Butterfly of the Month - March 2019

Butterfly of the Month - March 2019

The Common Four Ring (Ypthima huebneri)

A Common Four Ring perches on the tip of a leaf with its wings folded upright

The hot humid month of March is upon us, as temperatures seem to soar much higher than usual. The weather app on my iPhone appears to read above 32degC on most days for the past couple of weeks and the "feels like" temperatures can top 38degC around noon. The high Relative Humidity doesn't help much, as the short occasional showers just made it worse.

Our general landscape in the parks and gardens looks parched and dry and trails that we have walked in the nature reserves recently are crackling with dry leaf litter. The meteorological station's forecast predicts more hot weather in the coming weeks. During such months, water is more precious than usual, both for us humans and everything else in our natural world.

Speaking of water, it has been very much in the news of late, and our 'friendly' nonagenarian politician up north has been harping on an age-old issue of the price of water that Singapore buys from neighbouring Johor. Despite Singapore's efforts to be self-sufficient in its own supply of potable water via PUB's four national taps, one national tap - imported water from Malaysia, still makes up at least 20% of the daily demand.

A Common Four Ring opens its wings to sunbathe in the early morning hours of the day

Under a 1962 Water Agreement with Malaysia, Singapore is allowed to draw water from the Johor River and Linggiu Reservoir, with a provision that Singapore treats and provides 2% of this water back to Johor. The supply from this imported source is up to 250 million gallons of water per day up to 2061 - 51 years left to go.

The current dispute over the price of water is a thorny issue that continues to strain bilateral ties - depending on the politicians of the day. Only when Singapore completely eliminates this dependence on Malaysia for its water needs, will this off-again, on-again threats continue. It is only when our taps run dry, or when fresh clean water becomes unavailable, that we realise the importance of this critical natural resource that we normally take for granted.

A mating pair of the Common Four Ring

Our Butterfly of the Month for March 2019 is a small and usually under-appreciated Satyrinae, the Common Four Ring (Ypthima huebneri). The genus that this species belongs to comprises small, greyish-brown and streaked butterflies that frequent open grassy habitats at the forest edge. The English common name for the "Ring" butterflies refer to the number of rings on the hindwing of the various species.

The Common Four Ring is the smallest of the Ypthima species in Singapore. Rather local in distribution, the species is not considered very common except at the handful of habitats which it favours. It is a weak flyer and stays close to the ground in shaded grassy areas near the nature reserves. As its caterpillar feeds on the grass Ottochloa nodosa, it is usually found in the vicinity of its host plant. Where it occurs, usually several individuals are seen together.

The Common Four Ring has a greyish-brown undersides with fine striations on both wings. The forewing has a large yellow-ringed black ocelli with a pair of bluish dots within the black ocelli. The hindwing has four yellow-ringed black ocelli with a blue dot in each of the black ocelli. The arrangement, size and contiguity is very variable and the spectrum of diversity is discussed in an earlier article here.

Common Four Rings feeding on various flowers

Both males and females of the Common Four Ring are observed feeding on flowering plants in the forested areas, like Mile-A-Minute, Bandicoot Berry, Singapore Daisy and others. In the early morning hours, the butterfly can be seen fluttering around low shrubbery and grasses and then stopping to open its wings to sunbathe. As the day progresses and it gets warmer, the Common Four Ring tends to stop to rest with its wings folded upright.

It is also interesting that, for such a small butterfly that is moderately common, its total life history takes about 45-50 days from egg to eclosion - relatively long. The host plant, a common grass that grows easily along cleared forest edges, is also a host plant to at least five Hesperiidae, other Ypthima spp. and Mycalesis spp. So a common humble grass is important to these species of butterflies for their continued survival.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by David Chan, David Ho, Khew SK, Koh CH, Loh MY and Loke PF.

