Catapaecilma subochrea - the Yellow Tinsel

Chiang Dao NS, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Lycaenidae
SubFamily : Theclinae
Genus : Catapaecilma
Species : Catapaecilma subochrea

Visit my website buttsandbugs.blogspot.co.uk

I first saw this species in 2015 and was lucky enough to see it again last year. It is still one of the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen.
This tiny hairstreak has a wing length of just around 10-12mm and so you can only see the intricate pattern on the underside of this amazing butterfly when you view it through your macro lens or on a computer. When it is in amongst other 'puddling' Lycaenidaes you can barely distinguish it from the other species unless you have exceptional eyesight. The upperside is rather plain in comparison to the intricate markings of the underside, just a patternless purple-brown. However the upperside is rarely seen as this butterfly keeps its wings firmly closed when not in flight.
It is a rare butterfly and distribution is limited from NE India through Myanmar to northern Thailand where it is recorded in only a few localities. Other Catapaecilma species are recorded in northern Thailand and further south through Malaysia and on to the Philippines but none of them are quite as impressive as this one. Recorded foodplant for one of the other Catapaecilma sp. is from the family Combretaceae and that may be the plant family also used by C.subochrea but as far as I know there has been no research done on this subject.

All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.

Taken in: Thailand / Chiang Mai / Chiang Dao (show map)

Taken on: March 7, 2016

Tags:

butterfly

mariposa

farfalla

Schmetterling

бабочка

Con bướm

ผีเสื้อ

animal

outdoor

insects

insect

Lepidoptera

macro

nature

Lycaenidae

Catapaecilma subochrea

Yellow Tinsel

Theclinae

wildlife

Chiang Dao NS

Chiang Mai

live insects

Thailand

Thailand butterflies

ผีเสื้อแวววาวเหลือง « less

Sets appears in: • 500+ Favourites • All Butterflies A-M more » • Butterflies of Thailand • All Thailand Insects • Lycaenidae • Chiang Dao Nature Sanctuary « less

Groups appears in: • Butterflies • Flickr Nature more » • Insect Photography • 105mm • Butterfly Color • Beautiful Capture • Butterfly Beauty • Butterflies' Elegance (invite only)...Please comment. • Capture Nature / No human elements / No Zoo shots or people in y • !!Perfect Composition!! • Insects of Thailand • Butterflies of Thailand • ` FLICKR ´ • Views: 50,000 • in explore • 1000 faves & more (Excellence group) - (No Group Limit) • The best photographs from around the world. • 21st Century Aurelian's « less

Camera: Nikon D5200, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec, 105mm (=157mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D5200
Lens:	105.0 mm f/2.8
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	105mm (35mm equivalent: 157mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 10.0 Windows
Show full info

Stats: 98,371 views / 141 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: