Archive for January, 2010
BLOG Update – Life History of the Two Spotted Line Blue
by Commander on Jan.31, 2010, under Early Stages and Life Histories
The Two Spotted Line Blue (Nacaduba biocellata) was a new discovery for Singapore. ButterflyCircle members discovered it back in 2004, but was unable to pinpoint its identity until more recently when more specimens were available for comparison. This small Lycaenid is a resident species in Australia and a common butterfly. How it appeared here in Singapore is a mystery, but after several seasons of the species appearing, sometimes in abundance, it is highly likely that it is now a “permanent resident” of the Singapore Butterfly fauna.
The butterfly is diminutive, about the size of the Tailless Line Blue (Prosotas dubiosa lumpura) which it resembles when in flight. With a wingspan of about 16-18mm, it is not a species that attracts the attention of the casual observer. The pair of subtornal spots sets it apart from any other related species in Singapore. In this blog article, special thanks are in order to Sunny Chir and Horace Tan, who discovered and successfully recorded the life history of this new addition to the Singapore Checklist.
Read all about it at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.
BLOG Update – An Aussie Skipperoo Comes to Town
by Commander on Jan.24, 2010, under Feature Articles
After careful research, which included the breeding of the early stages of the butterfly, ButterflyCircle is proud to confirm the inclusion of species #291 to the Singapore Checklist. The new addition is the Yellow Palm Dart (Cephrenes trichopepla) an Australian species that is not previously known from the Malaysian and Singaporean region. How the species came to Singapore is a mystery, but it started when an Australia butterfly expert found it in Fort Canning Park in 1999! However, as he did not capture a voucher specimen for validation, the species remained off the checklist until now.
The skipper’s caterpillars feed on a variety of Palmae, including the common Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera). It is a relatively large skipper and flies at high speeds. The species is now widespread in Singapore, and has also been bred by ButterflyCircle member LC Goh in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Read all about this new skipperoo from Downunder at the Butterflies of Singapore BLOG.
