Photo Highlights

2002 Dec

Miletus symethus petronius - Photographed at Mandai Orchid Garden
Nikon CoolPix 995, ISO 200, f5 @ 1/127s, with flash

Miletus symethus petronius is one of the 3 species of Miletus that can be found in Singapore. It is the most common species after Miletus biggsii biggsii. Miletus can usually be found flying about bushes and shrubs at about eye level at forest edges.
Unlike other butterflies, Miletus do not visit flowers but feed on secretions of Homoptera. This photo shows it feeding on secretion of the Mealy bugs attended by ants.

2002 Oct

The Royal Assyrian (Terinos terpander robertsia) by Ben Jin @ Sime Forest
Minolta DiMAGE 7i, ISO 100, f5.6 @ 1/45 s, handheld.

The Royal Assyrian is a rather rare and shy butterfly, with luminous purple upperside. It is the only Terinos found in Singapore. It usually rests with its wings closed. This pristine specimen was probably freshly hatched and drying its wings when it was photographed at the Central Catchment area.

2002 Sep

The Long Banded Silverline (Spindasis lohita senama )
Nikon CoolPix 995, ISO 200 f6 @ 1/90s, handheld.

The Long Banded Silverline is one of the only two 'Silverlines' that can be found in Singapore. The Silverlines are easily recognised by the silvery markings on the underside and the two hindwing tails. Its caterpillar food plants include Guava (Psidium guavaya) and Dioscorea.

2002 Aug

The Common Faun (Faunis canens arcesilas) caterpillar.
Nikon CoolPix 995, ISO 200 f10 @ 1/4 s

The Common Faun is a forest denizen that flies close to the ground in shaded areas. They can be commonly seen along forest tracks in the Nature Reserves.
Their caterpillars are hairy and can grow up to 7 cm long. They are gregarious and feed on the Fishtail Palm (Caryotis mitis) and Curculigo species of palms.

2002 Jun

The Common Redeye (Matapa aria) : Photographed at Penang, Malaysia.
Nikon CoolpPix 995, ISO 200, f8.6 @ 1/60s.

The Common Redeye skipper got its name from its striking red eyes. It is an uncommon jungle butterfly, about 20 mm long, dark brown in colour and can usually be found around bamboo bushes. Its larva feeds on bamboo leaves.

2002 May

Head of Malayan Bush Brown (Mycalesis fusca fusca) caterpillar

Head of the Malayan Bush Brown (Mycalesis fusca fusca) caterpillar.
Nikon CoolPix 995, ISO 200, f9.7 @ 1/9 s

This photo shows the Malayan Bush Brown caterpillar shedding its skin. It has just sheded its old head and the horns on the new head have not fully extended. After about an hour, its head will change to dark brown in colour and its horns will be upright just like the one on its old skin.

2002 Apr

Iraota rochana boswelliana : Photographed at Telok Blangah Hill Park
Sony DSC-F707, ISO 200, f4.0 @ 1/400s

A rare species, the Iraota rochana boswelliana is always seen singly. This female, however, was seen sunning on a leaf in the company of other females. The males have brilliant blue uppersides and are usually found on hilltops while the drab females can be found in the forest or even gardens.

2002 Mar

The Courtesan (Euripus nyctelius eupleoides -f euploeoides) : Photographed at Upper Pierce Feb 2002. Nikon CoolPix 995, f4.9 @ 1/155s.

This female Courtesan, form euploeoides, mimics the female Magpie Crow (Euploea radamanthus radamanthus), while another female, form insina, mimics the male Magpie Crow.

2002 Feb

The Cabbage White (Pieris canidia malayana) : Photographed at Kallang Riverside Park, Nov 2001. Sony DSC-F707, f4 @ 1/500s, handheld.

The Cabbage White was believed to be introduced into Singapore from Hong Kong. It is feeble in flight and rarely raises more than a few feet from the ground.
It is not uncommon but can be found only at a few locations in Singapore.

2002 Jan

The Malay Lacewing (Cethosia hypsea hypsina) : Photographed at Sime Forest, Dec 2001. Minolta 700Si with 100mm macro lens, f4.5 @1/125s with fill flash.

This beautiful butterfly, the Malay Lacewing most probably derives its name from the intricate colourful patterns on its underside. Male specimens possess bright red wings with black borders whilst females have an orange hue in place of the red. In addition, she has a white spot on each upperside forewing in the orange area. Both sexes have their hindwing edges shaped like the teeth of a saw.

2001 Dec

Caleta elna elvira (Elbowed Pierrot) : Photographed at Upper Pierce Reservoir, Nov 2001. Nikon CoolPix 995 at ISO 2000, handheld.

A freshly emerged specimen of an Elbowed Pierrot sipping moisture from the sand. The name 'Elbowed' is derived from the angled brownish black bar that is noticeable when it settles on the ground. This little Lycaenidae can be found in along forest paths flying almost at ground level.

2001 Nov

Papilio prexaspes prexaspes (Blue Helen)- male : Photographed at Upper Pierce Reservoir, Oct 2001. Nikon CoolPix 995 at ISO 200, f4.5 @ 1/40s, handheld.

The Blue Helen (Papilio prexaspes prexaspes) frequents forest fringes and looks like a Great Helen (Papilio iswara iswara) except that it is smaller and has blue lunules along the hindwing margins. This specimen was photographed feeding on the carcass of a fresh water crab in the nature reserve.

2001 Oct

Hypolimnas bolina jacintha -f. incommoda female: Photographed at Upper Pierce Reservoir, October 2001. Nikon CoolPix 995 at ISO 200, 1/43 sec, f6.5, handheld.

The subspecies 'jacintha', which is a continental insect was reportedly extinct in Singapore for the past 50 years. It suddenly made an appearance as recently as 1999, but is still very rare. During that time, the subspecies 'bolina' took over and is now the more common Eggfly in Singapore.

2001Sep

Zizina otis lampa : photographed with Sony DSC-S30.

A mating pair of Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) resting on Coat Button (Tridax procumbens) flower.
The larger one at the top is a female while the smaller one at the bottom is a male. The Lesser Grass Blue is very common and is found on almost any grassland. Its caterpillar feeds on Mimosa pudica while the adult loves the flower of Coat Button and Lantana.