2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - MALAYAN LACEWING BUTTERFLY (Cethosia hypsea)

The Malay Lacewing is a very pretty butterfly. It is bright orange-red above with broad black borders. The wings are scalloped, giving the hindwings an almost sawtooth-like appearance. The undersides are orange-red with white fasciae and are spotted with black forming an intricate pattern which probably gives the origin of its name "Lacewing".

The butterfly is quite common in the nature reserves and can be found fluttering around flowering bushes like Prickly Lantana (Lantana camara) and the Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta indica) as shown in the photos.

The wine red caterpillar has long spines and is known to feed on Passion Fruit vine (Adenia spp.)

Cethosia hypsea, the Malay lacewing, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in from Burma to Indonesia and the Philippines.

The wingspan is about 80 mm.Adults are bright orange red above with broad black borders, warning predators of their toxicity. The underside is orange red with white fasciae and is spotted with black. The wings are scalloped.

The larvae feed on Adenia species. They are wine red and have long spines. They are also poisonous.

The forewings are black with a white subapical band beyond the cell; the basal area is orange-red for the male (with the red confined to the base of the wings) and black for the female (with a yellowish-white patch in mid space 1b). The hindwing is entirely orange-red (paler in the female) except for the scalloped black distal border. Underneath, the wings are orange-red with white fasciae and adorned with black spots. The forewing cell has several black-edged, pale blue transverse stripes. The wing borders are dark coloured and deeply indented with lace-like pattern of white markings. One distinguishing feature to separate Malay Lacewing from other Cethosia species is the absence of a white submarginal band on the hindwing underside.

The Malay Lacewing is essentially a forest dweller and its local occurrence is confined within the sanctuary of the nature reserves in the catchment areas. It is not uncommon in the reserves, and adults can be spotted visiting flowers of flowering plants such as Leea indica in forest clearings or alongside forest trails. At times, females can also be seen checking out leaves of various plants in search of an ovipositing site.

2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - MOTH ORCHID (Genus Phalaenopsis)

Phalaenopsis (/ˌfælɪˈnɒpsɪs/), also known as moth orchids, is a genus of about seventy species of plants in the family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with long, coarse roots, short, leafy stems and long-lasting, flat flowers arranged in a flowering stem that often branches near the end. Orchids in this genus are native to India, Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia with the majority in Indonesia and the Philippines.

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - MOUNTAIN BLACKEYE (Zosterops emiliae)

The mountain blackeye (Zosterops emiliae), sometimes referred to as the olive blackeye or simply black-eye, is a species of passerine bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to the highest mountains on the island of Borneo. It is known from both Malaysian states on the island, and four of the five Indonesian provinces, but has never been recorded in Brunei. Typically found at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft), the mountain blackeye sometimes moves to lower altitudes during periods of drought. There are four subspecies, which show clinal variations in size and coloring. Birds in the north are largest, darkest, and proportionately longer-tailed, while those further south are smaller, paler, and proportionately shorter-tailed. Adults are dark olive-green with a sharply-pointed, bright yellow-orange bill and a small dark mask connecting black lores with a black eye-ring. The subspecies show varying amounts of yellow in their plumage, particularly on the face and underparts. Young birds resemble their parents, but have less brightly colored bills.

It feeds on insects, nectar, pollen, and small fruits, and is a major pollinator of several species of Rhododendron. It is also a minor partner in a symbiotic relationship with the pitcher-plant Nepenthes lowii. Little is known about its breeding ecology. Its nest is a shallow cup made of rootlets and lined with bits of moss. The female lays a single egg, and the nestling takes 14–15 days to fledge after hatching. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as a species of least concern. Although its population has not been quantified, it is very common across much of its range.

2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - LOWER EPIDENDROIDEAE (Genus Dendrobium)

Dendrobium is a genus of mostly epiphytic and lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae. It is a very large genus, containing more than 1,800 species that are found in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Vietnam and many of the islands of the Pacific. Orchids in this genus have roots that creep over the surface of trees or rocks, rarely having their roots in soil. Up to six leaves develop in a tuft at the tip of a shoot and from one to a large number of flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem. Several attempts have been made to separate Dendrobium into smaller genera, but most have not been accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - GARDEN BALSAM (Impatiens balsamina)

 Impatiens balsamina, commonly known as balsam, garden balsam, rose balsam, touch-me-not[1] or spotted snapweed, is a species of plant native to India and Myanmar.

