Butterflies Galore! : Bush Hopper

Butterflies Galore!
The Bush Hopper (Ampittia dioscorides camertes)

This little skipper is local in distribution, but can be common where it occurs. Often, in its habitat where its caterpillar host plant, a type of grass, is abundant, several individuals can be seen fluttering together at low level. With a wingspan of only 20-22mm, it is a small butterfly and can often be missed, as it zips around the grassy patches. Males have a tendency to open and close their wings repeatedly as they stop and perch, unlike other skippers.

The male has more extensive orange on the forewings above, compared to the female, which is predominantly brown in appearance, with smaller yellowish spots. The underside is orange with spots and streaks typical of this species. In the shot above, this pristine male perches on a grass flower as it takes a rest from feeding.

Butterfly of the Month - December 2013

Butterfly of the Month - December 2013
The Dot Dash Sergeant (Athyma kanwa kanwa)

Twelve months have whizzed by, and it's now the final month of the year 2013. Indeed, time and tide wait for no one, and if you've procrastinated about doing something or visiting somewhere that you've always been wanting to, the year will soon be over if you've still not put your dreams into action.

Over in Singapore, it has been a very eventful month in the local scene. An incident, one that has not happened in Singapore for over 40 years, dominated the news. On the evening of 8 Dec 2013, a fatal accident involving a construction worker of Indian nationality sparked off a riot in the Little India precinct. A crowd of about 400 people, mainly from South Asia, reacted with violent anger at the accident, and a full-scale riot erupted. Police and emergency vehicles were overturned and set on fire. Many uniformed personnel were injured whilst trying to quell the riot and bring the situation under control.

As with any unusual incidents in Singapore, there were many video clips by bystanders that were posted on social media, accompanied by a wide variety of comments from netizens - some downright derogatory to the security agencies, others more level-headed and objective, whilst there were some that were totally hilarious. Whilst the keyboard warriors threw bouquets and brickbats online, the Singapore Police Force went about their jobs of arresting the perpetrators and dispensing the swift justice, that Singapore is well-known for, to the guilty parties.

Then on 16 Dec 2013, a man dressed up in Samurai garb, complete with a real samurai sword, boarded an MRT train. Tailed by police officers, the drama unfolded as passengers on the train gave him a wide berth, because he looked aggressive and wielded the unsheathed sword. After he disembarked, the police officers continued to trail him until they managed to apprehend him without anyone being hurt. News reports later mentioned that he was charged and then sent to the Institute of Mental Health for assessment.

These two "isolated" incidents has one wondering if the pressure-cooker society in Singapore had come to a stage where public displays of rage and violence were inevitable? Is the stress of living in a bustling but over-crowded city, coupled with the pressures of rising cost of living to blame? Or has Singapore become just like another cosmopolitan modern first-world city, complete with warts and all, and the safe haven that our little island nation is globally renown for is beginning to show some insurmountable cracks? As we look ahead to 2014, it will be a time for reflection and for the government and citizens to work hard to put things back in place where law and order take priority, where Singapore is safe and peaceful once again.

For this cold and wet month of 2013, we feature a Nymphalidae butterfly species, the Dot Dash Sergeant (Athyma kanwa kanwa). The butterfly is predominantly forest-dependent, and is usually encountered in the nature reserves of Singapore. It can be considered rare but has been observed with relative regularity within local areas within the forested nature reserves.

The Dot Dash Sergeant is one of five species of the genus Athyma in Singapore. Featuring the typical black-and-white striped wing patterns that all the species share, the butterflies of the genus are collectively called "Sergeants". Skittish and fast-flying, these robust butterflies are often observed sunbathing on the tops of leaves with their wings opened flat.

The species can be observed feeding at flowering plants and ripened fruits - particularly of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum). Occasionally, they have also been seen puddling at wet sandbanks that have been contaminated with animal excretions. The butterfly adopts a flap-glide flight, but is more robust and quick in flight than the closely related and superficially similar-looking Neptis species.

The Dot Dash Sergeant features the usual horizontal black and white stripes across the wings on the upperside. The white cell streak on the forewing is unbroken and separated from the sharp elongated triangular patch adjacent to it. The underside has the same pattern as the upperside, but is greyish brown instead of black.

The caterpillars of the Dot Dash Sergeant feed on various Uncaria spp. and the complete life history has been recorded here.

