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Post by nomad on Apr 6, 2014 9:00:32 GMT -8
Delias bornemanni [ Ribbe 1900 ] is one of those species that seems impossible to obtain today because no one seems to be collecting in the Owen Stanley Range in New Guinea. Very few Papuan insects are available to collectors compared with those from Western New Guinea. There seems to be no specimens of this species on the market in recent years and although some of the larger private collection seem to have at least males of this beautiful species, those specimens seems to have come from older collections. I have only seen one recent fresh specimen that was obtained by a Delias collector. This species was originally discovered by the adventurer and collector Emil Weiske from Germany at the Aroa river in 1898. It was because of the success of the Weiske expedition that A.S. Meek decided to come here during 1903 and 1905 to make collections for Lord Walter Rothschild. At the head of the Aroa river, Meek camped at Owgarra and collected a good series of D. bornemanni including the females. The Weiske types of Delias bornemanni are kept in the Dresden museum and can be seen at the link below. globis.insects-online.de/species&tree_h=.Pieridae.Pierine.Pierini.Delias..1350&sub=no&tree_status=plus&tree_seq=34Emil Weiske [ 1867- 1950] seems to have been a colouful character and in Germany a well known naturalist. More on his exciting life and a portrait of an older Weiske can be found here. www.stadtgeschichte-weida.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81&Itemid=94In the Saalfield museum in Germany where he lived, there is a display of some of Emil Weiske natural history specimens and archive photographs. Looks interesting. See this link. www.meinmarcus.de/artikel/598/fotoausstellung-2u-emil-weiske-eroffnetDelias Bornemanni specimens captured at Owgarra by A.S. Meek. Copyright trustees BMNH.  Verso specimens. Male left, female right.  Recto specimens. Male left, female right. |
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Post by nomad on Dec 7, 2014 7:53:01 GMT -8
Since the last post here but one was about the rarity Delias caliban with images of the types of subspecies satisbona collected by Meek on the summit of a mountain on Goodenough Island east of Papua in 1913. I thought I would show my latest acquisition here. It is a large female of D. caliban satisbona from Mt Madawha above 2000 meters collected in 2010. One of a small female series, the first to be taken since Meek a century before. I have been told by the Delias expert Chris Davenport that the forewing verso pale areas on the forewings are most unusual in that they are very dusky. In the type Meek series the female forewing verso pale areas are usually white and so were most of the others captured on the recent expedition to Goodenough Island by Laurie. I have however, seen one other darker female approaching mine in a private collection. Yes there is a tiny chip but I am more than pleased to own such a rarity. I can honestly say I doubt I will ever obtain another and this is now my most prized specimen and it looks certain to remain so.  |
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Post by nomad on Dec 7, 2014 8:31:55 GMT -8
I have found this image of a more typical verso of a Delias caliban satisbona female from the same expedition that was sold at Juvisy last year.  |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 7, 2014 8:49:32 GMT -8
Your specimen also has much reduced yellow submarginal spots on both wings while the yellow at the base of the wings appears more extensive, compared to the Juvisy specimen.
Adam.
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Post by nomad on Dec 7, 2014 10:27:05 GMT -8
It certainly has Adam. I wonder what the nominate female will look like if its ever discovered on Fergusson Island. It has now been 120 yeaes since A.S. Meek found the male in the mountains on that Island.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 7, 2014 13:18:46 GMT -8
No doubt Laurie will find it one day, if anyone will.
Adam.
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Post by trehopr1 on Dec 7, 2014 22:22:00 GMT -8
Nomad, sending along a hearty BRAVO in securing your latest prize. I think it's a stunning example --- gorgeous. Quite frankly it makes that Juvisy specimen look rather bad. Heck, yours is beautifully prepared, and has nice dark rich colors. I don't know what's going on with the head of that Juvisy specimen and the hindwings seem to be drooping down too low. I call that Juvisy specimen hasty preparation.
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robert61
Full Member
Posts: 184
Country: GERMANY
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Post by robert61 on Dec 8, 2014 2:29:51 GMT -8
"the hindwings seem to be drooping down too low"...... I see many butterflies spread from japanese collectors that way
Robert
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 8, 2014 3:52:03 GMT -8
Indeed that is the standard Japanese spreading style for Papilionidae too, with hindwings much lower than the normal western style. A Japanese told me it is so that almost the whole of the area between forewing and hindwing that would otherwise overlap can be seen.
Adam.
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Post by bobw on Dec 8, 2014 8:41:16 GMT -8
I always set Colias that way as some species have a sex-brand near the anal margin of the hindwing; this is a diagnostic feature and if it is covered by the forewing identification can be difficult. As I'm so used to setting Colias that way I now do it for all species and now I've got used to it I prefer it. I think the gap on the Delias specimen shown is too big but I prefer a bigger gap than that on the first specimen.
Bob
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Post by trehopr1 on Dec 8, 2014 10:53:52 GMT -8
Thankyou Adam, robert61, and bobw for your helpful insights and for bringing me up to speed on changes within the hobby. I really do like this forum as I find there is always something to be learned. I didn't know the Japanese had their own "style" of preparation. And now that I think about it --- it does look good when used on Papilio's and Ornithoptera. And, as bobw mentioned it is also a style that works for certain other genera or groups where taxonomic characters might be covered up.
I don't feel that it's a style I'd use across the board on all leps. But, I now understand and appreciate its usage better than I did yesterday.
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Post by nomad on Dec 8, 2014 11:21:23 GMT -8
With a one of and last chance rarity such as Delias caliban satisbona I did not chance setting this one, hence I sent it to my friend a master setter. This is set in what I call the European style. The specimen at Juvisy is set in the Japanese style as mentioned. I do not mind either setting style, what is much more important is this super Delias now graces my cabinet.  |
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Post by nomad on Dec 8, 2014 11:25:42 GMT -8
No doubt Laurie will find it one day, if anyone will. Adam. As Laurie Wills was the first one since Meek to collect subspecies satisbona I expect Fergusson Island may well be on his list to find the nominate, but Papua and Islands are now very dangerous places to explore. Peter. |
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