ButterflyCircle announces the update of the Singapore Checklist to 287 species, with the re-discovery of the Metallic Caerulean (Jamides alecto ageladas) and the White FourLine Blue (Nacaduba angusta kerriana).  These two Lycaenids, from the genus Jamides and Nacaduba respectively, are species from difficult genera of lookalike butterflies.  After careful scrutiny, and consultation with various experts the two new re-discoveries have been validated.

It is interesting that both species are found outside the usual forested nature reserves in parks and gardens in urban and sub-urban areas.  They may have been around for quite some time, and not noticed, or may have gotten more common in recent years.  Nevertheless Singapore is most happy to welcome these two species back onto the checklist. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.

The Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon luctatius) is a relatively common butterfly, found both in the forested areas of Singapore’s nature reserves, as well as in urban parks and gardens.  The cultivation of its preferred host plant, Cinnamomum iners as a common roadside tree by the National Parks Board, has made the butterfly more prevalent in urban areas. 

The Common Bluebottle is a fast flying species, with its powerful and erratic flight.  However, it is often photographed puddling at damp spots on forest trails as well as sandy banks of streams.  In this blog article, Horace Tan shares his documentation of the early stages of the Common Bluebottle.  The animated gif of the pupation sequence is something worth watching, as the caterpillar morphs into a pupa! One of those amazing phenomena of nature. 

Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.