Butterfly Conservation: Saving the Harlequin

[Silverstreak]

Subsequent to this " Bye Bye Harlequin !!??" (http://b-pals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5900&page=2) post at Butterfly Photography thread , we did not sit idly by and watch the demise of this butterfly.


These two individuals could very well be the last generation of the recently rediscovered Harlequin in the wild.



Taxila haquinus haquinus (Harlequin) Male
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_10_10_IMG_2168.jpg

Taxila haquinus haquinus (Harlequin) Female
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_10_09_IMG_1707.jpg

Somewhere near the CCA
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_10_09_IMG_1767.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_10_09_IMG_1763.jpg



After being absent from the main Island of Singapore for almost 20 years , The Harlequin was rediscovered in Apr 06, due to the small numbers and localized nature of this butterfly, and the possible threat of development of the site, ButterflyCircle had initiated a conservation plan to relocate/propagate the butterfly.

Subsequently its hostplant was identified and the life cycle of the species from eggs to adult butterfly was recorded. Since the rediscovery, regular visits were conducted to monitor the colony and study its habitat to understand this species better.

Suitable sites with similar hostplants were scouted and surveyed for the relocation plan. A batch of the adults was relocated on June 07, however for some reason they did not produce any offspring at the relocated site. With the discovery of the imminent destruction of their habitat, it prompted us to launch our immediate action plan to save the species.

The plan entails conserving the species by breeding and relocate them to suitable sites for their continual survival. Many hours and much effort have been spent combing the site since 9th Oct 07 to locate and evacuate eggs and adults for the breeding program. We were lucky and managed to have a few pairs of this butterfly.

This is the first attempt on breeding this Riodininae species, and there is no information available on the subject, hence some efforts were directed at formulating the housing, feeding ,care and egg laying of the butterflies.

The species is not a nectar feeder, they are often observed feeding on microscopic substance on leaf surface, nevertheless, after close observations and some trials , a formula for feeding the adults was established and that keep them happy and alive. In return they had rewarded us with a number of eggs.

I am glad to report that from these harvested eggs:

The first batch of approx 80 Harlequin caterpillar have reached 3-4th instar in the hands of ButterflyCircle Members .

and

A local organization, roped in to assist in this project and supplied with a batch of eggs, is now breeding 60-80 caterpillars at the 2nd-3rd instar.

some of the caterpillars

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_10_17_IMG_2794.jpg


When we have sufficient numbers , the Harlequin will be released onto selected sites .This is our small effort and contribution to saving this rare Lycaenidae

I Will provide timely update and its progress on this Save the Harlequin Project

Cheers!

[atronox]

Sad to hear that.Is the foodplant of this sp. maesa indica n how were u able to feed the adults?

[Silverstreak]

Aaron,

It is too early for the full discourse on this breeding project and the hostsplant has not being formally identified as yet ..

As we are learning along the way, changes are constantly being made to the care and feeding of the adults and larva.

In due course we will publish the whole exercise and share with all the lessons learnt.

[atronox]

Sorry, thought u guys knew.

[abielneo]

Good to hear!

Was very saddened initially when the pictures of the flattened forest were posted.

[Commander]

Sorry, thought u guys knew.

We know. It's just not for public information at this point in time.

[Silverstreak]

This short writeup is also posted at the following 2 sites.

Avian Watch Asia (http://www.avianwatchasia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8624)

Clubsnap General Discussion Thread (http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=320577)


It appears that they are more enthusiastic and supportive than our own members here !:bsmile: :bsmile:

[Commander]

Dun worry, you have our 'silent' supporters here, including all the help you got from our cat farmers. Most of the members here are less vocal and prefer to remain hidden from limelight - even using the invisible mode when online. ;P

I'm talking to NParks' National Biodiversity Centre to see how we can list down the species which are surviving in urban areas which may be threatened by development.

But this effort, spearheaded by you, is more than what many more prominent NGOs would be doing. Where there is land being cleared for development, they organise petitions and media 'noise' to protest. We, on the other hand, try our best to save the species first, than just to make useless noise, and complain later when the species goes extinct. :prrr:

[atronox]

Invisible mode?:hmmm:

[Silverstreak]

Update :

The first batch of eggs and caterpillars laid by the evacuaee from the site, after baby sitting the caterpillars that emerged for close to 17 days , has just pupated.

We hope to see these pupae turning into adults and breed them for more offspring for our first release targeted in 7weeks time.

Here are some of the 80+ pupae which should turn into beautiful adults in a week for further breeding.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_02_IMG_3638.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_02_IMG_3639.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_02_IMG_3645.jpg

:cheers:

[atronox]

The pupae r so variable.:omg:

[Silverstreak]

Update :

Close to 100 pupae are expected to eclose within the next 2-3 days.



http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/PupaeBoard.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/pupaeboard2.jpg

[Silverstreak]

Some of the pupae had eclosed

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_08_IMG_4343-2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_08_IMG_4375.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_08_IMG_4387.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_08_IMG_4526.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_08_IMG_4560.jpg

Part II of Save the Harlequin up and running at the Blog

:cheers:

[Peacock Royal]

Good news. Good work guys.
:cheers:

[Leopard Lacewing]

Congratulation, Sunny!

Cheers!

[atronox]

Nice unfurling.

[Silverstreak]

There are some feedback from the public at the BLOG (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-2.html)on the project .

[Silverstreak]

Update :

Around 60 Harlequins eclosed in the last few days .

These are housed in the breeding cages. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will mate and lay us more eggs for Phase II of the project.

A local environmentally-friendly organization, roped in to collaborate with ButterflyCircle in this conservation project, was supplied and reinforced from our stock of eggs, caterpillars and pupae . These are doing fine in their hands, this collaboration is to spread the risk and also as an alternative breeding source for this project.

Pupae Board
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-437.jpg

Pupae Holding Cage
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-495.jpg

Breeding cage - 2 tiers
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-442.jpg

Breeding cage
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-441.jpg

Cheers!

[atronox]

Sunny, u r so successful in ur harlequin breeding!:what: I was just wondering where u got that potted foodplant in one of the cages. I understand that it is a forest plant, right? Btw, is that honey-like liquid n syringe for feeeding the butts?

[Common Mime]

Sunny, u r so successful in ur harlequin breedingSunny is the man in this project! Give the man some eggs! :bsmile:


Btw, is that honey-like liquid n syringe for feeeding the butts?That's his secret recipe! ;P :bsmile:

[atronox]

That's his secret recipe! ;P :bsmile: I know that some ppl use rum n honey to attract butts.:bsmile: Wonder if their successful.:thinking:

[Silverstreak]

Update:

Here are a few shots of approx. 60 males and females Harlequins that were raised from the eggs laid by 12 of the evacuees from the site , some of them have started ovipositing in the last 24 hours.

More details of the Project can be found here at Butterflies of Singapore Blog (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-1.html)


Male

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_14_IMG_5077.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_09_IMG_4639.jpg

Female

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_14_IMG_5025.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_11_14_IMG_4919.jpg

Cheers!

[Silverstreak]

My amaterish attempts at recording the birth of the Harlequin.:embrass:


Eggs to Caterpillars
(http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=12548&CID=143049)
Pupae to Harlequin (http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=16959&CID=143041)

:cheers:

[Silverstreak]

First Release:

A video clip , sharing the magical moment of a Harlequin eclosing from its pupa under the tender loving care of ButterflyCircle. (http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=16959&CID=143041)

A first batch of 22 pupae, ready to eclose within 12 hours were deposited at one of the planned release site (Site A) two weeks ago and all 22 pupae subsequently eclosed successfully unattended . 4 adults were sighted a few days later during a site check. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they had mated and laid eggs on the host plant on the site.

The fact that it is only extant in a small areas where we found them suggested to us that it has an unique set of conditions that allow it to thrive. we have selected the release sites very carefully, other than the present of the host plant, the level of humidity , shades and undergrowth were also taken into consideration.

The rationale to place some pupae to eclose naturally is part of the risk management module of the project. It also serves as a pre-release trial, to ascertain the butterfly's ability to adapt to the new site, prior to the mass introduction in Phrase II.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-release-pupae-at-.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-838.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/Harlequin-869.jpg



:cheers:

[Sky Blue]

hmm, good luck to them, hopefully will not attract attention of parasit / ants etc...

[Silverstreak]

Update:

A few hundred caterpillars are in their 3rd - 4th instar. If all goes well we should be able to mass release them into the selected sites in the next few weeks.

