A month ago or so the California Academy of Sciences launched a full fledged expedition to the Philippines. Wakati pesa nyingi zilitumika kwenye meli ya kukamata na timu za kupiga mbizi, kulikuwa na sehemu ya nchi kavu. Wakati sikuweza kwenda (na kukaa nyumbani na kupiga kelele), I did talk some of my spider colleagues into collecting lepidoptera for me. Rarely do I say this, but they did a wonderful job collecting leps, and I am slowly working through their bounty (thanks to Nataliya, Vanessa and Hannah!). Here is one of the few butterflies they caught – and I’m thinking this even came into light since it was packed with the moths (which butterflies occasionally do). This stunning Lycaenidae is Catapaecilma evansi, identified by David (indowings) over on InsectNet, shukrani!
Catapaecilma evansi (Lycaenidae)
wow. That is SO beautiful!! Sounds like your friends rock. Looking forward to seeing more.
There is a lot more being developed. To be posted soon.