Arhopala

[daveuk]

A. araxes araxes. Pair. Sulawesi
A. micale novaeguineae.Two males.West Papua
A. azenia. Pair.West Papua

[livingplanet3]

Vibrant blues!

[Cabintom]

These are really stunning! (understatement) What are the ventral surfaces like?

[Trehopr1]

Indeed, fabulous genus which I have been aware of. Have never acquired any myself and at least (over here) rather scarce amongst private collections (I have seen). I've only seen two in the last 20 years here. Perhaps, this is because many of the collections I have seen have tended to be "big butterfly" collections; with few offerings of the smaller things (lycaenids, small pierids, riodinids etc.)

They are fabulously blue !

Did you prepare these up yourself Dave or were you able to purchase these already prepared from an insect fair ?

Well done examples but, very difficult to work with from papered. My heart would probably "be in my throat" even attempting to dabble with these "honeys" myself.

[daveuk]

These are really stunning! (understatement) What are the ventral surfaces like?

The undersides are usually quite dull by comparison. Some species are attractively striped though. Will try & take pictures over the weekend.

[daveuk]

Indeed, fabulous genus which I have been aware of. Have never acquired any myself and at least (over here) rather scarce amongst private collections (I have seen). I've only seen two in the last 20 years here. Perhaps, this is because many of the collections I have seen have tended to be "big butterfly" collections; with few offerings of the smaller things (lycaenids, small pierids, riodinids etc.)

They are fabulously blue !

Did you prepare these up yourself Dave or were you able to purchase these already prepared from an insect fair ?

Well done examples but, very difficult to work with from papered. My heart would probably "be in my throat" even attempting to dabble with these "honeys" myself.

I set all these myself trehopr. It was/is a tricky business. I find that with all lycaenidae.They all came from Ken Thorne in Canada. It is a truly beautiful genus. I collected a couple of species myself while in tropical North Queensland, Australia. They were fairly common & could even be netted along certain sidewalks along side the road with the right vegetation. They look amazing on the wing. A picture of some of my self collected Australian ones. Arhopala micale amytis & Arhopala madytus. The smaller lycaenid is a male Nacaduba cyanea. Also self caught

[Trehopr1]

Bravo Dave, on setting those papered specimens. Some fine handy work and skill set indeed !

Wow, you made some amazing captures in Australia !! Some VERY fine specimens throughout ....

[58chevy]

What beauties! I'm packing my bags now for N. Queensland.

[daveuk]

What beauties! I'm packing my bags now for N. Queensland.

A lot of other fantastic butterflies there too 58chevy. Doubt you would be disappointed.
Arhopala larvae in that part of the world are tended by & live in association with Green tree ants. Lovely insects in themselves but not so lovely if they fall onto you from above while you are netting. Take my word for it. They are a common fairly large ant & aggressive.

[boghaunter1]

Beautiful Genus indeed, & excellent mounting of these delicate, precious & truly exquisite butterflies!

Off subject question daveuk... I have followed all of your wonderful pics here online & am, again, very impressed with all your specimens (of course!). I am also very impressed with the quality of your photos... what camera & lighting do you use? what megapixel size are your uploaded photos?, any final photo editing to get such beautiful end results? A brief explanation only required; if you already answered any questions like this previously... my apologies as I obviously missed it. Thanks again for showing us your immaculate collection.

John K.

[mothman55]

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Love the Arhopala, and many other South American Lycaenidae.

[daveuk]

Beautiful Genus indeed, & excellent mounting of these delicate, precious & truly exquisite butterflies!

Off subject question daveuk... I have followed all of your wonderful pics here online & am, again, very impressed with all your specimens (of course!). I am also very impressed with the quality of your photos... what camera & lighting do you use? what megapixel size are your uploaded photos?, any final photo editing to get such beautiful end results? A brief explanation only required; if you already answered any questions like this previously... my apologies as I obviously missed it. Thanks again for showing us your immaculate collection.

John K.

Thanks John for the kind words about my collection & photos.

All the photos on this "new" forum have been taken with my phone camera on my Samsung Galaxy A51 5G phone.
I use natural light. The specimens are put onto a piece of plastazote & I just take the photo. I then crop the photo. The filter I use on my phone is called "lolli" & it always gives the closest resemblance to the actual specimen I find.
I am the least technical person I know so it's more luck than judgement believe me !!

[daveuk]

Love the Arhopala, and many other South American Lycaenidae.

Beautiful lycaenidae collection you have there mothman.

[Trehopr1]

Wow, those are some AWESOME drawers mothman55 !

It's hard to beat a drawer of those shiny little "pennies from heaven"....

[58chevy]

Mothman 55, outstanding Lycaenidae collection! Would like to see more of your lep drawers.

[Paul K]

Arhopala is not easy to collect.
They don’t come to bait of any source.
They don’t come to flowers (well, they do but usually up high on the blooming tree)
Must be spotted on the leaf or so and netted.
Also if not in the right time very difficult to find perfect specimen.

[Paul K]

This is my favourite of Arhopala species

Arhopala eumolphus eumolphus

It is a male collected in Thailand, Chiang Mai, Phrao, Mae Pang.

[daveuk]

This is my favourite of Arhopala species
It is a male collected in Thailand, Chiang Mai, Phrao, Mae Pang.

Very nice Paul. I have A eumolphus. Lovely that you have a self collected one though!
This is another lovely green species. Arhopala trogon from Sumatra. Two of my three males purchased from Ken Thorne in Canada a few years ago

[daveuk]

Arhopala hercules.New Guinea.
As it's name suggests this is a large species.
A pair & A hercules hercules
A male A hercules leo. Recto & verso

[daveuk]

Arhopala thamyras anthore. Morotai. Four males. One verso
Arhopala thamyras anthelius. West Papua. Two males
Arhopala aexone. West Papua. Two females