Assorted Nectaring Plants - Part 3

Butterflies' Nectaring Plants
Assorted Flowering Plants - Part 3


A male Common Birdwing feeding on the flower of the Hibiscus

In the next part of our observations of butterflies' nectaring plants, we feature a further six species of flowering plants which butterflies visit to feed upon the flowers. Again, we reiterate that some of these attractive-looking and colourful flowers (to us humans) may make us assume that they are rich with nectar and will attract all sorts of insects to feed on them. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A female Quedara monteithi monteithi feeding on the flower of the White Mussaenda

One classic example is roses. To us humans, not only do roses look attractive, the fragrance of a bouquet of roses appeals to most. Gardener enthusiasts of this colourful plant will probably be the best source of information as to whether butterflies visit roses for nectar. As it turns out, roses are apparently not attractive to butterflies and very rarely do we see butterflies visiting the colourful roses to feed on. Perhaps some experts can share their experience with us?

13. Hibiscus / China Rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)


A female Common Birdwing feeding on the multi-layer flower of a Hibiscus hybrid

Back to our nectaring plants, and the first one in this article would be the China Rose or better known to most people as Hibiscus. Belonging to the Malvaceae family, the Hibiscus is characterized by a trumpet- shaped receptacle, five petals and a long pollen tube. The flower measures from 5 to 14 cm broad. Cultivars with flowers of many colours are used as ornamental plants. Some are double or have differently shaped petals.


A male Great Mormon feeding on the flower of the Hibiscus

Butterflies that visit the bright red Hibiscus flower to feed on its nectar are usually the larger species of the Papilionidae and some Pieridae. The physical characteristics of the flower itself, being large in size with an extended pollen tube would suggest that a butterfly trying to extract nectar from the flower would need a long proboscis to reach the nectar.



The Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia. Also called the Bunga Raya, the large and attractive flower won over several other candidates and was named the national flower in 1960. The plant is cultivated in many parks and gardens and its multiple cultivars that come in a whole variety of colours from reds and pinks to yellows and whites.

14. White Mussaenda (Mussaenda philippica 'Aurorae')


A Common Birdwing feeding on the orange flower of the White Mussaenda bush

This interesting plant from the Rubiaceae family grows as a large bush up to 3m tall and is cultivated in parks and gardens but may also grow wild in the forested nature reserves. The flowers of the Mussaenda are small, orange to yellow-orange and are tubular and star-shaped. They are arranged in small clusters known as corymbs and produce large, white, egg-shaped sepals that are up to 8 cm long. In many other species and cultivars, these attractive sepals can range from crimson red to pink and yellow.


A Great Helen feeding on the flower of the White Mussaenda


The tiny flowers of the White Mussaenda also attracts a variety of Hesperiidae to feed on it

The very small and sparse flowers of the Mussaenda attracts some butterflies in a very curious way. The long tubular shape of the flower requires an equally long proboscis to reach the nectar and it is for this reason that we have only observed butterflies that sport long proboscis feeding at this flower. Amongst the large Papilionidae, the Common Birdwing and Great Helen are regular feeders where the plant can be found, whilst the long-proboscis Hesperiidae have also been photographed on the Mussaenda flowers.

15. Thoroughwort (Eupatorium squamosum)


A male Blue Spotted Crow feeding on the florets of the Thoroughwort

This almost weed-like plant is not often found in the many species of flowering plants that are cultivated in our parks and gardens. However, where it grows, it is another Danainae "magnet" just like the False Dill or DogFennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and Indian Heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum). These plants probably contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which the Danainae need for their reproductive function and to maintain their distastefulness to predators.



A number of the Tigers and Crows are attracted to E. squamosum and cultivating it as part of the landscape palette in parks and gardens will probably add to the diversity of butterflies attracted to a landscaped butterfly garden. Curiously, we have not observed other species of butterflies feeding on the flowers of this plant.

16 . Straits or Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum)


A female Common Red Flash feeding on the flower of the Singapore Rhododendron

This plant from the Melastomaceae family is more well known as a butterfly attractant due to its ripened fruits, rather than for its flowers. When the plant is fruiting, the fermenting sugars in the fruits can attract a large variety of species of butterflies. The plant is also a caterpillar host plant for several species of butterflies.



