Photos
of Butterflies and Moths of Southern Thailand
Few living things in Southern Thailand
can rival the beauty of the many species of butterflies
and moths. Plus, they're everywhere. From Khao Sok Naitonal
Park, to Khao Nor Chuchi, to the smaller parks and the
islands.
It
is common to come upon a group of mixed species of butterflies
on the ground. In most cases, they're after the salt left
in the dried urine of animals. Of course, the many species
of flowers that decorate the Kingdom are also a wonderful
places for butterfly and moth encounters.
Two
very easy places to see butterflies is Raman Forest Park
and Manora Forest Park in Phang Nga Province. For some
wonderful reason, butterflies are extremely common here.
Butterflies and moths vary in size from the tiniest to
the massive Atlas Moth. They're all interesting.
1.) Ideopsis similis (family: Nymphalidae),
sometimes called "Blue Glassy Tiger", male; common,
widespread Asian relative of the Monarch butterfly.
2.) Same as #1
3.) Lyssa zampa (Uraniidae), no common name;
not a butterfly, but a moth; nocturnal but often flushed
from vegetation by people walking through the forest.
4.) Lexias dirtea (Nymphalidae), often called
"Archduke", male.
5.) Pachliopta coon (Papilionidae), "Common
clubtail", male; many subspecies; ranges form NE India
though the Malay Peninsula.
6.) Same as #4
7.) Euploea mulciber (Nymphalidae), "Striped
blue crow", male; another common Asian relative of
the Monarch.
8.) Anagnia sp. (Arctiidae), a moth with no
common name.
9.) Attacus atlas (Saturniidae), "Atlas
Moth", male; common silk moth throughout tropical and
subtropical Asia.
Scientific
names, common names and additional info provided by Dr. Jason
Weintraub of Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences
and
Mr. Ted Lewis of Philadelphia.
It
is common to come upon a group of mixed species of butterflies
on the ground. In most cases, they're after the salt left
in the dried urine of animals. Of course, the many species
of flowers that decorate the Kingdom are also a wonderful
places for butterfly and moth encounters.
