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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 19, 2021 23:09:36 GMT -8
Over these last 5 years I've had a few precious opportunities to own a few un-commonly seen (or offered) Anaea and Memphis nymphalid butterflies. Some of these butterflies surprisingly only come in 2nd (price-wise) to those "glamor girls" of Central/South America -- the Agrias. I think the Anaeini as a group are largely over-looked by any (would be) collectors in the region as their focus is probably more-so on those flying jewels - Agrias/Prepona. Other things picked up are simply happenstance captures which they may keep and pass along (if somewhat showy). Hence, the very few offerings which one tends to see amongst truly notable Anaeni. Of coarse, a true collector like you or I would immediately notice the significance of landing a prime Anaea or Memphis if we had chance to capture one. Only very recently, this past week a french seller was offering a quite nice Anaea superba at auction and it landed a "cool" $405.00 once bidding ended. Below, I show a selection of some "top notch" specimens I've had a chance to own these last 5 years but, as the saying goes "money talks" and though I made an effort to own these; ultimately my pockets just were not deep enough at the time...  Anaea excellens (El Salvador)  Anaea panariste (female)  Memphis xenica Sorry, for the limited quality of the pictures as these were taken with my Ipad at the time. However, take it from me -- these were some "choice" pieces and all were in stunning shape. Of coarse, there are a fair number of common Anaea/Memphis species which occur in private collections but, the most notable ones seldom ever can be had for anything short of around $100 bucks minimum and on up.... |
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Post by lordpandarus on Jan 20, 2021 5:43:07 GMT -8
That's a beautiful specimen of Consul excellens!
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Post by jshuey on Jan 20, 2021 6:09:24 GMT -8
I actually spotted an excellens once in Chiapas - but it was an edgy bug, nervous as hell, and flew off into the dense brush. It perched a little like electra does, on the edge of roadside trees. But as soon as I showed some interest in it, it started jumping around from perch to perch and then moved inside the forest. Sadly, we were just passing through the area, not really collecting - so no traps were up and running.
And I'm a bit surprised that Memphis philumena xenica is expensive. It's not a common species by any means, but it's not that rare - at least in Belize. I just checked our data set and we have 12 records for the country - so pretty uncommon but regular enough that it is not a huge surprise when we see it. It comes to bait on a fairly regular basis.
And Consul panariste jansoni is one of those species that really should be in Belize - but no luck so far.
John
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Post by yorky on Jan 20, 2021 11:46:14 GMT -8
I was looking through a friend's old collection of South American material a few years ago and got myself a fine series of panariste, beautiful species. I've also just obtained some nice specimens of the scarce Anaea falcata from Peru.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 20, 2021 12:00:47 GMT -8
I believe I spotted those nice A. falcata in your Christmas photo of splendor. Very nice indeed and another one which I have always liked. You are very fortunate to have a (holy cow ! / series...) of panariste !!
You really must endeavor to show us those A. panariste sometime dear fellow.
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Post by yorky on Jan 20, 2021 12:40:32 GMT -8
Problem is that at this time of year I find it really difficult to take pictures as there is no natural light, the flash on my digital camera is broken and the camera on my phone is really rather tragic. Come spring I will take a whole raft of new pictures to show.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jan 21, 2021 7:14:11 GMT -8
These "Leaf Wing" species can be collected in Bait Traps rather easily. I have collected several species in Bait Traps in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
I have been told that most of the tropical leaf wing species will not come to Bait Traps. I have used 15 inch Flat Bottom Bait Traps along the Rio Grande River in Texas and collected numerous species. However, when I used my 12 inch Tropical Bait Traps I would not take any Leaf Wings. For some reason they would not or could not enter via the Slotted Pan.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jan 21, 2021 8:48:38 GMT -8
I have never collected south of the Rio Grande River or any Central or South American country. While collecting in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, I have manage to collect a few "Leaf Wing" butterflies in Bait Traps.
I have used both 15" Flat Bottom Bait Traps and Slotted Pan Type Bait Traps. I also used 12" Tropics Bait Traps with a hanging Platt form.
I collected more in the Slotted Pan Type Bait Traps.
However, I had more Leaf Wing Type Lepidoptera in the Flat Bottom Bait Traps.
While living in central Kentucky I had several Flat Bottom Bait Traps along the Kentucky River and a few creeks that drained into the Kentucky River, I would collect lots of Anaea andria. On the other hand, I saw very few flying about. I had Bait Traps deployed all year long. I would occasionally take one in a Bait Trap on a warm and sunny winter day.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 22, 2021 10:41:58 GMT -8
Leptraps, your last post should have been placed under the field reports "section"
and under the title "Cold Weather and Winter Moths".
Does not belong here...
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jan 22, 2021 12:04:43 GMT -8
I have moved my last post to Field Reports.
I apologize for my "errant" ways.
And I will correct my "errant" ways.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 22, 2021 12:33:17 GMT -8
I still enjoy reading your reports; don't get me wrong... Just bringing your oversight to your attention. Could happen to anyone. Best Wishes !  |
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Post by yorky on Jan 22, 2021 13:04:59 GMT -8
I think most of us would admit that there are things that have "got away", at insect fairs I like to look around every table before making a purchase to take in what I want to buy. Having done that I have then gone back to find it gone. I also have been known to dither for too long and lose out,taking far too long to choose between rarities and have lost count of the times this has happened. I'm getting better at it after 40 years and just bite the bullet and pay if I think it's a good price. A case in point being an A2 specimen of Hypolimnas saundersi that I took too long over and somebody else bought it, not seen it for sale since.
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Post by yorky on Jan 23, 2021 9:39:05 GMT -8
My pair of A tyrianthina Attachments:
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Post by nomihoudai on Jan 23, 2021 9:46:37 GMT -8
Anaea tyrianthina was a nice example of how prices fall once they get available through breeding. I still remember the females costing $350. Nowadays they run for around $50. I had one pair that I got for a good price and sold with a slight markup.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 23, 2021 17:05:27 GMT -8
Thank you Yorky for sharing that picture of your wonderful pair !
That is indeed one of the best species and one I've always desired...
The male is REALLY something. I see it offered here and there however,
never as cheap as 50 bucks on a pair. Don't mean to be a "doubting thomas"
nomihoudai but, perhaps you mean't $50 on the (female) alone.
Maybe Thorne up in Canada has it. I'll have to check. Probably, should
endeavor to visit him this year and buy a pair direct !
Heck, maybe a few other things along with the pair.
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