tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41319447046848210412024-03-27T09:06:16.864-07:00Butterfly MuseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-58701292523401811412014-05-19T17:58:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.704-07:00Butterflies Galore! : CruiserButterflies Galore!The Cruiser (Vindula dejone erotella)This medium sized butterfly is regularly seen in the forests in Singapore. With a wingspan of about 70-80 cm, the brightly-coloured orange male is very noticeable when it flutters amongst the shrubbery and along forest paths. Males are a rich fulvous orange above, with a paler discal band. The underside is similarly coloured, but paler, withAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-58427404414816145012014-05-15T05:08:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.785-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Green OakblueButterflies Galore!The Green Oakblue (Arhopala eumolphus maxwelli)The male Green Oakblue is one of three extant species of the genus Arhopala that features metallic green uppersides instead of the usual purple or dark blue uppersides that are more common amongst the species in the genus. The female of the Green Oakblue, however, features purple uppersides with broad black borders on both wings (Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-23350343621360109722014-05-11T21:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.859-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Plain TigerButterflies Galore! The Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus)The Plain Tiger is a common urban species that has been spreading around Singapore's parks and gardens ever since its caterpillar host plants, Calotropis gigantea and Asclepias curassavica, have been cultivated as butterfly-attracting plants. Back in the 1990's, the species was relatively unknown in the urban environment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-34039809831597034012014-05-10T03:21:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.868-07:00Revision to the Common Names of ButterfliesA Revision to the Common Names of ButterfliesPart 1 : Changes Due to Socially Unacceptable ReasonsA pair of mating Niggers (!!)After the excitement and fanfare of our most recent butterfly book, featuring butterflies from the South East Asian countries of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand died down, I managed to find some time to read the book in greater detail. Also, remembering some Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-46056321940611359362014-05-07T19:07:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.942-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Pale Grass BlueButterflies Galore!The Pale Grass Blue (Zizeeria maha serica)This species was first discovered by veteran ButterflyCircle member Steven Neo in 2001. Photographs that were sent to Col Eliot in 2003 were verified by him that this the taxon Zizeeria maha serica which originates from Hong Kong. The Pale Grass Blue may have hitched a ride into Singapore via horticultural material imported from the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-77380379417369567022014-05-05T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:22.951-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Chocolate AlbatrossButterflies Galore!The Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida vasava)The Chocolate Albatross is a fast-flying Pierid that has been recorded in Singapore as a rare seasonal migrant. At this point in time, it has not established a resident colony in Singapore yet, but the species is regularly sighted almost every year during the peak butterfly season in the region. In Malaysia, the species is Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-55026391044917925482014-05-03T06:07:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.025-07:00Life History of the Besta Palm DartLife History of the Besta Palm Dart (Telicota besta bina)Butterfly Biodata: Genus: Telicota Moore, 1881 Species: besta Evans, 1949 Sub-species: bina Evans, 1949 Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 39-48mmCaterpillar Local Host Plants: Ottochloa nodosa (Poaceae; common name: Slender Panic Grass), Scleria bancana (Cyperaceae; common name: Winged Scleria).A female Besta Palm Dart. A male Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-7269579953184587892014-04-25T18:31:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.037-07:00New Butterfly Book Launched!New Butterfly Book Launched"Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand"ButterflyCircle members with Dr KirtonDr Laurence G Kirton's latest book in the Naturalist's Guide series, entitled "Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand" was finally launched on 24 Apr 2014. We had earlier had a sneak peek at the book which started some time back in 2011.After some months Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-56943593527001189172014-04-23T18:40:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.111-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Great HelenButterflies Galore!The Great Helen (Papilio iswara iswara)This large swallowtail is one of Singapore's forest-dependent species that is rarely, if ever, found in urban parks and gardens. They are often seen flying erratically amongst the treetops and stopping to feed when Saraca and Syzygium trees are flowering. A large species with a wingspan reaching 140mm in females, the Great Helen Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-25058581831714471912014-04-19T07:01:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.119-07:00Butterfly of the Month - April 2014Butterfly of the Month - April 2014The Elbowed Pierrot (Caleta elna elvira)The hot and dry months of February and March in Singapore finally gave way to the much-needed April showers. It was certainly a welcome relief for the parched vegetation and almost like magic, one could see fresh green sprouts of grass and new shoots emerge from the trees. Well into the month of April, many trees Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-35826721195791930542014-04-18T06:24:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.193-07:00A Two Pierid WeekendA Two Pierid WeekendNew Discoveries in Singapore - Species #310 & #311The exceptionally dry weather and then the tail end of the Northeast monsoon winds bringing a burst of rainfall to southern Johor and Singapore may have been the catalyst for a burst of flowering all over the island. But it brought two new surprises as well, in terms of butterfly observations.Ben Jin's shot of a female Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-80572560106251122202014-04-11T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.202-07:00A Sneak Peek : New Butterfly BookA Sneak PeekButterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore & ThailandThere are, by far, many more books on birds in the Southeast Asian region than books on butterflies. Perhaps it is because there are more competent authors who are birders besides the assumption that birders in the region probably outnumber butterfly watchers by a ratio of 10:1! Ok, perhaps I'm exaggerating, but would someoneAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-4116239205670199282014-04-09T17:33:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.276-07:00Butterflies Galore! : BaronButterflies Galore!The Baron (Euthalia aconthea gurda)The Baron can usually be found in urban parks and gardens in the vicinity of where