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Post by exoticimports on Jun 4, 2014 6:02:16 GMT -8
There's all sorts of stuff in Solomons waiting for capture.
We had a nymphalid in the net (actually TWO nets) three times and the bugger got away, later ID IIRC as a PNG species.
What's that clear winged papilio common in Australia, I don't have Adam's memory, so don't remember the name. Anyway, I've seen it on Mt. Austin a number of times, never could catch it, so it remains off the Solomons lists.
Tennent was going to publish about g. sarpedon being uncommon in Solomons, but I caught that and told him I'd seen dozens at one time on Mt. Austin- so it's seasonal or something.
G. hiceton brings stupid prices on the internet considering one can capture two dozen an hour.
I must say, I NEVER saw a delias during all my travels. Not high, not low, not inland, not on the coast. The stock of albertisi that was (still is?) available came from a ranched population found in a somewhat populated area.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 4, 2014 7:32:17 GMT -8
There's all sorts of stuff in Solomons waiting for capture. What's that clear winged papilio common in Australia, I don't have Adam's memory, so don't remember the name. Anyway, I've seen it on Mt. Austin a number of times, never could catch it, so it remains off the Solomons lists. Are you sure you saw Cressida cressida in the Solomons? Maybe it was Pachliopta polydorus? Of course it is possible that Cressida cressida could be there as it is also on New Guinea, but it's strange that it hasn't been recorded before. Adam. PS. Yes I remembered the name. |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 4, 2014 7:35:27 GMT -8
I must say, I NEVER saw a delias during all my travels. Not high, not low, not inland, not on the coast. The stock of albertisi that was (still is?) available came from a ranched population found in a somewhat populated area. Here in Chiang Mai the Delias are highly seasonal, and I only see each species for a very short time each year. Perhaps you just weren't in the right places at the right times. Adam. |
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cyane
Junior Member
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Post by cyane on Jun 4, 2014 15:28:25 GMT -8
The stock of albertisi that was (still is?) available came from a ranched population found in a somewhat populated area. It did ?? |
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Post by exoticimports on Jun 5, 2014 5:19:38 GMT -8
Thanks Adam, yes, Cressida Cressida. I have seen a number of them around the top of Mount Austin. Never could capture one, but was close enough to see them and I've captured Cressida in Australia. It's not that unusual, since another Australian papilio has become established in Temotu Prov. And of course the bloody piss ants (fire ants).
On SI Delias- I've covered some 20 islands at all times of the year except June, July, August. Granted my time spent at higher elevations was more limited than that, as was the amount of time there. But as I'd recounted before I'd pulled new species & records out of populated areas that had been well covered by entomologists in the past. And if Delias are a short lived as adult, it is quite likely that I simply missed the timing.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 6, 2014 7:53:59 GMT -8
That's very interesting, I had read that Tiradelphe schneideri was only known from two females caught during the 1965 expedition on the summit of Mount Popomanaseu. I seem to remember the male was discovered a few years ago. I'm pretty sure I have a copy of the paper somewhere, but I don't remember who wrote it or which journal it is in. Adam. I found out what happened about the male of Tiradelphe schneideri today. I was right that the male has been collected recently, but the paper was never published. The collector sent a single photo, but never sent any specimens to the well known scientist who he communicated with, so no paper has been written. I was told about the discovery in an e-mail last year, so I asked yesterday whether the paper had been published, receiving the news today that probably all the specimens were sold to collectors rather than advancing scientific knowledge. Since the male has definitely been collected I am sure at least the unnamed original collector, whoever he is, will be able to find it again. Adam. |
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Post by laurie1 on Jun 6, 2014 13:24:07 GMT -8
Hi Adam
I must set the record straight. The single photo was sent to a well known scientist for his eyes only. I am a little disappointed to learn that he may have shared information about my recent discovery with others. The paper is still in preparation as we speak, to soon be published. Absolutely NO specimens have been sold to collectors and advancing scientific knowledge is indeed the objective.
My capture in July 2013 is the first record of a male of Tiradelphe schneideri.
Laurie
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Post by laurie1 on Jun 6, 2014 13:36:21 GMT -8
P.S. If the well known scientist is who I think it is, he has been promised a specimen post publication of the paper. I am not sure why he would feel entitled to receive a specimen pre publication?
