[Movie File] Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

▲Wing markings are unique. Deep-red in upperside reminds graceful velvet

 

   Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is easy to identify because of its unique wing markings. The distribution of this species is covering almost all over Eurasia and North America. In Japan this species is confined to the mountains. It appears from middle August when other butterflies have already been worn. Flight is swift and glaceful. It rarely visits flowers, it is usually attracted by tree sap, rotten fruits or animal droppings. This species hibernate as an adult butterfly. In May or June worn butterflies with their wing edge in white are seen.

 (Koushu-shi, Yamanashi, JAPAN Aug. 2012)

[Movie File] Asama White Admiral (Ladoga glorifica)

[Movie File] Asama White Admiral (Ladoga glorifica)

Asama White Admiral (Ladoga glorifica) is endemic to mainland Japan (confined to Honshu). The English name "Asama" is derived from Mt. Asama where this species was discovered for the first time. This species looks quite similar to White Admiral (Ladoga camilla) which ranges broadly from Europe to China and Japan. To distinguish these two similar species, one must study very carefully. Generally speaking, the white band on upperside is more conspicuous in this species.
(Yamanakako, Yamanashi, JAPAN Aug. 2012)

[Movie File] Japanese White-Letter Hairstreak (Fixsenia mera)

[Movie File] Japanese White-Letter Hairstreak (Fixsenia mera)

Japanese White-Letter Hairstreak (Fixsenia mera)　is tiny and unremarkable butterfly often seen at mountain plateau and forest. The size and wing shape are easy to be confused with Zephyrus Hairstreaks. This species is endemic to Japan. It ranges fairly broadly from northern to southern Japan, however it is usually uncommon in everywhere. In western and southern part of Japan, it is definitely rare. In some localities, the conspicuous form which lacks white line on underside is known. These variation seems attractive to Lycaenidae enthusiasts, so some people are fond of collecting this species from various places.      
   This video was filmed in the highlands located at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the highest peak in Japan.
(Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka, Japan, Aug. 2012)

[Movie File] Defending behavior of A nymphalid pupa

[Movie File] Defending behavior of A nymphalid pupa

   Nymphalid pupae sometimes defend themselves against parasitic wasps by heavy rotary movements. This behavior has already been reported in papers but this time we introduce it in video file. Video is much more eloquent than text information. The author of this blog shows his deepest gratitude to Akino-taiin (Okinawa) for providing this interesting video.
(Okinawajima, Okinawa, JAPAN May 2012)

[Movie File] Great Purple Emperor (Sasakia charonda)

[Movie File] Great Purple Emperor (Sasakia charonda)　

   Great Purple Emperor (Sasakia charonda) is famous among Japanese as the national butterfly of Japan. It was selected in 1957 by the Entomological Society of Japan. In Japan, this species widely ranges from northern part (Hokkaido) through southern part (Kyushu). It appears once in a year from June. Males appear about a week earlier than females. This butterfly extremely likes to sip tree sap. Sometimes numerous butterflies are gathering at tree sap. Flight is swift and strong, this butterfly is surely a "king of summer forest". (Nirasaki-shi, Yamanashi, JAPAN July 2012)

         Male of  Great Purple Emperor (Sasakia charonda)

[Movie File] Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii)

▲Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii) resting on the leaf

(Chin, Myanmar Sep. 2002 Photo by TS)

[Movie File] Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii)　

   Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii) is the world famous swallowtail for its bizarre and graceful appearance. It ranges from Bhutan, NW India, Myanmar to S China. The population in Thailand (ssp. ocellatomaculata ) is said to have gone extinct in early 80's. Ludlow's Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis ludlowi) which is known only from E. Bhutan is a distinct species. Our society had the joint research work on this species in 2011 and unveiled its morphology and biology. （See Butterflies No.60）

   This butterfly appears once in a year after the monsoon. September is the best season to observe this butterfly in most area. This butterfly has a quite odd biology because it is more active in foggy and rainy day. No other butterfly likes to fly in such unpleasant weather. This video was filmed in Chin state, western Myanmar in 2005. I have never seen any video of this butterfly (though some photos are found on the Internet), so I decided to share it. Sorry for the low quality of the video.

  (Chin state, W MYANMAR Oct. 2005)

[Movie File] Expedition to W. Myanmar

Movie File: Expedition to W. Myanmar

▲Location of Chin state, western Myanmar （after Wikipedia）

   Mr. S who is one of the leading figures in our society provided us very precious video. He has been earnestly studying the butterfly fauna of Myanmar for more than 15 years. Last June he visited Chin state, western Myanmar. Chin state is located in the border area just next to India. Most of the state is occupied with mountains called Chin Hill. Chin state is also famous as the battle field during WWII. The record of butterfly fauna in this area is quite scarce, only some old literatures such as Watson (Brithsh Army and posted in this area during the service) are available.

   Recently Mr. S has visited there several times and achieved many interesting findings. Among them, the discovery of a striking new Genus of Zephyrus Hairstreak (Genus Shizuyaozephyrus) is notable. Unfortunately this visit was not so much successful because of the heavy rain and bad road condition. In this video some common butterflies are fimed. The details should be reported by Mr. S himself in the future.