[Movie File] Diana Forester (Lethe diana)

   Lethe diana is fairly common throughout Japan except southernmost islands. It is so common that few butterfly enthusiasts pay much attention to this species, however it has its own chic beauty. Sometimes this species seems to be friendly because it often perches on our arms or even faces to suck sweat. Very striking subspecies is known from Mikura-jima (Mikura Island) in Izu-shoto southern Tokyo. This subspecies ssp. mikuraensis (see below) is recognized by its smaller ocelli. It has evolved in a small isolated island.

(Hachiouji-shi, Tokyo, JAPAN, May 2012)

▲Lethe diana mikuraensis (Mikura island, Tokyo)

[Movie File] Japanese Clouded Apollo (Parnassius citrinarius)

 

   Parnassius citrinarius is rather common in Japan. It appears once in spring chiefly from April to May. In Japan three Parnassius species are found. Among them this species has the largest distribution from Hokkaido to Honshu, Shikoku. It can be seen from small hill near town to high mountains. It flies gracefully near the ground and often visits various flowers.

  (Hachiouji-shi, Tokyo, JAPAN, May 2012)

[Movie File] Japanese Luehdorfia (Luehdorfia japonica)

 

   Luehdorfia japonica is definitely one of the most popular butterflies among Japanese butterfly lovers. This endemic swallowtail is blessed with an amazing beauty both butterfly itself and its habitat. This butterfly is only seen for a short period in early spring. At that time various flowers start to bloom and this butterfly likes to visit them. For Japanese butterfly lovers it is a great joy to go out in the field and watch this butterfly after a lengthy and boring winter.

                                 (Uonuma-shi, Niigata, JAPAN, May 2012)

[Movie File] The Labyrinth (Neope niphonica kiyosumiensis)

  
   This sub-species of Neope niphonica was described by Mr. Mayumi Takahashi who is a well-known expert on the study of Asian Satyridae. The distribution is confined to Boso Peninsula, Kanto district, central Japan. Boso Peninsula was once an isolated island by sea. This population is thought to have been isolated from nominotypical subspecies when Boso Peninsula became the “island”. Similar example is found in Ussuriana stygiana whose population in Boso Peninsula has distinct wing markings.

(Ichihara-shi, Chiba, JAPAN, May 2012)

▲The distrubution of Neope niphonica (Shirozu, 2006)

   For more information, see the following links.

On Neope niphonica BUTLER (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) in the Boso Peninsula, Central Japan, with description of a new subspecies (I)

   http://goo.gl/ZSooz

Notes on the Chromosomes of Neope niphonica kiyosumiensis TAKAHASHI et AOYAMA (Lepidoptera, Satyridae)

   http://goo.gl/YXop2

On Neope niphonica BUTLER (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) in the Boso Peninsula, Central Japan, with description of a new subspecies (III)

  http://goo.gl/6zuIX

[Movie File] The Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

  When you enjoy watching or chasing butterflies in the field, The Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) always accompanies you. This butterfly flies swiftly on the ground but often settles on flowers or leaves. It is very easy to come close and take photos.

(Ichihara-shi, Chiba, JAPAN, May 2012)

[Movie File] Asian Duskywing (Erynnis montanus)

   From this post, several movie files of Japanese butterfly which tells the spring will be introduced. The first one is Asian Duskywing (Erynnis montanus). This species is found from almost everywhere in Japan except southernmost islands. It appears only in early spring. Many people must mistake this dull-colored skipper for the kind of moth because it usually settles with wings open flat. Larval hostplant is Fagaceae. The butterfly filmed in this video should be a female because its forewings have creamy bands.

(Akiruno-shi, Tokyo, JAPAN, April 2012)

The story of a great explorer --- “Boys be adventurous!” PART 2

▲Bali Butterfly Park (Taman Kupu-kupu), which Mr. Detati founded (Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia)

The story of a great explorer

      --- “Boys be adventurous!” PART 2

    The last post introduced the discovery of Detani’s Great Orange Tip (Hebomoia leucippe detanii) by Mr. Detani Hiromi, a Japanese great explorer. In sequel to the previous post, here the author would like to add an interesting story told by Mr. Detani to him when he visited Bali island, Indonesia, and had the opportunity to see him in November 2011.

   Now Mr. Detani lives close to the Bali (Dempasar) airport. With the export permit from the Indonesian Government, he sells various insect specimens chiefly from Indonesia to all over the world. He is busy managing his company, using several Indonesian employees.

▲Mr. Detani and his staff

   Mr. Detani told the following story.
  

   "Recently my business faces very severe situation because it is hard to find able collectors and the cost for dispatching them is higher than ever. The “Golden era” was 5 years from 1991. In the 1980’s I myself went collecting specimens on various islands, but in the 1990’s I started to send collectors to islands. At that time I was hiring about 30 collectors a month. Suppose you hire 5 men. Here in Indonesia, at least one out of the five does not go to the place where I ordered to visit. He only gets the payment in advance and spends it right away. One or two will go but come back only with poor results. But if one staff is successful, I can get enough profit. Those are the days in the golden era. From 1992 to 1993, insect specimens were gathered from 200 islands.

    From 2000, it became difficult to get profit because prices were getting higher. Some able collectors quit and became fishermen aiming at expensive fishes. In addition, the seasonal cycles have become unpredictable since 1996 or around. The boundary between the dry season and the rainy season has become so vague that we cannot predict the good season for collecting the target insects. The last successful experience was in 1997 when Ornithoptera meridionalis, a very rare birdwing butterfly, was found from Timika, Irian Jaya. At that time many insect dealers rushed to my office in Bali to purchase the specimens.

    Now not only Japanese dealers but also European and American dealers are visiting my office. It is interesting that I can easily grasp the world economy trend by checking how often they come and buy specimens here. European dealers stopped coming as Euro became weaker around 2010.
　 I am making effort to check all the specimen stocks by using the office computer to meet the orders from customers immediately. I have been dealing approximately 2,500 species of butterflies and 1500 species of beetles and dragonflies. I would like to increase these numbers."

▲Mr. Detani Hiromi

   At his office numerous boxes are piled high everywhere, those boxes contain many rare and interesting species. For insect lovers his office is virtually a “treasure island”. Some enthusiasts spend all days of their stay in Bali by checking specimens from morning to night every day. They never go sightseeing although Bali is a world famous tourist spot.

▲Vast stock of specimens, arranged by each species

   Today “Detani” is a familiar name to insect lovers all over the world. Exploring extensively in Indonesia in his youthful days, Mr. Detani is now globally providing many attractive tropical insects for insects lovers. All the Japanese insect lovers are proud of this great explorer and hope his success from now on.

    At the center of the Bali island, there is the butterfly park which he established in 1996. Visitors can enjoy watching many birdwing butterflies such as Ornithoptera and Troides in the huge greenhouse. Last November when the author visited there, males and females of Ornithoptera priamus were flying gracefully. Please enjoy the following video.
    If you get a chance to visit Bali, go there and enjoy many tropical butterflies up close!