The above Save the Harlequin Project has been sanctioned by NPark's Biodiversity Centre / Conservation Division.

:cheers:

[Commander]

Great work, Sunny. You must be father, grandfather and great grandfather several times over now.

Perhaps some butt farm out there may pay you for breeding the Harlequins. Quote US$2 per pupa, and you'll soon have a 1Ds MkIII in your hands. :bsmile:

[Silverstreak]

Update:

Approximately 250 pupae will be released unto selected sites within the next 2 days!

Here are some shots of the pupae :

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_12_24_IMG_6177.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_12_24_IMG_6156.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_12_24_IMG_6180.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_12_24_IMG_6159.jpg

With more pupating within the next few days.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/2007_12_24_IMG_6184.jpg

[Commander]

:omg: You are beginning to look more like a pupa supplier from Indonesia.

[Sky Blue]

with this hardwork I'm sure that they will continue to survive here!

[atronox]

I thought there would be many bt i didn't think that there would be that many!:omg:

[Silverstreak]

First Mass Release was carried out today on 2 sites , a total of 200 pupae are in the wild .These pupae should eclosed within the next 48 hours and it will be up to Mr and Mrs Harlequin to propagate naturally on these 2 sites. More Mass releases will be conducted on other selected sites in the coming months.

This conclude the main part of our first attempt in ex situ butterfly conservation which stretched over a period of 20 months: From hostplant identification, monitoring of population statistic, habitat monitoring/observation, selection of new habitat , collection of adults, harvesting of eggs, mass breeding risk management , the caring and breeding from eggs to pupae/ butterfly in a mass scale. With the conclusion of this part of the project we are now better equipped in future for in situ or ex situ butterfly conservation.

We will be moving to the follow up plan which comprises of regular visits to check how they fair in these new habitat and where necessary and practical to reinforce their presence on these sites.


:cheers:

[Peacock Royal]

My kudos to you Sunny.
Let's pray that they survive and propagate on the new sites

[Silverstreak]

update :

2 lots of 50 Harlequin Butterflies had been released at site A and B respectively during the last 2 days.

[Silverstreak]

25 adults released at site A2 .

[Leopard Lacewing]

:yeh-yeh: Hurray.... let's hope the number increase over there. :thumbsup:
Thanks Sunny :drinks:

Cheers!

[tanghb]

You are a hero, Sunny.:cheers:

[Silverstreak]

Hi Federick, Bobby and Tang,

Thanks for the kind words.

It is just my small contribution in helping this rare species to survive and propagate.

Cheers!

[Silverstreak]

Another batch of 50 + Harlequin are eclosing .

Most of these will be released into the 2 sites in the next few days while some are retained for research purpose.

Some eggs have been spotted on the hostplants at one of the release sites. We will have to wait to find out if these will successfully go through the larva stage and eclose into adults.

:cheers:

[Common Mime]

Well done, Sunny!

:cheers:

[Peacock Royal]

Some eggs have been spotted on the hostplants at one of the release sites. We will have to wait to find out if these will successfully go through the larva stage and eclose into adults.
:cheers:

:gbounce: Let's pray that these eggs will hatch and develop into adults.
Kudos to Sunny.

[Silverstreak]

Updtate : The Harlequin are Surviving at Release site A


On routine checking of Site A this morning, I was pleasantly surprised by meeting 3 pristine individuals, two females and one male fluttering high up on a fishtail palm at site A.

Basing on a life cycle time of approx. 28 days and adult life span of approx. 14 days , the last insertion of adults into site A was on 8th Jan 08 .

These 3 adult Harlequins must be at least the second generation of those released under the project.

A cheap shot of a female .

:cheers:

[Great Mormon]

A pair of male Harlequins spotted at Release site A. I didnt have my camera so i couldnt take any pictures. I will try to look for more when time permits and try to search for the 2 specimens found today and take a picture! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

[Silverstreak]

Two males Harlequins had been sighted at Release Site A by Anthony today !!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:



Meaning after the last insertion on Jan 08 they have managed to propagate and survive on site for almost 18 months.

Saving the Harlequin Part III will be launched to seal this success in saving them by reinforcing more butterfly and strengthening their foothold on the new site!

Cheers!

For details brief of the "Save the Harlequin Project" refer to :

Saving the Harlequin Part I (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-1.html)

Saving the Harlequin Part II (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-2.html)