While on the topic, allow me to share some photos from an individual I've been following on Twitter. He is a collector and breeder based in Okinawa who - for the past few years, it seems - has been selectively breeding P. agenor in order to produce individuals with extreme white pigmentation. He can ...

While on the topic of T. magellanus , I would like to ask if anyone knows if there is a way to visually distinguish the nominate subspecies and T. magellanus sonani ? While a specimen's collection data would more accurately and definitively put that matter to rest, I was wondering if there was a ...

Thank you!


I think it is better not to try to flatten the antennae of butterflies if they are not naturally straight.


I generally try to straighten out my antennae, as I find it more visually pleasing, in addition to being a fulfilling challenge. My reasoning is that it's generally understood ...

As for the larger, flashier stuff, here are two species that need no introduction:


Trogonoptera trojana


Troides plateni

The four specimens pictured here were produced from captive breeding on Palawan.

I’ll bet you have some fabulous smaller endemics on Cebu


Indeed we do! However, my collection is currently limited to the more common species. I have a few collecting spots located in urban and suburban areas, and have not yet had the opportunity to venture into our mountains in search of the ...

Personal gripes with pre-dried specimens aside, I have since sought the advice of an acquaintance who has had success in collecting this species on Cebu island, which is where I live. Apparently, there are a few spots about an hour's drive from the city where these winged jewels still fly. I hope to ...

For your consideration is a male specimen of Troides magellanus collected in April of 2023 in Aurora Province, Philippines. This species is my personal favorite - I hope that viewing the images that follow will adequately justify my opinion. It is a truly magnificent species of birdwing. Females are ...

Throwing my hat into the ring with this Papilo (Chilasa) osmana , a species which (if I recall correctly) is restricted to northeastern Mindanao as well as southern Leyte in the Philippines. These localities consist of adjacent islands (and lesser islets) which are separated by about 20 kilometers ...

Here's a few Sphingids of mine, fresh off the board - Hippotion celerio , raised from larvae that had been ravaging some potted Caladiums in my garden. While in captivity, I fed them Alocasia macrorrhizos along with the Caladium spp. I found them on, the latter of which they seemed to prefer.

http ...

http://i.imgur.com/l7SrocZ.jpg

Recently I reared a few specimens of Papilio demoleus libianus from early instar larvae collected from Citrus × microcarpa in my garden. They were reared concurrently and I believe they come from the same brood. I decided to set aside one of them to perform a little ...

Some more highlights from the few weeks:

http://i.imgur.com/tvW2bhg.jpg
A female Troides rhadamantus .

http://i.imgur.com/w8Km5Kr.jpg
A female Vindula dejone . This species is quite difficult to catch due to their flighty nature, and this is only my first female of this species. It has a very ...

Hello all -

I'm starting a new thread dedicated to sharing photos of recently caught specimens. Hopefully this will function as something of a collecting diary, albeit just the highlights. Others are encouraged to share - let's see what everyone's netted lately!

http://i.imgur.com/vqrcIoG.jpg ...

I'm no expert, but I believe these are at least a visual match to Halyomorpha halys , otherwise known as the brown marmorated stink bug. This (invasive) species has gained some notoriety in North America due to its status as an agriculturally significant pest: It is native to East Asia, but was ...

Here's another recent highlight:
http://i.imgur.com/7Z3260c.jpg
A female Troides rhadamantus in perfect condition (save for a few light scuff marks on the wings) caught yesterday, 18 - x - 2024 on Cebu Island, Philippines. These are a favorite of mine - as much as I adore mounted specimens, it's ...

Chuck,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will look into that.

Thank you all for your replies regarding collection maintenance and pest control.


I'm down to my last two tins

That is a real shame. I'm sorry that you feel compelled to part with your collection due to what should have been a routine/trivial matter (i.e. acquiring supplies).


Are 'no-pest ...

For your consideration: A possibly aberrant male specimen of Hypolimnas bolina philippensis , mounted verso so as to showcase what I believe to be atypical coloration for this species. This is one of the most common Nymphalids in the entirety of the Philippines - I myself have probably seen hundreds ...

These plants are an ecological "double-edged sword", but I can attribute a decent chunk of my Lepidoptera collection to the fact that there are a few bushes across the street from where I live

Spectacular work!

Thank you very much for making this book publicly accessible - it will no doubt serve as a valuable reference to many.

The photographs alone are wondrous, not to mention the detailed descriptive text!

and of course this increases the risk of Psocids attacking the specimens


Thank you very much for your advice. This is precisely why joining this board is so valuable as a relative newcomer to insect collecting - for expert insight!

Indeed, I've had some trouble with Psocids before, but then I ...