Butterflies Galore! : Blue Pansy

Butterflies Galore!
The Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya wallacei)

The Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya wallacei) is one of four species in the genus that is found in Singapore. The species is a fast flyer and is often very skittish. The males feature an attractive upperside with bright blue hindwings. The species is common in urban parks & gardens and is usually active on hot sunny days. The local subspecies found in Malaysia and Singapore has the distinction of being named after the renowned ecologist and adventurer, Alfred Russell Wallace.

The underside of the Blue Pansy is more cryptic, and allows it to camouflage itself amongst dried leaves and undergrowth, when it is at rest with its wings folded upright. Here, it was photographed feeding on a Lantana flower at Tampines Eco Green.