Moths in Hong Kong

While searching for butterflies, I have also found that the moths in Hong Kong are surprisingly colourful too. In fact there are about 2200 species recorded in Hong Kong so far, which is almost 10 times more than the number of butterfly species.
     I have managed to photograph just over a dozen types this summer. Unfortunately not all of them are named. Any suggestions for identification would be appreciated.

Abraxas illuminata 

Amata germana (Wasp Moth) 

Corymica arnearia 

Pingasa rubicaunda  

Retina rubrivitta

 

Trypanophora semihyalina 

Obeidia tigrata(Leopard Looper moth) 

Micronia aculeata 

Scopula limboundata (Large Lace-border)

Dysphania militaris (False Tiger Moth)

Lyssa zampa (Tropical Swallowtail Moth)-- a giant, wingspan up 16cm 

Unidentified A

                         
B

C

D

E

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Common Hong Kong Butterflies

Although Hong Kong is a tiny place of just over 1000 km2 (about 420 sq mile) in landmass (UK=240,000km2), it is a home to more than 240 butterfly species. So similar to humans, the butterfly is rather densely populated too, much to my delight.

In addition to the Swallowtail butterflies, I have recently managed to photograph several common species.   

Indian Fritillary Male (Nymph)

Common Mapwing (Nymph)

   
Constable (Nymph)  

 
Gaudy Baron Female (Nymph)

Gaudy Baron Male (Nymph)

Chocolate Pansy (Nymph)

Staff Sergeant (Nymph)

Yellow Rajah(Nymph)

 
Banded Tree Brown (Brown)  

 
Dark Evening Brown(Brown)

Muirhead's Labyrinth (Brown)

Blue Glassy Tiger (Crow)

Chestnut Angel (Skipper)

Indian Palm Bob  (Skipper)

Greenish Palm Dart (Skipper)

Tree Flitter (Skipper)

 
Restricted Demon (Skipper)

Purple Sapphire (Male) (Blue)

Punchinello (Metalmark)

More photos at Google+

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The Life Of Common Rose Swallowtail Butterflies

I have been trying to document the full life cycle of butterflies for sometime. After weeks of searching, I have finally photographed a life cycle of Common Rose----a swallowtail butterfly, thanks to a nature education park near my home.


The Common Rose butterfly is one of my favourite swallowtails even though it is a common species in South and Southeast Asia.  

Its striking red body and the bright red marks on the wings make it stand out not only in its environment but also in the swallowtail family.

The pretty colouration may seem beautiful to us humans but to its predators, it is a warning sign which indicates “poison”.  

In fact, this butterfly is inedible because of the poisons it has obtained from its caterpillar food plant. Its predators seem to be well informed of the danger and often leave this butterfly alone. This strategy works so well that some edible swallowtail butterflies have even learned to mimic its appearance.

When the sun is hot, this butterfly prefers to rest in the shade which gives me the opportunity to get very close.

The egg of Common Rose is very colourful too.

The caterpillar inside this egg seems to be coming out any minute.

The life of the larva, with its poison at hand, is also high profile.  

The pupas, on the other hand, are usually well hidden in small trees not far from its larva plant.

More Images at Google+

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