Butterflies Galore! : Peacock Royal

Butterflies Galore!
The Peacock Royal (Tajuria cippus maxentius)

The Peacock Royal is a widely distributed butterfly in Singapore, and can be encountered as regularly in urban parks and gardens as it is in nature reserves. It is usually skittish and alert but can be approached easily at times, especially when it is feeding, or just resting with its wings folded upright. The upperside of the male is a iridescent royal blue, whilst the female is pale blue. The underside is greyish white with dark grey striae. The hindwing features a pair of tails.

This Peacock Royal was photographed by ButterflyCircle member Loke PF. The species' full life history is recorded on its preferred host plant, Dendrophthoe pentandra, a common parasitic plant.

Butterflies Galore! : Apefly

Butterflies Galore!
The Apefly (Spalgis epius epius)

The common name for this species probably originated from its pupa which, when viewed from a certain angle, resembles the face of an ape. The species is quite widespread in Singapore, although it is by no means common. The caterpillars of the Apefly feed on coccids or mealy bugs, hence the butterfly appears where its caterpillar's food source is available. The species is therefore not dependent on any particular species of host plant.

This female Apefly was photographed by ButterflyCircle member Sunny Chir. The species usually flies around restlessly but occasionally stops to rest on the top surfaces of leaves with its wings folded upright. On rare occasions, it is observed to open its wings partially to show its uppersides when sunbathing.

Butterflies Galore! : Colonel

Butterflies Galore! 
The Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope)

This skittish species is a moderately rare butterfly in Singapore, but can be seen in areas where its caterpillar host plant, Uncaria sp., is found. Usually found in forested areas, it can be approached much easier when it is feeding, particularly on the ripened fruits of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum). The wings of the Colonel are orange above with dark brown stripes and markings. The underside is paler orange but the basal area of the wings are a greenish grey.

This individual was shot whilst it was distracted when feeding. It is usually very alert and has a wide circle of fear. When alarmed it takes off to the treetops and perches in a safe location on the top of a leaf. Its life history has been fully recorded in Singapore and can be found here.

Life History of the Orange Emigrant

Life History of the Orange Emigrant (Catopsilia scylla cornelia)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Catopsilia Hübner, 1819
Species: scylla Linnaeus, 1763
Subspecies: cornelia Fabricius, 1787
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 50-60mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plant: Senna surattensis (Fabaceae).

An Orange Emigrant taking nectar from a flower.

A male Orange Emigrant displaying its upperside.

A close-up view of the head of an Orange Emigrant.

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the upperside, the forewing is white with a black border and the hindwing is deep chrome-yellow. In addition, the female has a black post-discal fascia on the forewing and a series of black marginal spots on the hindwing. On the underside, the wings are yellow with intermittent, faint brown post-discal spots. A brown ring marking can be found at the cell-end on both wings.

Butterflies Galore! : Colour Sergeant

Butterflies Galore!
The Colour Sergeant (Athyma nefte subrata)

The Colour Sergeant has two female forms - f-neftina with orange and black bands, and f-subrata with brown and black bands. Of the two forms, f-neftina is the one that is more commonly encountered. The species is widely distributed in Singapore, and can be found in urban parks, although its preferred habitat is still the forested areas.

This shot, taken by veteran ButterflyCircle member Sunny Chir, shows a female f-neftina Colour Sergeant's upper wing surfaces. At certain opportune angles, an accomplished photographer can focus on the butterfly itself, and throw the background completely out of focus to enable the subject to stand out prominently, as shown in this shot.

Butterflies Galore! : Purple Duke

Butterflies Galore!
The Purple Duke (Eulaceura osteria kumana)

Yesterday, we featured a female Purple Duke feeding on the ripened fruit of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum). Today's feature butterfly is yet another Purple Duke, but this time, it's a male , also feeding on the ripened fruit of the same plant. The species is common in Singapore, and at times, up to 6 or more individuals can be seen in a small patch of forest. Can you spot and compare the difference between the male and female of the species?

The Purple Duke has a propensity of flying rapidly for short distances and then settling on the underside of a leaf with its wings folded upright when it is disturbed. This behaviour is quite consistent with the regular sightings of this species. This shot was taken by ButterflyCircle member Huang CJ at the nature reserves last weekend.

Butterflies Galore! : Purple Duke

Butterflies Galore!
The Purple Duke (Eulaceura osteria kumana)

The relative abundance of its caterpillar host plant, Gironniera nervosa in the forested areas of Singapore, coupled with the habitats that it prefers, could be the reasons why the Purple Duke is a common butterfly in Singapore. This forest-dependent species is seldom found outside the nature reserves. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism where the male and female appear quite different from each other.

Here is a shot of the female Purple Duke feeding on the ripened fruit of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum).  Note the long bright green proboscis probing into the fruit to get the much-needed nutrients. This shot was taken by ButterflyCircle member Loke PF.