Bhutan Butterflies

[Sonam Dorji]

Hi Everyone,

I am a nature enthusiast from Bhutan. I have documenting butterfly diversity of Bhutan for quite a long time. I would like to share my pics and info of Butterfly diversity of Bhutan. Hope you all enjoy them.

rgds,
Sonam Dorji

[Padfield]

Hi Sonam, and welcome. A lot of us at UK Butterflies are fascinated by world butterflies and we look forward to more of your postings. Beautiful butterflies.

You must be able to guess which species we really hope you will post some pictures of ...

Guy

[Tony Moore]

Bhutan Glory???

T.M.

[Padfield]

Bhutan Glory???

The same. Something I've dreamt of seeing since I was a child.

Guy

[bugboy]

Bhutan Glory???

The same. Something I've dreamt of seeing since I was a child.

Guy

*goes into a dreamlike trance state*

[Sonam Dorji]

Thanks all, I don't have a good pic of Bhutan Glory but will do so soon. They fly quite high. But it is quite common. They appear from August till mid October.

[NickMorgan]

Welcome Sonam. Wow, what fantastic butterflies. Thank you for sharing them with us. I look forward to seeing more in the future.

[Chris Jackson]

Hi Sonam,
I thought I lived in a different world (South of France), but you live on a different planet.
Chris

[Sonam Dorji]

Thanks Nick n Chris. Will keep u all updated with pics n info

[Jack Harrison]

Welcome from me in Scotland UK.

How popular is butterfly watching/photography in Bhutan?

Butterflies have become increasingly popular here since good digital cameras became available. Bird watching is probably more poplar - birding is a all-year activity whereas butterflies are most obvious only in summer. Of course many people follow both interests.

Bhutan Glory looks fantastic. For those like me who didn't know of this amazing butterfly, here is a link:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kyyUJ6-y2s/V ... udlowi.png

Jack

[Sonam Dorji]

Hi Jack butterfly watching n photography is still at a nascent stage. It is better with people working in nature conservation in the govt but very less among the general public.
Birding is popular be coz of tourists.
Rgds
Sonam

[Tony Moore]

Another picture of the stunning Bhutan Glory courtesy of a member of the Singapore Butterfly Circle (well worth a look on Facebook).

Tony M.

[Padfield]

If I'm not mistaken, Jack and Tony have pointed us at two different species of Bhutan Glory - B. ludlowi and B. lidderdalii respectively.

Back to you, Sonam! We look forward to pictures of any species, as well as any tales you have to tell about them.

Guy

[Sonam Dorji]

Dear Padfeild,

What u said is true. There are two species of bhutanitis. Bhutan glory is b. liderdellai (sorry for the spelling) n the other one is b.ludlowi. The second was declared as the national butterfly of Bhutan 2011. This species is recorded from one area in Bhutan n is quite rare. It was thought to be found in Bhutan only but it has been seen in India n Myanmar recently. The other n actual Bhutan glory is common n found in western, central, eastern Bhutan. The ludlowi appears earlier than the lider... Appear around August end.

Sure, more pictures will follow. Right now am in a place where the net is slow n am unable to upload pics.
Sonam

[Sonam Dorji]

Hi everyone,

These are pics from my collections.

rgds,
Sonam

[Sonam Dorji]

Some more butterfly pics for Bhutan.

[Sonam Dorji]

Additional pics from Bhutan

[bugboy]

Bhutan has suddenly shot up on my list of places I want to go!

[Sonam Dorji]

Eastern Courtier, Commonly found.

[Sonam Dorji]

Trashiyangtse district lies in Eastern Bhutan close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This is the place where the Ludlow's Bhutan Glory was found again in 2011. During the survey, another species, Bhutan Treebrown was also found. The Ludlow's Bhutan Glory specimen was brought in UK by British Explorer Frank Ludlow in about 1938-1939 (date not exactly sure) and in 1942 was declared as the new species. I think the specimen is still there at NHM, London. This species B. ludlowi is locally called as Ludlow's Bhutan Glory and is often confused with the other species. B. Lidderdalii, which is the actual Bhutan Glory. I am told researchers have found a moth species that mimics Bhutan Glory.

This area is restricted as it lies close to the border. I have been exploring other parts of the place for almost five days. Rain is a great hindrance but when sun comes out, I rush out. The pictures (Great Blackvein and Pale Jezebel) posted below are very very commonly found and in large numbers.