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Dark Blue Tiger feeding on flower, Sri Lanka One of a few hundred I saw in a small area, just some shrubs behind a motel. Although they are large, they are still hard to photograph, they are constantly on the move, escape at the slightest movement and only feed a second or 2 on a single flower during the hot times of the day, which is pretty much the entire day. Asia,Dark Blue Tiger,Sri Lanka,Tirumala septentrionis,Wasgamuwa

Dark Blue Tiger feeding on flower, Sri Lanka

One of a few hundred I saw in a small area, just some shrubs behind a motel. Although they are large, they are still hard to photograph, they are constantly on the move, escape at the slightest movement and only feed a second or 2 on a single flower during the hot times of the day, which is pretty much the entire day.

comments (4)

WildFlower

Lion

This is Tirumala septentrionis
http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/media_images/TirumalaParantica/03TirumalaSeptentrionis_GauravAgavekar_aa130.jpg
http://ftp.funet.fi/index/Tree_of_life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/danainae/tirumala/septentrionis_septentrionis-2mbv.jpg Posted 10 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  I'm open to the idea, but I'd like to learn why? What makes you think this is not the Ceylon one? I've seen many photos virtually identical to my own shot all classified as the Ceylon. Posted 10 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    OK, I'll try to explain with a few more references. The first reference compares two species of Tirumala, but you can see the V stripes in the HW cell in the middle of the hind wing. In Tirumala septentrionis this V is empty while in Ideopsis similis there is one more stripe in the middle of the V. The stipes around this V are also different. The ones next to the scent scale pouch form smaller V or W in Tirumala septentrionis while in Ideopsis similis there is a single stripe there. This is a male Tirumala septentrionis, can you see the differences now?
    http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/images/id_keys/TirumalaLimniaceTirumalaSeptentrionis_GauravAgavekar_ag161.jpg
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideopsis_similis#mediaviewer/File:Ceylon_Blue_Glassy_Tiger_Ideopsis_similis_%E7%90%89%E7%90%83%E6%B5%85%E8%91%B1%E6%96%91%28%E3%83%AA%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AE%E3%83%9E%E3%83%80%E3%83%A9%29.jpg
    http://lepidoptera.pro/gallery/20795
    http://www.samuibutterflies.com/insects/butterflies/danainae/ideopsissimilispersimilis/ Posted 10 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thank you, I definitely did not take it that far as to compare by a single mark, did not know how to do that, but know I do. Thanks for the education! Posted 10 years ago

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The Dark Blue Tiger

The Dark Blue Tiger is a Danaid butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia.

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by WildFlower

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved

Uploaded Jan 27, 2015. Captured Nov 9, 2014 10:08.

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NIKON D800
f/8.0
1/400s
ISO400
105mm