Rice paper butterflies of the genus (Idea) are some of the largest and charasmatic butterflies of southeast Asia. Most or virtually all are of a black/white color combination and have a large wing area in relation to their body size. Some are widespread as species whilst many more are localized or r...

Here are 3 more species recently removed from the boards. Each is a delight to have... https://i.imgur.com/0Y2TQrG.jpeg Cyrestis camillus --- an amazingly attractive species ! https://i.imgur.com/ExdvjZM.jpeg Colotis antivippe zera *my 2nd Colotis species. https://i.imgur.com/Rkoum9l.jpeg Belenois c...

Mantids have a character all their own. They have a noble way about them in their appearance. They are watchful, patient, and calculating predators which have captured our imaginations for a very long time. Their order Mantodea numbers just over 2400 species in 15 families and in 430 genera. I have ...

Here is another wonderful and large species of Giant Scoliid Wasp (Megascolia procer) of the family Scoliidae. It has a wide range across many countries of southeast Asia as well as Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. This male was re-spread by me using glass strips stacked under the wings for (a level plane...

The Clipper is a fast-flying butterfly which is found mostly within forested areas of many countries in southeast Asia. There are a whole "pile" of named subspecies and some exhibit extraordinary bluish coloration/highlights. This one pictured is my first of the species and it certainly be...

Hello John K, Thank you so much for your kind remarks ! Nice to hear that you also find them a challenge to catch. I will have to look into that book you mentioned. It sounds like THE BIBLE on beeflies. The only thing is I just don't know how much use I could ever have for such a book to justify wha...

You know, Texas is well below the "frost line" of the Northern tier of states so, I could see Pieridae as having a much longer lived life span as adults. Perhaps many months and they are pretty tough butterflies in that they can take periods (of a certain measure of cold) which would likel...

It has been awile since this topic was first addressed. While I don't dabble much with the order Hymenoptera I still have to relate a certain fondness in the challenge of properly preparing them aethetically (life-like). Hymenoptera are greatly unappreciated as beautiful "in their own right&quo...

-- oh' my are you lucky to see butterflies so early !

Here are a few more species exhibiting more of that extraordinary diversity present in Uganda. Once again, many thanks to my good friend for his kindness in "gifting" me these specimens and for his tireless knowledge in identifying them for me. https://i.imgur.com/JEyg6XX.jpg Appias sylvia...

The flies of the family Bombyliidae are collectively known as Beeflies. Theirs is a large and cosmopolitan family which comprises hundreds of genera and at present numbers at least 4,500 species --- and counting. The greater number of these flies resemble bees and they vary in size from as little as...

My thoughts are that you could take each one and individually swirl them around "gingerly" in a deep bowl or cooking pot which has a fair measure of 70% rubbing alcohol placed in it. It should easily remove any dust or lint with the specimens coming clean. Therefore, no need to be concerne...

Thank you Cabintom for the details to my question !

You certainly know far more about the "lay of the land" over there and you have certainly come to know your African butterflies VERY well.

Much appreciated....

Cabintom, Thank you so much for your help with the last unidentified species I posted. Was wondering, if the varungas mountain range runs through Uganda (where the mountain gorillas live); then wouldn't this be a case of endemism where one would find some specific endemic species unique to only that...

All of the following specimens were kindly "gifted to me this past summer by a good friend and member here on the forum. Finally, I have been able to delve in to this rich supply of fantastic butterflies. Each and every species seems so diffrent from the next (or previous one) that I have to sa...

Our native Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) of the eastern seaboard is widespread throughout and common as butterfly species go. It is a bright and "cheery" species to encounter as it flashes brightly in the sunshine of clover-laden fields in mid-summer on through most of fall. It is duri...

I must admit that I have never tried preserving moth pupae however, I would be inclined to probably drop them in a bottle of 90% rubbing alcohol and leave them there for a couple of months and then pull them out and pin them. 90% rubbing alcohol really stiffens up anything you drop in it and by subm...

I like seeing the drawers that you do post (here and there) Chuck. You seem to have quite a few nice specimens there and still and all you are still very much aware of the differences of MOST of what you have there. I'm certain you could very easily just utilize another drawer and place the truly qu...

Has anyone here had any luck in finding any "wild" silkmoth cocoons thus far this winter ?

I cannot say as I have had any luck but, I still get out and investigate any clumps of leaves on tree branches or other "out of place" anomalies....

Hello Borearctia, BobW who is one of our global moderators has a specialized interest in this group so, I'm sure once he sees this post he will be able to answer your questions . He may possibly be able to even provide a photograph of the female since he has a mighty nice collection of Casniidae per...