Harlequin site will fall to development

[Commander]

I just met JTC this morning, the developers of the site where the Harlequin is found. Taking a look at the plans, the entire Harlequin site will be wiped out permanently. The widening of the road adjacent to the site will effectively cut right into the area where the Harlequins are most often found.

Whilst it cannot be avoided, JTC has asked us to help in the translocation of the remaining population of the Harlequin, host plants and whatever that we can salvage from the site.

We have a window period of only 6 months before the tractors move in to level the place. I think that the translocation should also involve digging out the Ardisia elliptica host plants that we can find, and transplanting them at the new location as well.

I will rope in NParks to assist, so that we have the proper approvals on both sides to carry out the translocation.

Volunteers, please sign in here. :)

Read all about BC's earlier efforts to translocate the Harlequin.

Saving the Harlequin I (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-1.html)
Saving the Harlequin II (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-2.html)

[horace2264]

Sad to learn that the site will be gone in the near future. :-( There is one another species, more commonly found there, that I have yet to breed. :thinking:

Count me in for any part dealing with the translocation of early stages of the Harlequin.

[Great Mormon]

I may not be able to do much, but i'll lend a hand.

[vespa_bicolor]

I'm only in Singapore for two or three weeks in September, but let me know if I can help in any way and I'll be glad to do so if my schedule allows.

[Elbowed Pierrot]

if you need help during weekends and it is not backbreaking. call me

[Archduke]

my weekends are free if i dont have to work and if needed i can take leave on weekdays

[Leopard Lacewing]

Sad to hear that...

Usually my weekend (alternate) are free, but for this project, I can apply for weekly visa :bsmile:
Perhaps we can workout a plan and what resources are needed. ;P

Cheers! :cheers:

[Cruiser]

count me in!

[Painted Jezebel]

This is disappointing news, but at least the developers are being as helpful as they probably can. I wish it was the case here:thumbsdow !

I am sorry I will not be able to assist, but wish you all the best with this emergency rescue operation. At least you have some experience already with this species, which is a start.

[Commander]

Thanks to the good response from those who have volunteered. I have written to NParks and JTC and awaiting their response. We have little time, and if there are any other unknown species in that location we will also have to look out for them when we are on site.

I'll coordinate with everyone once the two stat boards reply.

Ant, will need your help in digging out the host plants and transplanting them at Hort Park for a short period before moving the plants to the new site.

I know that there's always a pesky fast-flying skipper in that location around the fig tree, which I've not been able to photograph properly. ;P

[Peacock Royal]

Depends on dates, I can chip in my help.

[Great Mormon]

Thanks to the good response from those who have volunteered. I have written to NParks and JTC and awaiting their response. We have little time, and if there are any other unknown species in that location we will also have to look out for them when we are on site.

I'll coordinate with everyone once the two stat boards reply.

Ant, will need your help in digging out the host plants and transplanting them at Hort Park for a short period before moving the plants to the new site.

I know that there's always a pesky fast-flying skipper in that location around the fig tree, which I've not been able to photograph properly. ;P

ok, I have already asked Gary for help. We are keen in helping, but Gary wants to meet up with Sunny (or those who have bred this species before) to know more. KRP is just a short walk away, we could act as a staging area for the relocation.

I dont mind spending the weekends to maintain the holding area for the pupa/cats/butts or even spending time to dig the plants out.

[Wanderer]

not sure of what i can help, but do count me in as a labour.

[Bluebottle]

Can chip in if date is allowed.

[Common Mime]

If the dates are fine with my schedule, I can offer some helps.

[atronox]

Has the relocation site been confirmed?

[Silverstreak]

Announced in NaturePixels (http://www.naturepixels.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=9573) and Nature Thread at Clubsnap (http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5414610#post5414610)


Will be meeting Gary of Hort Park next week to see feasibilities in tying up with them on the breeding plans

Tomolo Anthony , Mark and myself will do a site survey to ascertain that they are still around.........