The Satyrinaes are amongst the butterfly species that are observed on the flower of the Singapore Rhododendron

The attractive purple-pink flowers with bright yellow stamens have occasionally attracted various species of butterflies to feed on it. However, it is not a preferred nectaring plant, and there have been observations of large flowering bushes of the Singapore Rhododendron, but not a butterfly in sight! On the occasions that some species are seen on the flowers, it is usually in the early morning hours of the day. The Common Palmfly, Dark Brand Bush Brown, Malayan Eggfly, Malay Viscount, Malay Baron and Common Red Flash have been photographed on the flower of this plant.

17. Golden Net-Bush (Pseuderanthemum carruthersii)


A Dark Glassy Tiger on the flower of the Golden Net-Bush

A plant that has been cultivated in butterfly gardens, more to sustain the population of the Autumn Leaf (Doleschallia bisaltide bisaltide) as its alternative caterpillar host plant, the Golden Net-Bush's flowers sometimes attract butterflies to feed on it. The pretty white flowers with pink centres grow on long upright stalks and this is where some butterflies are observed to be attracted to feed on the flowers.


A Palm Bob feeding on the flower of the Golden Net-Bush

The Golden Net-Bush is an attractive shrub that adds to the colour and lushness of a landscaped garden - mainly due to its large light green net-veined leaves. However, due to the voraciousness of the Autumn Leaf's caterpillars, the bush may be defoliated very quickly if there are many caterpillars of this species on the plant.

18. White Weed (Ageratum conyzoides)


A Yellow Glassy Tiger feeding on the flower of the White Weed

This weed from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family is native to tropical Brazil. In Singapore, it appears as a wild flower in disturbed wasteland and cleared areas. It is considered an invasive weed in some countries and eradicated. Even in a landscaped butterfly garden, it is sometimes removed before it overwhelms other plants.



The mauve (light bluish purple) flowers are attractive to some species of butterflies. The Danainaes seem to like the flowers for nectar. Due to the small size of the flowers, they are well-suited for the Lycaenidae and some of these smaller sized butterflies have been seen to stop at the flowers for their daily food supply.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Bob Cheong, Brian Goh, Khew SK and Loke PF

Assorted Nectaring Plants - Part 1
Assorted Nectaring Plants - Part 2

Albatrosses of Singapore

Albatrosses of Singapore
Featuring the Albatross Butterflies in Singapore


A group of puddling male Chocolate Albatross - common in Malaysia but a seasonal visitor to Singapore

The Pieridae family (collectively referred to as Whites and Sulphurs), feature a number of butterflies that are basically white and yellow. Many species in the family are also well-known for their migratory tendencies and sometimes in masses. Whilst observations of mass migration of the Pieridae species seem to be quite rare in recent years, they are still often encountered in numbers when puddling at sandy streambanks in Malaysian forests.

A male Striped Albatross feeding on the flower of the Spanish Needle

Amongst the species in the family are several genera of butterflies that are referred to as "Albatross". Perhaps these butterflies' names were coined as a reference to the large white seabirds. Many of these butterflies are indeed predominantly white with rather pointed forewings. Over the years, we have recorded only one extant resident species and one other regular seasonal visitor to Singapore. From the past recent years' observation records, three other occasional visitors have been spotted in various parts of Singapore. However, these are very rare, and probably stray vagrants blown over to Singapore by strong prevailing winds during certain seasons.

1. The Striped Albatross (Appias olferna olferna)



The only extant and resident Albatross species is the Striped Albatross. A commonly found species in urban areas where its caterpillar host plant, Cleome rutidosperma (Purple Cleome) grows wild. Previously classified as a subspecies of Appias libythea, a series of discussions and papers have elevated the Southeast Asian species to Appias olferna.





