In May 2024, I embarked on a five-day butterfly expedition in northern Thailand, visiting three national parks in Chiang Mai. The main target of this trip was a particularly rare species of Papilionidae, Teinopalpus imperialis (Kaiser-i-Hind). Adorned with countless metallic green scales, this butterfly is a stunning sight. However, it is quite rare and is only found in a few high-altitude habitats. Moreover, due to its fast flight speed and rarely perches on branches, making it a challenging subject for photography.
To search Teinopalpus imperialis, we had to hike for approximately three hours to reach their habitat. These butterflies are most active on clear mornings and disappear by midday. Therefore, to maximize our chances of seeing them, we started our hikes very early in the morning, carrying ample water and food. Fortunately, upon reaching the summit, we spotted three Teinopalpus imperialis individuals circling and chasing each other. After a patient wait, we managed to capture some fantastic photos of them perched on foliage, which was a huge morale boost for the team. The long hike had certainly paid off. Other butterfly species with hill-topping behavior were also observed at the summit.
On other days of the trip, due to unstable weather conditions, butterfly diversity was relatively low. However, we still encountered some beautiful Lycaenidae species, such as Zeltus amasa, Cheritrella truncipennis, and Caleta roxus. Additionally, while trekking in Doi Inthanon National Park, we had a remarkable encounter with a very rare Impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa). This was an extraordinary discovery, as many Asian turtle species are threatened by over-exploitation and habitat destruction. Thailand has enacted wildlife conservation laws to protect these creatures.
In conclusion, despite challenging weather conditions, our five-day expedition was a resounding success. We not only managed to find our target species, Teinopalpus imperialis, but also observed beautiful Lycaenidae butterflies and the rare Impressed tortoise. This trip exceeded all expectations and concluded on a high note.