Saving the Harlequin Part III

ButterflyCircle has met up with JTC , the developers of the site where the Harlequin is found. Taking a look at the plans, the entire Harlequin site will be wiped out permanently. The widening of the road adjacent to the site will effectively cut right into the area where the Harlequins are most often found. We have a window period of only 6 months before the tractors move in to level the place.

Whilst it cannot be avoided, JTC has asked ButterflyCircle to help in the translocation of the remaining population of the Harlequin, host plants and whatever that we can salvage from the site.

We are co-ordinating with JTC and Nparks to assist in the the Final Translocation of the butterfly on Saving the Harlequin Part III

Read all about BC's earlier efforts to translocate the Harlequin.

Saving the Harlequin I (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-1.html)
Saving the Harlequin II (http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2007/11/saving-harlequin-part-2.html)


Cheers!

[Silverstreak]

Tomolo Anthony , Mark and myself will do a site survey to ascertain that they are still around........


....cancelled due inclement weather.

[Silverstreak]

Visited Harlequin site with Hortpark staffs today, to lay the ground work for the breeding and translocation of the Harlequin . Some host plant were collected together with 2 males and 3 females for Horpark's initial breeding attempt.

The Harlequin are around , however not as many as before. We are likely to have 3-4 life-cycle-time frame for this final attempts to boost our chances in saving this species. Hence the collection of limited adults from the site will have to be carefully scheduled.

When khew has tied up with JTC and Npark, we will finalize the schedule on how we can roster volunteers to help in the program.

A shot of a male on-site today

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/_K3_0860.jpg


:cheers:

[benetay]

Top shot. Damn nice. I wish the success of the relocation.

Cheers!

[The Plane]

Nice shot. This must be a very interesting project involving so parties. Hope it will be quickly completed and successful.

[atronox]

Excellent shot of the male, Sunny.:)

[Silverstreak]

The Harlequin cannot wait for the "The Red Tapes" at Nparks and JTC to clear.:-(

We have to take the matters into our hands with some urgency. We cannot let these two organisations continue to talk till the Harlequin on site come home!

I had briefed HortParks core staffs on the project and familiarized them on the Harlequin ground last month .

A few adults were captured for Hortpark during the visit. Three Hortpark staffs and Anthony were briefed on how to take care of the adults and induced them to lay eggs in captivity and the farming of these eggs to adults. Some seeds and young hostplant of Ardisia elliptica were also taken by Hortpark for propagation.

The first batch of Harlequin bred from the eggs laid has eclosed . With this success . I have confident that Horpark's Team and BC members can proceed with the Save The Harlequin III Project.

Someone will have to organized this Push, as I will only be available to assist in an advisory capacity.

:cheers:

[Great Mormon]

sunny, we are planning on going down to collect more eggs for breeding again.... the 1st batch of harlequins eclosed successfully :cheers:

[Silverstreak]

This is purely a personal effort :

14 adults that eclosed this morning will be released onto site A later in the day , weather permitting .

In hand another 40 odd pupae awaiting eclosion and 50 cats at 3rd instar.

Due to the red tapes and difficulties involved in getting the various authorities to walk their talk. is purely a personal effort, not link to any organisation or site.

Personally to hell with all these bureaucracy. What is important, to me that is , is to give this rather rare species a chance to survive..........everything else is nonsense!


Cheers!
__________________

[Peacock Royal]

Well done, Sunny. :thumbsup:
Let me know if I can help you in whatever way.

[Silverstreak]

I will have some time in beginning of December. Like-minded individuals are welcome to join me on a personal basis for the final push, with or without the official blessing from Npark and JTC.




:cheers:

[Wanderer]

all the best, sunny! I'll be away most of Dec, so can't join you :(

[Silverstreak]

Anyway this confirms what many ppl say of the civil service - and how true, here it goes (a direct translation from Hokkien):

"Whether work not don't work just wait for the 10th of each month (pay day)" - Cos the pay will automatically go into your pocket :devil:


Rules are regulations are men made and men regulated. These rules are well intended, however , if those regulating them are more concerned with the authority vested in them than the spirit of these rules. They are no better than a non- thinking PC and perhaps they should be replace with a dumb PC.


