Dot-dash sergeant in Borneo

One of my favorite things in the tropical rainforest are the butterflies (well, OK, all insects except mosquitos, really!), and it sometimes seems as if there are big colorful specimens everywhere - this one was in the garden of our jungle lodge in Borneo.

comments (7)

WildFlower

Lion

Do you have a top view of the wings? It is not so easy to compare them from this point of view but the spots look different to me.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/showbutterfly/81

This looks more like an Athyma or Neptis sp.
http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist/butterflies/Nymphalidae Posted 8 years ago, modified 8 years ago
1. Barry
  
  Lion
  
  First of all, thanks for taking such an interest in my insects - I am relatively new to insect identification, so any help is very welcome. Strangely enough, I have several others from the angle you suggest and they are all very clearly Archdukes, but I didn't use them because they weren't as interesting a picture. Now that I look at this one, I see your point and my guess would be the Common Sailor (Neptis Hylas), also because it is a common butterfly. Do you agree? Posted 8 years ago
2. 1. WildFlower
    
    Lion
    
    Although I suggested it could be a Neptis, now that I look at them more closely they don't have the white stripes on the body that this one has, only Athyma do. Another difference between them is the shape of the wings but that is also not obvious here. They are very similar and it is really difficult to compare the spots from this angle. Do you have any other angle of this specimen?
    http://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sp/480/Neptis-hylas
    https://www.nss.org.sg/butterflies_list/check_list.php?cl_mst_id=1&ac=v Posted 8 years ago, modified 8 years ago

Barry

Lion

Hi Wildflower, sorry that it has taken me so long, but I was very busy with work. After much searching and comparing photos, I agree with your second post and would say that it is Athyma kanwa. The spotting seems to match but even more convincing is that several photos on Google show the bluish tint to the white band nearest to the head (https://www.thaibutterflies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Athyma-kanwa-1080x675.jpg). What do you think? Posted 8 years ago

_ChunXingWong_

Lion

Hi Barry, all Athyma butterflies look alike so the patterns really have to be observed closely to tell them apart. It is not an Athyma kanwa because the first horizontal white band on it is not smooth like A. kanwa. Towards the end of the band before the gap between it and the triangular spot, you could see disturbance near the tip, making it not a smooth straight band. Athyma reta's patterns matches this one compared to other Athyma species and A. reta is more common too increasing the possibility of this species. Posted 4 years ago
1. Barry
  
  Lion
  
  Heh Chun, well you have convinced me. As I said, I am relatively new to insect identification and am still learning my way. Books and websites are not always very useful (unless you have some good suggestions). Recently on a trip to the montane forests in Ecuador, I got into a long discussion about identifying the local butterflies and when I asked whether there was a standard identification book to the butterflies of Ecuador (as for birdwatching), they just looked at me and laughed. Still, it does make it something of an adventure. Thanks for all your time and interest. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. _ChunXingWong_
    
    Lion
    
    Really hard to get good identification references for insects with lots of variations and also similarities between species. So for insect identifications in the end still needs some experience in identification and knowing lots of identification guides. At least here in JD we are all learning from each other bit by bit everyday. Posted 4 years ago

The Malay staff sergeant

''Athyma reta'', the Malay staff sergeant, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in tropical and subtropical Asia.

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Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by _ChunXingWong_

By Barry

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Uploaded May 20, 2017. Captured Oct 4, 2013 05:34 in Jl. Pasir Putih, Sungai Kapitan, Kumai, Kabupaten Kotawaringin Barat, Kalimantan Tengah 74181, Indonesia.

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
f/5.8
1/101s
ISO400
150.5mm