So ends the year 2013, and we look forward to an exciting year ahead. This Butterfly of the Month series has now completed its sixth year, featuring 74 species of our flying jewels in Singapore over a total of 73 months! All of us at ButterflyCircle would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Chng CK, Khew SK, Koh CH, Loke PF, Ellen Tan, Horace Tan & Bene Tay

Butterflies Galore! Silver Forget-Me-Not

Butterflies Galore!
The Silver Forget-Me-Not (Catochrysops panormus exiguus)

This Lycaenid was considered "extinct" in Singapore by the early authors, classifying it as 'not seen since the late 19th century. However, it was re-discovered in the late 90's during the NParks biodiversity surveys, and small colonies of the Silver Forget-Me-Not turned up in various locations, more regularly near mangrove and back-mangrove areas. The physical appearance of the butterfly is unremarkable, and quite typical of a small Lycaenid of which there are many lookalikes. The underside is greyish white featuring streaks and spots. There is an orange crowned black tornal spot and a pair of white-tipped filamentous tails.

The upperside is a pale silvery blue, mostly unmarked except for a black tornal spot on the hindwing in the male. Females are more heavily marked above with a broad dark grey apical borders and dull-blue wing bases. This shot, taken by ButterflyCircle member Koh Cher Hern at Pulau Ubin last weekend, shows a resting Silver Forget-Me-Not on a blade of grass.

Favourite Nectaring Plants #3

Butterflies' Favourite Nectaring Plants
The Prickly Lantana (Lantana camara)

This third article of butterflies' favourite nectaring plants features the Prickly Lantana. One of the all-time favourites of butterflies and other insects, the Prickly Lantana is visited by quite a large number of butterfly species - from the very small diminutive species like the Pygmy Grass Blue, to the large majestic butterflies like the Common Birdwing!



Typically, butterflies' choice of nectaring plants is quite dependent on the structure and size of the flowers relative to the length and diameter of the proboscis of the butterflies. The quality and quantity of the nectar that the flowers of the plants produce is probably another key factor in the popularity of the plants that butterflies frequently visit for their daily food supply.



Plant Biodata :

Family : Verbenaceae
Genus : Lantana
Species : camara
Country of Origin : Tropical America
English Common Name : Prickly Lantana, Shrub Verbena, Tick Berry
Other Local Names : Bunga Tahi Ayam, 马缨丹, 鸡屎花

The Prickly Lantana originated from tropical America The native range of the plant includes Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central America, Venezuela, and Colombia. It has become naturalized in tropical and warm regions worldwide. It can be seen in the wild and along footpaths, deserted fields, and wasteland areas that have been cleared. It thrives best where the climate is close to its native climate, with high heat and humidity. In some countries the Prickly Lantana is considered an invasive weed.

In Singapore, it can be found growing wild and rather untidily at the fringes of the nature reserves as well as a cultivated plant in urban parks and gardens. The plant is easily propagated by seeds, which are dispersed by birds, or through stem cuttings. It is an evergreen bush that prefers full sun where it can flower profusely throughout the year. It is related to the Snakeweed (another butterfly nectaring plant) and comes from the same Verbenaceae family.



The Prickly Lantana is a perennial multi-branched, upright, arching or scrambling shrub that usually grows 2-4 m tall which forms dense thickets. Stems are long and weak, square in cross section, prickly with glands on young parts. It can occasionally grow like a vine or a "climber" if given support by other vegetation, in which case it can even reach up to 15 m in height.




The mid-green leaves of the Prickly Lantana are matt, deeply veined and usually hairy and rough to the touch. The lamina pear or oval shaped, pointed to broadly-rounded apex, rounded base, with toothed margins. When the leaves are crushed, a strong and pungent odour is exuded, giving rise to its Malay name, "Bunga tahi ayam" which is literally translated as "chicken shit flower". In my opinion, the distinctive odour of the plant is not that offensive to give the poor plant such an unfortunate name!




The small flowers are borne in dense clusters, with each cluster containing about 20-40 flowers. These flower clusters are borne on stalks that originate in the leaf forks. Individual flowers are tubular and come in a great variety of colours (i.e. white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink or multi-coloured). In Singapore, flowering occurs throughout most of the year. The colourful flowers give the Prickly Lantana a certain attractiveness as a cultivated landscape plant in gardens.


From Left to Right : Newly formed fruits of the Lantana camara to the purple ripened berries

The fruits of the Prickly Lantana resemble 'berries' (they are actually drupes) and are slightly fleshy. The small, round fruits (5-8 mm across) are initially glossy green when fresh, but turn black, purplish-black or bluish-black as they mature and ripen. Each fruit contains a single hard and stony seed (2-4 mm long) at its centre. These seeds are light brown in colour and egg-shaped. The berries are edible when ripe, and is largely eaten by birds, which also aid in the dispersal of the plants.