8-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MEDITERRANEAN PALE GLOW-WORM (Nyctophila reichii)

Nyctophila reichii, the Mediterranean firefly, is a species of firefly. The species is very common in the southern and eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

 

7-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (JUVENILE) (Tarentola mauritanica)

Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas (in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and California). A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance. 

10-7-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea eugeniata)

Idaea eugeniata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in Italy, France, Andorra, Spain, Portugal and North Africa.

The wingspan is 21–22 mm for males and 24–25 mm for females.

The larvae are polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on various herbaceous plants.

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - CHESTNUT WINGED BABBLER (Cyanoderma erythropterum)

The chestnut-winged babbler (Cyanoderma erythropterum) is a babbler species in the family Timaliidae. It occurs in the Malay Peninsula from southern Thailand to Singapore, and in Sumatra. It inhabits forests and shrublands up to an elevation of 800 m (2,600 ft). It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

It is chestnut-brown with a greyish face and underparts, and is 12.5–13.5 cm (4.9–5.3 in) long. It feeds on small Coleoptera beetles, Phasmida insects, ants, and Hemiptera bugs.

Timalia erythroptera was the scientific name proposed by Edward Blyth in 1842 for an olive-brown babbler from Nepal. It was later placed in the genus Stachyris, but since 2020 is recognised as a Cyanoderma species. The grey-hooded babbler (C. bicolor) of Borneo was formerly considered conspecific.

2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - CARRUTHER'S FALSE FACE (Pseuderanthemum carruthersii)

 Pseuderanthemum carruthersii, the Carruthers' falseface, is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is native from the Solomon Islands to Vanuatu.

2-6-2023 BALI BUTTERFLY PARK - SACRED LOTUS (Nelumbo nucifera)

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, Laxmi lotus, Indian lotus, or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. It is sometimes colloquially called a water lily, though this more often refers to members of the family Nymphaeaceae.

Lotus plants are adapted to grow in the flood plains of slow-moving rivers and delta areas. Stands of lotus drop hundreds of thousands of seeds every year to the bottom of the pond. While some sprout immediately, and most are eaten by wildlife, the remaining seeds can remain dormant for an extensive period of time as the pond silts in and dries out. During flood conditions, sediments containing these seeds are broken open, and the dormant seeds rehydrate and begin a new lotus colony.

Under favorable circumstances, the seeds of this aquatic perennial may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from seeds 1,300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China. Therefore, the Chinese regard the plant as a symbol of longevity.

17-5-2023 PORING HOT SPRINGS, BORNEO - VELVET FRONTED NUTHATCH (Sitta frontalis)

 The velvet-fronted nuthatch (Sitta frontalis) is a small passerine bird in the nuthatch family Sittidae found in southern Asia from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka ‍and Bangladesh east to south China and Indonesia. Like other nuthatches, it feeds on insects in the bark of trees, foraging on the trunks and branches and their strongly clawed toes allow them to climb down tree trunks or move on the undersides of horizontal branches. They are found in forests with good tree cover and are often found along with other species in mixed-species foraging flocks. Adult males can be told apart by the black stripe that runs behind and above the eyes. They have a rapid chipping call note. They breed in tree cavities and holes, often created by woodpeckers or barbets.

26-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - BORNEO WHITE LIPPED FROG (Chalcorana raniceps)

Chalcorana raniceps inhabits a broad range of lowland primary and secondary rainforest habitats. It breeds in ponds, intermittent streams, and quiet side pools of streams. Males call in small groups from twigs and vegetation 0.5–1.5 m above the ground.

 

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - ORBWEAVER SPIDER (Gasteracantha mengei)

Gasteracantha mengei is a species of spider in the spiny orb-weaver genus Gasteracantha. Its range includes Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and Sumatra in Indonesia.

