Early in February this year I made another trip to Varirata NP. I did not see a lot of birds but it was the best day for butterflies I’ve had up there.
Large Green-banded Blue (Danis danis apollonius). This common butterfly is one of my favourites. It is also found in Australia.
There are a number of very similar species, this is the smaller Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius plotinus.
Purple Beak (Libythea geoffroyi maenia).
Under and upper sides of the Small Leopard Phalanta alcippe cervina.
Cyrestis achates achates is one of three species of map butterflies i found in Papua New Guinea.
The Decorated Metalmark Dicallaneura decorata parina.
Three Blue Triangle Butterflies Graphium sarpedon choredon.
Hewitson’s Bush Brown Mycalesis phidon.
Delias (The Jezebels) is the world’s largest butterfly genus with over 250 species. This is the Yellow-banded Jezebel Delias ennia xelianthe. The wide black borders on the hind-wing indicates this is a female.
Northern Argus Junonia erigone.
Broad-margined Grass-yellow Eurema puella papuana.
Gray Glassy Tiger Ideopsis juventa turneri.
Saletara cycinna corinna.
There are several species of Owl Butterflies in Varirata. This is Taenaris onolaus saturiator.
I find the Crow Butterflies often difficult to separate. I think this is the Dwarf or Purple Crow Euploea tulliolus dudgeonis.
An unidentified Katydid. It was huge – 15+cm in length.
An Amateur Naturalist in PNG 