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 6, 2014 14:22:48 GMT -8
Laurie,
Yes the well known scientist is who you think he is, and he told me in confidence last year but didn't mention that you were the collector, nor did he share any other details or the photo.
After Peter posted about the species only being known from the female I checked where I heard about it by searching my e-mail program and e-mailed the scientist to ask about the paper. He replied that there would be no paper as he thought all the specimens had been sold. There was obviously a breakdown in communication between you and the scientist who had expected to be involved in writing the paper but hadn't heard anything.
I have sent you a private e-mail apologising, hopefully I have not caused too much trouble. It seems that I have let the proverbial cat out of a bag that I thought didn't exist.
Adam.
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 29, 2021 5:04:22 GMT -8
A nice female of Delias alberti tetamba from my collection. (leg. Laurie Wills)  |
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 29, 2021 10:58:24 GMT -8
Looks like it took a while, but you got one.
And to think, right now there are dozens or hundreds of them flying around up there.
Chuck
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 29, 2021 12:01:08 GMT -8
Chuck,
I guess you would prefer to be in Guadalcanal than back in the US.
I think that if there were only dozens in the population size of any butterfly species in nature it would be at severe risk of extinction. Even hundreds would probably be an underestimate of the real population size, although if the species is not seasonal but occurs as an adult throughout the year there would be less risk.
Generally the problem with obtaining specimens of many species of tropical butterflies is not due to the population numbers as much as difficulty in capturing specimens, for instance if they live exclusively in the canopy or on the side of cliffs.
Adam.
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Post by joachim on Mar 29, 2021 13:29:10 GMT -8
Hello, if you go there, be careful! jta.de/dudelsack/pfeil.jpgI wonder whether it is still dangerous to visit solomon islands.... joachim |
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 29, 2021 13:38:21 GMT -8
Chuck, I guess you would prefer to be in Guadalcanal than back in the US. I think that if there were only dozens in the population size of any butterfly species in nature it would be at severe risk of extinction. Even hundreds would probably be an underestimate of the real population size, although if the species is not seasonal but occurs as an adult throughout the year there would be less risk. Generally the problem with obtaining specimens of many species of tropical butterflies is not due to the population numbers as much as difficulty in capturing specimens, for instance if they live exclusively in the canopy or on the side of cliffs. Adam. Hi Adam, well we really don't know the population of this delias. The number of entomologists who have been on that mountain I think is two. Both with short stays. And, I doubt it's only on that one mountain. In the case of this species, and many more, the problem is accessiblity. It's only 3 hours from Brisbane. Then it's a two or three day brutal hike, each way. Laurie can tell us more. And, it's Kastom, meaning "tribal land." They (and many other places) don't like people tromping around; it can be quite dangerous. A friend of mine lives on Guadalcanal, and he finds downed WW2 aircraft- but in many places he cannot safely go, so he sends locals with video cameras. AFAIK, no white man has been to the top of Rendova Island, despite many thousands of white men having seen the top while sitting at the bar in Munda or Gizo; I cannot imagine what's up there. It works on a micro-scale in USA too: pick a fairly common species, and look at the records map on Butterfliesandmoths.org. Most are centered around towns, parts, parking lots, etc. I could infer, for example, that some of the ridge lines near me have no Papilio glaucus, but that's only because it's too much of a hike to get up there, despite being a 30 minute drive. There are of course the factors you cite, such as canopy and cliff dwellers, two frustrating elements to me! Beyond that, there is "discovered" and commercial. Right now Xixuthrus costatus sells for something like $1000. Heck, I've had a dozen in my hand (in a basket- they have big jaws.) I can get dozens with two days notice, IF I'm on-site. Getting there is the challenge. It's not for the average traveler, nor (as I find out) those with family and full-time jobs. :-( Chuck |
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 29, 2021 13:40:45 GMT -8
Depends of the islands. Guadalcanal is not so dangerous now, Choiseul can be another story. Some places in New Guinea are much more dangerous with regular foreigner killings and kidnappings. Gangs, indepentist militia, corrupted Indonesian army, aggressive tribes : choose your best friend.  Without forgetting that the most dangerous of all will be : car accident and plane crash. |
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