 

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - NORTH BORNEAN GREY GIBBON (Hylobates funereus)

As arboreal primates, northern gray gibbons spend the majority of their time in the forest canopy, rarely descending to the ground. They prefer mature primary and secondary forests, including Borneo's tropical evergreen dipterocarp forests, which provide them with safety and abundant fruit.

The Northern Grey Gibbon (Hylobates funereus) [also known as North Borneo Gibbon] is a small species of gibbon endemic to the tropical rainforests of northern and eastern Borneo. This species was previously considered a subspecies of Mueller’s Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri funereus) [ aka Bornean Gibbon] but has recently been recognized as a distinct species.

Similar to other gibbon species, Northern Grey Gibbons are highly vocal. The ‘great call’ of the female is characterized by accelerating whoops followed by a rapid series of bubbly notes. Male-female duets are an iconic sound of the Bornean rainforest at dawn.

 

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - FLAT BACKED MILLIPEDE (Genus Stenoniodes)

Stenoniodes, commonly known as the Borneo tractor millipede, is a genus of millipede in the family Platyrhacidae. It contains six species, five of which occur on Borneo and one on Sibutu Island. Its common name originates from the likeness of its 20-segmented body to the tread of a tractor's tyre.

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU NAT PRK, BORNEO - BLACK CAPPED WHITE EYE (Zosterops atricapilla)

The black-capped white-eye (Zosterops atricapilla) is a small passerine from the family Zosteropidae.

It can reach a length between nine and eleven centimetres and looks slightly similar to the Sangkar white-eye. The back is olive green and the iris is brown. The bill and the feet are coloured black. The voice is characterized by soft twitters.

It inhabits mountain forests and alpine meadows in altitudes between 700 and 3000 m on mountains of Sumatra, and Borneo (especially Mount Kinabalu, Gunung Mulu, and Mount Batu Patap). 

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - YELLOW BELLIED PRINIA (Prinia flaviventris)

The yellow-bellied prinia (Prinia flaviventris) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is found in Pakistan, the southern Himalayan foothills, the northeastern Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABALU, BORNEO - WHITEHEAD'S BROADBILL (Calyptomena whiteheadi)

Whitehead's broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi) is a species of bird in the family Calyptomenidae. It is endemic to the mountain ranges of north-central Borneo, where it mainly inhabits montane forests and forest edges at elevations of 900–1,700 m (3,000–5,600 ft). It is 24–27 cm (9.4–10.6 in) long, with males weighing 142–171 g (5.0–6.0 oz) and females weighing 150–163 g (5.3–5.7 oz). Males are vivid green and have a black throat patch, black spots on the ear-coverts and back of the neck, and black markings and streaking all over the body. The tails and flight feathers are also blackish. Females are smaller and lack the black markings on the head and underparts. Juveniles look similar to adults but have fewer black markings.

Described by the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1887, Whitehead's broadbill is named after the British explorer John Whitehead. It mainly feeds on fruit and supplements its diet with insects. Breeding probably occurs from March to June, with clutches containing one or two eggs. Although it is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is threatened by habitat destruction and its population is thought to be decreasing.

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - BORNEAN AND PHILIPPINE PALM CIVET (Paradoxurus philippinensis ssp. philippinensis)

Paradoxurus is a genus of three palm civets within the viverrid family that was denominated and first described by Frédéric Cuvier in 1822. The Paradoxurus species have a broad head, a narrow muzzle with a large rhinarium that is deeply sulcate in the middle. Their large ears are rounded at the tip. The tail is nearly as long as the head and body.

The three species are the Asian palm civet, the Golden palm civet, and the Brown palm civet. 

Comparison of morphological data indicate that the Asian palm civet comprises three major clades that should be recognized as separate species: namely one in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (as Paradoxurus hermaphroditus sensu stricto), one in Sumatra, Java and other small islands (Paradoxurus musanga), and the third in the Philippines and the Mentawai Islands (Paradoxurus philippensis). Genetic data, however, do not support species level distinction.

Philippine Palm Civet is a member of civet family which are carnivorous but also loves to eat fruits. This is the reason why they are living in forest with many fruit trees. Palm civets are also into coffee which made the famous and one of the expensive coffee beans - Kopi Luwak. Unfortunately, this made palm civet vulnerable in addition to forest degradation and hunting.

