members here that knew him personally that might be better placed to write an article on him. I am currently writing a more in depth historical article on A.F.R. Wollaston and his 1912/1913 Expedition to the Snow Mountains - Catstensz area of New Guinea. I have some interesting new material and photographs.  |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 2, 2016 15:43:34 GMT
Fully agree to prioritize Wollaston !  |
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Post by chrisd on Mar 2, 2016 18:24:40 GMT
Not so sure about that, Laurie... My female specimen is dated 7.9.74... I don't know the collector. Perhaps someone might recognise the type of label. It reads 'D. schoenbergia choiseuli. Roth... choiseul Is., B.S.I.P. 7.9.74' Looks like one of Ted Archer's labels to me. He collected extensively in the Solomons in the 70s. He discovered Ornithoptera victoriae archeri on Choiseul so it could easily be one of his specimens. Bob Here is another of Ted Archer's specimens. Attachments:
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 2, 2016 18:42:59 GMT
Bloody common finally this choiseuli ! Guys your Delias collections are fantastic ! |
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 2:55:36 GMT
The holy grail of schoenbergi - ssp choiseuli. I may be the only person to have collected this ssp since Meek? Laurie Not so sure about that, Laurie... My female specimen is dated 7.9.74... I don't know the collector. Perhaps someone might recognise the type of label. It reads 'D. schoenbergia choiseuli. Roth... choiseul Is., B.S.I.P. 7.9.74' Thanks for the the record Baz, wonderful! |
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 3:35:16 GMT
WOW and they look so fresh, congrats Laurie !!! Could you tell us more about their habitat and behaviour ? Were natives friendly or did you catch these treasures avoiding bullets and arrows ? Thanks Olivier. At Taro Island (North East Choiseul) I chartered a boatman and a dingy, loaded up with supplies and at first light the two of us headed off south down the coast with me totally amped and hoping to climb Mt Maetambe. After a few hours at sea and then heading up river, just as it was getting dark we finally reached Rarakasi village, at the base of the mountain. The local boatman was decidedly uncomfortable the moment we were greeted. It was clear neither of us were welcome. But because it was dark, we were tired and hungry and had nowhere to sleep the chief reluctantly extended his hospitality and offered us a roof over our heads for the night. The next morning I met with all the big men but there was absolutely no way I was getting permission to climb Mt Maetambe, even though I offered a substantial custom fee payment in return. During the unsuccessful negotiations, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a giant flowering tree bang smack in the middle of the village in what looked to be a special place of gathering. I could see the choiseuli circling the top of it. The air was pretty tense and there was no way I could ask if I could climb the tree. My heart was racing madly and I couldn't concentrate. All I could think about was getting up that tree. But I dare not ask and it would have been especially dangerous anyway without ropes or a harness. So as an ice breaker I offered as a gift all the supplies I had in the boat (rice, salt and tin fish intended to last me about two weeks while up the mountain) - and my best bowie knife to the chief, which met with great approval and applause. This paved the way for us to stay a second night. The second morning I waited patiently at the base of the tree with my 6 metre long handle until the gems would momentarily drop low enough for me to take a swing at. |
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mosca1
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 81
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Post by mosca1 on Mar 3, 2016 5:24:05 GMT
Looks like one of Ted Archer's labels to me. He collected extensively in the Solomons in the 70s. He discovered Ornithoptera victoriae archeri on Choiseul so it could easily be one of his specimens. Bob Here is another of Ted Archer's specimens. Congrats on the acquisition Chris! |
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 3, 2016 13:34:58 GMT
Laurie,
Thanks for the story! The experience to me is equal the specimen.
Since you were at the base of the mountain, I assume that you had some elevation- any idea how much? I'd been told that schoenbergi could be found all the way to the sea- what do you think?
Chuck
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 3, 2016 13:38:32 GMT
I'd been told that schoenbergi could be found all the way to the sea- what do you think? As schoenbergi is related to Delias euphemia and member of Group hyparethe, it would make sense that schoenbergi is a lowland species. |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 3, 2016 13:51:30 GMT
At Taro Island (North East Choiseul) I chartered a boatman and a dingy, loaded up with supplies and at first light the two of us headed off south down the coast with me totally amped and hoping to climb Mt Maetambe. After a few hours at sea and then heading up river, just as it was getting dark we finally reached Rarakasi village, at the base of the mountain. The local boatman was decidedly uncomfortable the moment we were greeted. It was clear neither of us were welcome. But because it was dark, we were tired and hungry and had nowhere to sleep the chief reluctantly extended his hospitality and offered us a roof over our heads for the night. The next morning I met with all the big men but there was absolutely no way I was getting permission to climb Mt Matetambe, even though I offered a substantial custom fee payment in return. During the unsuccessful negotiations, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a giant flowering tree bang smack in the middle of the village in what looked to be a special place of gathering. I could see the choiseuli circling the top of it. The air was pretty tense and there was no way I could ask if I could climb the tree. My heart was racing madly and I couldn't concentrate. All I could think about was getting up that tree. But I dare not ask and it would have been especially dangerous anyway without ropes or a harness. So as an ice breaker I offered as a gift all the supplies I had in the boat (rice, salt and tin fish intended to last me about two weeks while up the mountain) - and my best bowie knife to the chief, which met with great approval and applause. This paved the way for us to stay a second night. The second morning I waited patiently at the base of the tree with my 6 metre long handle until the gems would momentarily drop low enough for me to take a swing at. Laurie,
Thanks for the story ! You are my :
If one day, you publish a book about your adventures, I would be your first reader ! More seriously, I hope you will one day write about your expeditions.
Olivier
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