Butterflies

                         

Chiang Mai's location makes it a meeting point for butterflies from India, Nepal and China as well as many found in Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia. In all, around 520 species have been recorded here.


 
Two of my favourite butterfly watching sites: on the left a sandy track through the forests of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. These butterflies are feeding on a dead frog. On the right, a waterfall in the park where many butterflies come to feed in the dry season.

   Update: March 2002 both these sites were degraded to make an 'ecotourist centre'


 
Two more sites outside Chiang Mai that are good in the hot season. The stream on the right is opposite a  patch of moist sand and by scouring both over two mornings i was able to find over 100 species. Unfortunately this only lasts a week or two in the year (and the nice sandy patch has now been turned into a car park!)
Another good spot in the hot season, in a forest temple.

fewer species here,though

 
Papilionidae
Pieridae 
Danainae
Satyrinae
Morphinae 
Acraeinae
Charaxinae

Nymphalinae

 

but1011.JPG
Riodininae
Lycaeninae
Hesperiidae
Butterflies: life and death