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - RHINOCEROS HORNBILL (Buceros rhinoceros)

The rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) is a large species of forest hornbill (Bucerotidae). In captivity it can live for up to 35 years. It is found in lowland and montane, tropical and subtropical climates and in mountain rain forests up to 1,400 metres in Borneo, Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, and southern Thailand.

The rhinoceros hornbill is the state bird of the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the country's national bird. Some Dayak people, especially the Ibanic groups, believe it to be the chief of worldly birds or the supreme worldly bird, and its statue is used to welcome the god of the augural birds, Sengalang Burong, to the feasts and celebrations of humankind. Contrary to some misunderstandings, the rhinoceros hornbill does not represent their war god, who is represented in this world by the brahminy kite. It is featured on the reverse of the 5 Malaysian ringgit bill.

Majestic and stately inhabitant of mature lowland and foothill forests. Pitch black with a white tail marked by a single dark bar. Enormous bill is bright orange with a prominent casque that is short and rectangular in females, long and upswept in males. Often seen in powerful flight over forests, typically in pairs or small groups. Gives low, resonant calls, usually in series: either a single-syllabled “rohh” or a disyllabic “roh-ow.”

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE (Spilornis cheela)

The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in forested habitats across tropical Asia. Within its widespread range across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia, there are considerable variations and some authorities prefer to treat several of its subspecies as completely separate species. In the past, several species including the Philippine serpent eagle (S. holospila), Andaman serpent eagle (S. elgini) and South Nicobar serpent eagle (S. klossi) were treated as subspecies of the Crested serpent eagle. All members within the species complex have a large looking head with long feathers on the back of the head giving them a maned and crested appearance. The face is bare and yellow joining up with the ceres while the powerful feet are unfeathered and heavily scaled. They fly over the forest canopy on broad wings and tail have wide white and black bars. They call often with a loud, piercing and familiar three or two-note call. They often feed on snakes, giving them their name and are placed along with the Circaetus snake-eagles in the subfamily Circaetinae.

The crested serpent eagle is a reptile eater which hunts over forests, often close to wet grassland, for snakes and lizards. It has also been observed to prey on birds, amphibians, mammals, fishes, termites and large earthworms. It is found mainly over areas with thick vegetation both on the low hills and the plains. This species is a resident species, but in some parts of their range they are found only in summer.

27-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - COLONEL BUTTERFLY ( Pandita sinope)

Pandita sinope sinope is the only representative of its genus in Malaysia and Singapore. It is confined to lowland forest and frequents the same localities as the Athyma and Moduza species. The butterfly is relatively active and is a rapid flyer like the Athyma species. It is alert and is not easily captured except when feeding at the blooms of flowering bushes. The caterpillar is believed to feed on Uncaria species.

 

29-5-2023 TABIN RESERVE, BORNEO - MALAYSIAN BLUE FLYCATCHER (MALE) (Cyornis turcosus)

The Malaysian blue flycatcher (Cyornis turcosus) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Small flycatcher with brilliant blue upperparts, a pale orange throat and chest, and a white belly. Slightly paler female has a whitish throat, while male’s is blue; sexes are otherwise quite similar. Head is fairly uniformly blue, without boldly lighter or darker patches, unlike in many other “blue flycatchers”. Pale and restricted orange also serves as a helpful identifying feature. A lowland species, restricted to secluded riverine forests in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, but found in a variety of dry and wet forests on Borneo. Song is a short smooth series of drawn-out piping whistles.

 

16-5-2023 KOTA KINABULU NAT PRK, BORNEO - BORNEAN LEAFBIRD (Chloropsis kinabaluensis)

The Bornean leafbird (Chloropsis kinabaluensis), also known as the Kinabalu leafbird, is a species of bird in the family Chloropseidae. It is found in humid forest in Borneo, to which it is endemic (elevated areas, including the Meratus Mountains). It has traditionally been considered a subspecies of the blue-winged leafbird (C. cochinchinensis), but differ in measurements and morphology, the female Bornean leafbird having a distinctive male-like plumage. The distribution of the two are known to approach each other, but there is no evidence of intergradation.