Luehdorfia japonica, Japanese endemic swallowtail

[mokky]

Hi, guys!

Please enjoy the movie of Luehdorfia japonica, Japanese endemic swallowtail from the following link.

bsj.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-05-13

Almost all Japanese butterfly enthusiasts are crazy about this species because it tells us "the start of buttefly season"!

Mokky

[wollastoni]

Very nice video, your website is really very interesting and well done, mokky !

[mokky]

Thank you wollastoni for your comment. I would like to continue this blog as long as possible. Please check it up from time to time.

Cheers,
Mokky

[papilio28570]

Wonderful camera work and an excellent job!

I always left Japan in February and never had the opportunity to see or collect this butterfly. I was in Yamaguchi Prefecture stationed at Iwakuni. I believe the butterfly was more northern and inland in the foothills, but I heard that it is found near Hagi city . I saw plenty of wild ginger in the woodlands around Kintai Castle.

I believe this is a Red Listed butterfly, but is it still legal to collect in Japan?

[mokky]

Thank you for your comment, papilio28570!

Glad to know that you have been in Japan. Yes, you can find Luehdorfia japonica in Yamaguchi Pref. But Yamaguchi Pref. is the westernmost limit of its range and hard to see. Recently most of its habitats had been already lost because of deforestation or other.

It is true that Luehdorfia japonica is listed as the endangered species in Japan but there is still plenty of healthy population in northern part of Honshu (mainland). It is legal and possible to collect enough specimens there.

If you have the chance to visit Japan in April or May, I would like to show you living Luehdorfia japonica in the wild.

Cheers,
Mokky

[papilio28570]

Last time I was in Japan was in Tokyo in October 2008 as a speaker at a medical conference on aging. It was a short trip with no time to collect late season species. I did see a few small Hesperidae visiting potted flowers along the Ginza.

By chance. would you happen to know Dr. Masato Tamao in Iwakuni? We spent many many hours collecting together 30 years ago.

[mokky]

Dear papilio28570

Thank you for your reply. You seem to have another chance to visit Japan in the near future. If you visit Tokyo, please let me know. I will introduce some points for collecting butterflies.

Very sorry, I do not have any idea of him. If you want to trace him further, please send PM to me and tell me his detailed profile. I will do my best.

>By chance. would you happen to know Dr. Masato Tamao in Iwakuni? We spent many many hours collecting together 30 years ago. [/quote]

Cheers,
Mokky