The Studded Sergeant (Athyma asura idita) is rare in Singapore compared to most of the other species in the genus.  However it has been spotted in a number of areas from hill parks to mangrove areas, and is quite widespread in distribution.  The distinctive black-centred post-discal white spots easily distinguishes this species from the other Athyma species in Singapore.  The butterfly is fast on the wing but often stops to rest to sunbathe with its wings opened flat.

The caterpillar feeds on Ilex cymosa and is most colourful when it reaches its 5th instar.  Its combination of green, yellow, black, red and blue give the spiny caterpillar a very attractive appearance. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Sumatran Sunbeam is a locally common species, usually found in the vicinity of its host plant, Derris trifoliata that is commonly found as a low creeping plant near mangrove and back-mangrove areas.  A Hesperiidae, the Common Awl, also shares this host plant.  The Sumatran Sunbeam is a fast-flying butterfly, usually seen perching on sunlit spots to sunbathe with wings opened to show its orange-red uppersides.  The females are of a lighter orange than the males.  The underside is a silvery white with lunulate striae. 

The caterpillar has unique tenticular organ which is everted when the caterpillar is disturbed or stressed.  The pupa is well camouflaged, looking is a little round berry, and is usually found on the underside of a leaf of the host plant. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

Our butterfly for July 2010 is the Horsfield’s Baron.  The blue-hindwinged male of the species is quite distinctive and moderately common in our forested reserves in Singapore.  It has a flap-glide flight and demonstrates a territorial protection behaviour.  It chooses a few favourite perches from which it launches ‘attacks’ on any intruders into its air-space. 

The female, brown with markings that resemble a female Malay Baron or a Malay Viscount, is more often found at flowers or ripened fruits in the forests.  The caterpillar host plant of the Horsfield’s Baron is the common Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum).

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Anderson’s Grass Yellow is a forest-dependent species and does not usually stray far from the sanctuary of the nature reserves in Singapore.  One of many lookalike species of the genus Eurema Anderson’s Grass Yellow is moderately common and is often observed puddling or feeding on flowers on hot sunny days.  It has a unique habit of hiding under leaves with its wings folded upright after a bout of feeding.  However it is skittish and flies away quickly if disturbed.

The caterpillar feeds on a host plant that is found in the nature reserves.  Efforts are currently being made to identify the plant.  It noteworthy that this species shares the same host plant as the Tree Yellow (Gandaca harina distanti).  The caterpillar looks similar to the other species of Eurema but with certain characteristic differences. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Chocolate Sailor (Neptis harita harita) is a moderately rare butterfly that is usually found within the nature reserves and forested areas towards the northern parts of the Central Catchment.  It was first discovered in the early 90’s near the Singapore Zoo, and recorded as a species new to Singapore.  The predominantly brown butterfly flies in the usual ’sailing’ fashion like its relatives in the genus Neptis.  IT hs been observed puddling as well as feeding on flowers and fermenting fruits.

The host plant is uncommon, which may explain the butterfly’s rarity when compared with the other members of its genus.  Perhaps a conservation project to propagate its host plants in the forested areas of the nature reserves could be a worthwhile project to enhance the survivability of this species. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Branded Imperial is a pretty butterfly = orange with long white tails, and is often seen along shaded forest paths in the nature reserves of Singapore.  It is fairly common but very much a forest-dependent butterfly, staying in the vicinity of where its host plant – Smilax bracteata grows.  It is seldom seen in urban parks and gardens, preferring the sanctuary of the forests.  It is believed that the original host plant of this butterfly is some other species of plant before it adapted to the invasive Smilax – a scourge of NParks’ parks managers.  If left unchecked, this aggressive climber can overwhelm and suffocate an entire tree!

The caterpillar of the Branded Imperial has cleverly evolved itself to match the colour and shade of the young shoots of the host plant, on which it feeds.  Often, more than one individual can be seen on the shoots.  We have not observed the caterpillars feeding on the leaves or the older shoots of the host plant.  The caterpillar displays myrmecophilic relationship with various species of ants.

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

Very often members of ButterflyCircle scrutinise minor variations and habits of different species of many butterfly species in the quest to discover or re-discover lookalike species that have not been seen for some time.  Examples of the Jamides and Nacaduba for which members have made significant discoveries that have added to the Singapore Checklist over the years.  However, the less attractive species tend to either get overlooked or ignored.

The Common Four Ring (Ypthima huebneri) is one such species.  Common and rather unattractive, this unassuming butterfly also has variations in the arrangement and size of its hindwing ocelli.  Are these merely aberrations or variations, or is there a mystery, waiting to be solved in the identity of some strange specimens that turn up?  Compare the two shots of this species and ponder over the possibility if there is a subspecies or even something different?  Some food for thought, and further observations before we can come to a conclusion one day in the future.

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Striped Albatross (Appias libythea olferna) is a common urban butterfly that can often be seen flying on bright sunny days at our parks and gardens.  It is an active and fast flyer but occasionally stops to rest at shaded spots.  Males are more common than females.  The common name is probably coined for the black and white striped appearance of the male of this species. 

The host plant is a common weed that can be found amongst the grassy lawns and almost anywhere where there is a patch of greenery.  It does well as a garden “weed” but interestingly difficult to cultivate when intentionally potted!  This same host plant, Purple Cleome (Cleome rutidosperma) is also the host plant for two other Pieridae species, i.e. the Psyche and the Cabbage White. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber mulciber) is a relatively common Danainae and is as often found in urban parks and gardens as well as in the forested nature reserves.  The species, like most of the other species in the sub-family Danainae, displays aposematic colouration as a warning to predators that it is distasteful and should be avoided.  The adult butterfly gets its protection from its caterpillar stage as it feeds on the lactiferous host plants, usually from the Apocynaceae family.

The male Striped Blue Crow has a remarkable iridescent sheen on its forewings above and shows off its deep blue colour in a sidelight as it flies slowly and unhurriedly as it moves about feeding.  The female, from which the English Common Name is derived, features striped hindwings and more spots on the forewings above, where the metallic blue sheen is much reduced.  The butterfly is also often attracted to the dried plants of the Indian Heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum)

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Quaker is a small forest-dependent butterfly, usually with an average wingspan of about 20mm.  It has a feeble erratic flight and keeps very much to the shady understorey of forested areas in the nature reserves.  At times, it can be flying erratically for long periods without stopping to rest.  On hot sunny days, it can sometimes be encountered in deep shade, taking a rest, perched on the topsides of leaves.   It has also been encountered puddling on damp forested paths.  Where observed, usually individuals are encountered.

The characteristic black spot in space 7 near the costa of the hindwing sets this species apart from any other species of butterfly in Singapore.  The wings are dark brown on the upperside.  The caterpillar of the Quaker feeds on Glycosmis chlorosperma, an essentially forest plant.  The early stages also feature symbiotic relationships with ants.   

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.