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Mar
2008
|
|
Jamides caeruleus caeruleus
Sky Blue
by Richard Ong
Sky Blue can be easily mistaken for the more common and
widespread Common Caerulean (Jamides celeno aelianus ).
The male of the Sky Blue has bright shining morpho blue
above and the species's post discal band at vein 3 is
completely dislocated. In addition, they tend to
fly higher as compared to the Common Caerulean which fly
no more than a few feet from the ground. |
|
Feb
2008
|
|
Antrophaneura sycorax egertoni
White-headed Batwing aka Kepala
Puteh
by Gan CW
The White-headed batwing is a very pretty and striking
butterfly. It is slightly larger than a Common Birdwing
and is easily recognized by its distinctive creamy white head and yellow abdomen. It is
a rare butterfly and is confined to primary forest on
the hills and foothills. I was very fortunately to
chance upon this lovely female during one of my trips to
Fraser's Hill. |
|
Jan
2008
|
|
Abisara savitri savitri
Malay Tailed Judy
by Laurence Leong
The Malay Tailed Judy is a forest denizen and quite
scarce. It can easily be distinguished from other
Judys in Singapore by the two diffused transverse
stripes on the underside of its forewings and its
pointed white tipped tails. In the forest, it is
often seen hopping amongst the under growth and settling
on leaves with half-open wings.
|
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Nov
2007
|
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Arhopala eumolphus maxwelli
The Green Oakblue
by Gan CW
The
Green Oakblue was thought to be extinct in Singapore by
early researchers. In 2001, BIG spotted an individual in
the Nature Reserves. However, it was not until Sep 2006
that BIG managed to capture this rare greenish Oakblue
butterfly on photo and set the record straight once and
for all that this species is still alive in Singapore. |
|
Sep
2007
|
|
Daphnis nerii
Oleander Hawk-moth
by Gan CWThe
Oleander Hawk-moth is one of the more common hawk
moths ( Sphingidae ) in Singapore. Their
caterpillars are stout, with cylindrical hairless body
and a prominent tapering horn on their last segment. In
Singapore, the caterpillar can usually be found feeding
on the leaves of the
Madagascar Periwinke (Catharanthus sp) |
|
Jul
2007
|
|
Elymnias panthera
panthera
Tawny Palmfly
by Gan CW
The Tawny Palmfly can be mistaken for a faded
Common Palmfly by
a casual observer. It is less
common than the Common Palmfly and can usually be seen
flying singly in urban parks and forests where its
caterpilllar host plant, the
Fishtail Palm (Caryota spp) is found. |
|
Apr
2007
|
|
Pathysa antiphates itamputi
Five Bar Swordtail
by Laurence Leong
The Five Bar Swordtail is a forest
denizen which is easily mistaken for a Pieridae when in
flight. The males of this species can usually be found
puddling at moist spots at the forest fringe.
When at rest, they can be easily identified by a pair of
very long, slender and tapering tails
|
|
Mar
2007
|
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Delias hyparete hyparete
Painted Jezebel
by Gan CW
This is the most common Jezebel in
Indonesia. Like its close cousin in Singapore (Delias
hyparete metarete), it can be seen
fluttering in residential and urban areas.
The Indonesian subspecies differs from the Singapore
subspecies in that the red patches on its underside hind
wing are black bordered and in the female the forewing tip
is yellow dusted.
|
|
Feb
2007
|
|
Pratapa deva relata
White Royal
by Richard Ong
This rare Lycaenidae butterfly was
recently sighted at an urban park in the southern part of
Singapore.
It is slightly smaller than the similar looking but more
common Peacock Royal (Tajuria cippus maxentius).
In the male, the upperside is lustrous blue while the
female is paler blue.
The caterpillar of this butterfly feeds on Loranthus sp.
|
|
2006
Jun
|
|
Tajuria dominus dominus
by Gan CW
This very rare small butterfly
from the Lycaenidae family was discovered at the
Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Trail (AHBT).
Two other more common relatives of this family are
Tajuria cippus maxentius ( Peacock Royal ) and
Tajuria mantra mantra ( Felder's Royal ).
Caterpillar of this family feeds on parasitic plants which
can be seen flourishing on the mature trees around the
butterfly trails.
|
|
2005
Feb |
|
Cheritra freja
friggia
Common Imperial
by Gan CW
This lovely butterfly is the latest attraction at the
Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Trail (AHBT). The Common
Imperial is a rare butterfly in Singapore but at AHBT,
many have been seen basking under the sun along the trail.
Similar in shape to the more well known Branded Imperial,
the Common Imperial has a pair of very long tails and a
pair of short tails. The male is brownish purple on top
while the female is dark brown. |