its caterpillar host plant, the mango (mangifera indica) is grown. It is a powerful flyer, like most of its related species in the Euthalia genus. Characteristic features are its robust body and flap-glide flying style.This female Baron was shot just Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-58911885727621240292014-04-06T21:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.284-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Black Veined TigerButterflies Galore!The Black Veined Tiger (Danaus melanippus hegesippus)This "Tiger" is a moderately common species in Singapore, but is usually seen singly. It is attracted to the flowers and dried plant of the Indian Heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum) whenever this plant is grown. The species resembles the more commonly-encountered Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia) but its broader hindwing Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-11836186814435336322014-04-05T05:38:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.359-07:00Life History of the Common RoseLife History of the Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris)Butterfly Biodata:Genus: Pachliopta Reakirt, 1865Species: aristolochiae Fabricius, 1793Subspecies: asteris Rothschild, 1908Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 65-85mmCaterpillar Local Host Plants: Aristolochia acuminata (Aristolochiaceae, common names: Indian Birthwort, Dutchman's Pipe), Aristolochia elegans (Aristolochiaceae, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-44292867090416743582014-04-03T07:45:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.368-07:00Butterflies Galore! : MalayanButterflies Galore!The Malayan (Megisba malaya sikkima)The Malayan resembles the more frequently-encountered Common Hedge Blue (Acytolepis puspa lambi) at a glance, but is much smaller, and features short filamentous tails at vein 2 of the hindwing. It is skittish but often stops to perch at its favourite leaves on warm sunny days. Unlike the Common Hedge Blue, the Malayan is brown and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-32838377547057743302014-03-29T05:35:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.442-07:00Nature Ways in SingaporeNature Ways in Singapore Connecting Areas of BiodiversityA group shot with NParks staff at Singapore Botanic GardensThis morning, I had a sharing session with a group of staff from the National Parks Board. Most of the staff were from the Landscaping and Arboriculture and Streetscape East Branches of the Streetscape Division, National Biodiversity Centre Division and Community Parks. It was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-86282494764544937772014-03-27T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.451-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Anderson's Grass YellowButterflies Galore!Anderson's Grass Yellow (Eurema andersonii andersonii)The Grass Yellows from the genus Eurema, are difficult to identify when they are in flight. Although they have quite distinctive diagnostic features that distinguish the various species, it is necessary for them to stop for a closer look before they can be identified with a fair level of confidence. In this shot, taken by Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-23141458281132507412014-03-26T18:47:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.526-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Arhopala amphimutaButterflies Galore!Arhopala amphimuta amphimuta Amongst the many lookalike species of butterflies in Singapore and Malaysia, this genus is probably one of the most challenging to identify. There are over 80 species in Malaysia alone, and more species are still being described from time to time. Although we have recorded only 16 species of Arhopala in Singapore, it is without doubt that there are Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-30068680076401496792014-03-24T21:26:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.535-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Yellow FlashButterflies Galore!The Yellow Flash (Rapala domitia domitia)The Yellow Flash (Rapala domitia domitia) is one of the rarer species in the genus Rapala of which there are currently seven reliably identified species in Singapore. Though rare, the Yellow Flash appears to be regularly observed in the forested areas of Singapore, and is widespread in distribution. It is skittish and a fast flyer and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-64889425248507257912014-03-22T06:17:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.609-07:00Life History of the Pale Grass BlueLife History of the Pale Grass Blue (Zizeeria maha serica)Butterfly Biodata: Genus: Zizeeria Chapman, 1910Species: maha Kollar, 1844 Subspecies: serica C. Felder, 1862 Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 20-25mmCaterpillar Local Host Plant: Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae, common names: Creeping Wood Sorrel, Yellow Wood Sorrel).Physical Description of Adult Butterfly: On the upperside, the male is Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-91522763145144333202014-03-20T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.618-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Elbowed PierrotButterflies Galore!The Elbowed Pierrot (Caleta elna elvira)The Elbowed Pierrot is a small black-and-white butterfly that flies mainly in the forested nature reserves of Singapore. It flies fast and erratically, usually at low level, searching for food along open footpaths and clearings. It also likes to perch on thin twigs to rest amongst the shrubbery. It is quite a rare sight to see this Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-22052829125452259472014-03-19T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.692-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Horsfield's BaronButterflies Galore!The Horsfield's Baron (Tanaecia iapis puseda)The male Horsfield's Baron is territorial, and often displays a behaviour where it perches on a few preferred vantage points and then fly out to "attack" anything that intrudes into its territory. The characteristic dark brown/black wings with a light blue marginal border across both wings up to the termen of the forewing sets it Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-1409333480709264862014-03-18T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.700-07:00Butterflies Galore! : Forget-Me-NotButterflies Galore!The Forget-Me-Not (Catochrysops strabo strabo)This Hairstreak is typical of the "Blues" in the family Lycaenidae that has many lookalikes that are challenging to identify, especially if the butterfly is flying erratically and does not stop for an observer to look for the distinguishing characteristics of each species. The Forget-Me-Not often flies in the company of its Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131944704684821041.post-85935496148825173612014-03-15T08:21:00.000-07:002014-05-21T14:11:23.775-07:00Butterfly of the Month - March 2014Butterfly of the Month - March 2014The Common Jay (Graphium doson evemonides)A Common Jay perched on a branch after getting its fill of nutrients whilst puddlingIt has been an interesting start to the first few months of 2014 ever since the cold and wet months of 2013, where Singapore had to struggle with flash floods and an over-abundance of water everywhere. Then suddenly, the North East Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06492124814024848066noreply@blogger.com0