Upperside and underside of male and female Striped Albatross

The male Striped Albatross is white with prominent black veins on the underside. The wing base of the male is tinged with yellow. The female has broad grey markings making the butterfly appear darker and greyer, whilst its hindwings are more generously shaded with yellow. Males can sometimes be seen puddling at damp sandy trails and streambanks, whilst females are usually found feeding at flowers.

2. The Chocolate Albatross (Appias lyncida vasava)



Upperside of male (top) and female (bottom) Chocolate Albatross

The Chocolate Albatross is a common species in Malaysia (sometimes abundant is more appropriately used to describe its status). However, in Singapore, it is seasonal and only makes its appearance in certain months of the year. Several individuals appear quite suddenly and sightings of both males and females have been reported all around the island. Then, as abruptly as they appeared, the species disappears altogether until the next season. Thus far, they have been observed quite regularly over the years but have never been considered a 'resident' species in Singapore.




The Chocolate Albatross is a regular but seasonal visitor to Singapore

The male Chocolate Albatross has white uppersides, with a black dentate border. The underside of the hindwing is a bright lemon-yellow with a broad dark brown border. The female appears almost medium grey as the upperside is heavily dark dusted with broad bands across both wings, whilst the underside is grey, with the hindwing generously dusted with yellow. Males of the Chocolate Albatross have often been seen congregating at damp streambanks to puddle, whilst females are more often spotted feeding on flowering plants.

3. The Lesser Albatross (Appias paulina distanti)



Sightings of the Lesser Albatross are few and only in recent years have yielded confirmed evidence that this species has made an appearance in Singapore. The species is not uncommon in Malaysia, but a few seasonal vagrants have made their way into Singapore and recorded accordingly over the years.


The upperside of a male Lesser Albatross showing the distinct black spot in space 3 of the forewing

Males have white wings with a distinct black spot in space 3 of the forewing above, attached to the black marginal border. The female has a thick black marginal border on both wings. The underside is cream to pale yellow and there are two forms in the female of this species. The species, like its related cousins in the genus, are often found puddling at damp streambanks in forested areas.

4. The Malaysian Albatross (Saletara panda distanti)


A male Malaysian Albatross with its distinctive yellow undersides

This species is recorded in Singapore from a single confirmed rare sighting of a female in the nature reserves. Again another re-discovery, it appears that many species of theses "Albatrosses" were indeed extant in Singapore in the mid-1950's onwards, but somehow disappeared as Singapore developed.




The Malaysian Albatross is variable in its colour, ranging from creamy white to lemon yellow. The upperside of the male is white with a narrow black border along the costal edge and running along the termen. The female has broad greyish borders on both wings and the colour of the hindwing may vary from white to a creamy yellow. Both sexes have been spotted puddling at damp sandy streambanks.

5. The Orange Albatross (Appias nero figulna)



A most recent re-discovery in 2018, the wings of a dead female Orange Albatross were collected and identified. Whilst there was an unconfirmed sighting of this species on Sentosa Island some time in the mid-1990's no other reliable sightings have been recorded. Documented as an extant species by the early authors, it was apparently regularly sighting in the early 1970's in parts of Singapore but has not been seen since until the 1990's. Not considered a common species, even in Malaysia (usually single specimens turn up at puddling grounds together with other more common species like the Chocolate Albatross), it is probably a rare seasonal vagrant that may appear in Singapore from time to time.


A basking male Orange Albatross showing its uppersides 

The Orange Albatross is the most colourful and attractive of the Albatrosses. In the male, the butterfly is dark orange above with prominent black veins on both wings, whilst the underside is a light yellowish orange. Females are more heavily dark dusted with broad wing borders and usually a deeper orange than the male.


An Orange Albatross perches on a leaf to rest after feeding

And here we have the five Albatrosses that have been recorded in Singapore, and we should continue to keep our eyes peeled for these species that seasonally make their way to Singapore from time to time. The only local resident species, the Striped Albatross, is considered common should continue to sustain itself in the years to come.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Khew SK and Tea Yi Kai