Butterflies Galore! : Fluffy Tit

Butterflies Galore!
The Fluffy Tit (Zeltus amasa maximinianus)

This long-tailed Lycaenid, or Hairstreak, is moderately common and widespread in distribution. It can be found in urban parks and gardens as well as in the sanctuary of Singapore's forested nature reserves. It can fly quite rapidly amongst the treetops but comes down to the forest floor to puddle occasionally. In the nature reserves it likes to feed on the flowers of the Bandicoot Cherry (Leea indica).

Males are regularly observed to puddle at moist sandbanks in the nature reserves. This individual was shot puddling by ButterflyCircle member Chng CK at the Dairy Farm Nature Park recently. Note the long white twirling tails and the shorter pair along the vein beside it. There is a characteristic prominent rounded black spot at the base of space 7 on the hindwing.