The site will be demolished in 3 months time. I will be doing this last leg of the project WITHOUT the sanction of Nparks Biodiversity Centre and JTC ( the owner of the land). The are sitting on it .

And if they want to throw their book at me to show their authority and also indifference they are most welcome to do so!

Like-minded nature loving people who want to lend a helping hand are welcome to PM me .

[Silverstreak]

80 adults bred from eggs released so far. Another 40 pupae on hand.

[Silverstreak]

Another batch of approx. 30 Harlequin were released in the last two days.

3 year old Luke has been giving a helping hand in feeding, cleaning from 5 instar cats to eclosion . He was given the honor of releasing them.:)


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/_K3_0152.jpg


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/_K3_0148.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/_K3_0142.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/_K3_0154.jpg


:cheers:

[butterfly_effect]

great work sunny n sunny jnr jnr!

[Glorious Begum]

well done :cheers:

[Great Mormon]

well done Sunny! Great work!

With this last effort, I'm confident that the Harlequin will not go extinct in Singapore! :thumbsup:

[Great Mormon]

Released another batch of Harlequins where they were 1st spotted...

Yusri carrying the tank of newly eclosed Harlequins to the site..
http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Yusri%20and%20harlequins.jpg

A girl preparing to hop out of the tank
http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Harlequin%201.jpg

Freedom!!
http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Harlequin%202.jpg

Feeding?
http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Harlequin%203.jpg

http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Harlequin%205.jpg

Lin htet saying his farewell to his little friend...
http://www.butterflycircle.com/files/harlequin/Lin%20htet%20and%20Harlequin.jpg

[Commander]

Well done to Sunny, Anthony and the Hort Park Butt Garden staff. :cheers:

[Wanderer]

well done! :cheers:

[Silverstreak]

A batch of approx 26 adults from the site was trans-located to site A.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/1DMK3----0629---30_12_2009.jpg


Another 10 adults were retained for another batch of eggs to breed them to pupae prior to releasing to the wild.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d156/Schir/1DMK3----0640---30_12_2009.jpg

:cheers:

[Great Mormon]

Well done Sunny! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Do your harlequins mate in captivity?

[atronox]

Well done Sunny! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Do your harlequins mate in captivity?
I'm not sure if nature would allow members of the same batch to mate:sweat:

[Painted Jezebel]

I'm not sure if nature would allow members of the same batch to mate:sweat:

Mother Nature is not fussy about this and 'in-breeding', as it is called, can and does occur with all animals, not just insects. However, it is not a wise move, as it makes the animal weaker, and more prone to disease. Successive in-breeding will eventually make the population die out, which is why we always say that there needs to be a viable population for an animal to survive.

[Silverstreak]

Les is right . They are not too selective, they mate from the same batch.

From those that I have collected for captive breeding they( males &females) are certainly from the same batch . Their life span is approximately 1-2 weeks .

Update

Last week I've collected approximately 38 individuals . 28 of them were release on site A and 10 females retained for captive harvesting of eggs . Obviously they are from different batches from the same general location, as they laid their eggs 3 days apart .

The first batch of of close to 4-500 eggs have hatched and the cats are feeding .

The second batch of close to 300 eggs should hatch within another day or too...I hope they are fertilized as well.


:cheers:

[atronox]

Thanks Les and Sunny.
I've read that nature tries to avoid that as far as possible coz, like u said, it can weaken the next generation.

[Silverstreak]

Very high attrition rate for the first batch of 1st instar cats left them on the host plant ..... half of them stop eating and fall off the leaves while around 200 are still munching happily.:-(

Will harvest the egg laden leaves from the second batch and keep them in container instead of leaving them on the plant to see if they fair better.

[Silverstreak]

Update:

Approximatley 60 3-4th instar caterpillars were introduced to two additional sites on the main island last week.

Aprox 60 pupae due for eclosion in the next few days , and 30-40 3rd instar caterpillars took a boat ride to Pulau Ubin and are now under the good care of Npark Ubin.


:cheers:

[Wanderer]

:cheers: great job, sunny!

[Great Mormon]

Thats good news sunny! Great work!