The plant is believed to be mildly toxic and there have been reports of animals taken ill after ingesting the leaves of the bush. In traditional Southeast Asian medicine, the leaves are pounded and the paste applied to treat wounds, ulcers and swellings. A concoction of the leaf paste is also used to expel intestinal worms and to increase menstrual flow. An extract of the roots is believed to be able treat toothaches, inflammation and even veneral diseases such as gonorrhea!




Variety of colours of several cultivars of Lantana camara flowers

When cultivating the Prickly Lantana in gardens, it should be noted that successful flowering requires the plant to be placed in locations with full sun. It can tolerate poor soil and even slightly waterlogged locations but will not grow well in conditions that are too wet. The plant thrives in lowlands as well as mid-montane habitats such as Fraser's Hill in Malaysia.



Orange-red hybrids of Lantana camara

In a garden setting, it can sometimes inhibit the growth of other species of plants by the allelopathic substances produced by its shoots and roots. In Singapore, the plant is susceptible to leaf mould which damages the leaves of the plants into a wrinkly mess, and dries up the plant and gives it a straggly look. Under such circumstances, it would be better to remove the entire infected plant and start over again.



Butterflies love the flowers of the Prickly Lantana. Whether in the nature reserves or in public parks and gardens, when the flowers of this butterfly-attracting bush are in full bloom, chances are that you will see butterflies visiting the bush and feeding at the flowers. Amongst the various cultivars of the plant, bearing a whole range of colours, the orange-red flowered ones are the most attractive to butterflies.




Papilionidae species feeding on Lantana camara flowers

Despite the perceived small size of the flowers, the larger butterflies of the Papilionidae family also visit the flowers. This suggests that the structure of the flowers are designed such that butterflies of all sizes are able to probe their proboscis into the flower for nectar. It is also very likely that the concentration and quantity of nectar that the flowers produce makes the Prickly Lantana one of the favourite choices of butterflies for their nectar source.




Pieridae species feeding on Lantana camara flowers

Amongst the Pieridae, we have often seen the fast-flying Emigrants stopping at the Lantana flowers to feed, as would the various Grass Yellows as well. Practically all representatives of the butterfly families, perhaps with the exception of the Riodinidae, have been observed feeding on the flowers of the Prickly Lantana.



Satyrinae species feeding on Lantana camara flowers

Even the shade-loving Satyrinae, which are not often seen feeding at flowers, feed on the nectar from the Lantana flowers. The various Nymphalidae subfamilies like the Nymphalinae, Danainae, Heliconiinae and Limenitidinae are known to visit Lantana flowers.






A selection of Nymphalids feeding on Lantana camara flowers

Amongst the small butterflies of the Lycaenidae, many of the urban species like the Grass Blues, Flashes and others have also been observed to feed on nectar from Lantana. It would also be relevant to note that the flower buds and young shoots of the Lantana are also caterpillar food for some species like the Pygmy Grass Blue.



Lycaenidae species feeding on Lantana camara flowers

The fast-flying Hesperiidae, or Skippers also like the flowers of the Lantana, often visiting in the earlier hours of the morning. It is when butterflies are distracted whilst feeding on the Lantana flowers, that photographers can approach the usually skittish butterflies to take a good shot of them.




Hesperiidae species feeding on Lantana camara flowers

Despite the pungent smell of the leaves of the Prickly Lantana, many gardens that are planned to attract and enhance biodiversity often select this plant amongst the flowering horticultural palette. No urban butterfly garden can afford to be without the Prickly Lantana as a 'must-have' plant. Besides featuring attractively coloured flowers, the Prickly Lantana is one of the all-time favourites as a nectaring plant for butterflies.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Khew SK, Henry Koh, Horace Tan & Mark Wong

Other Favourite Nectaring Plants in this series :

#1 : Snakeweed (Stachytarpheta indica)
#2 : Stringbush (Cordia cylindristachya)

Butterflies Galore! : Long Banded Silverline

Butterflies Galore!
The Long Banded Silverline (Spindasis lohita senama)

This pretty Lycaenid is unique in that its early stages has 6 instars.  A large number of butterflies usually have 4-5 instars in their caterpillar stage. The Long Banded Silverline is also remarkable in the wide range of host plants, across several plant families, that its caterpillars are able to feed on. Amongst the host plants are : Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae), Melastoma malabathricum (Melastomataceae), Trema tomentosa (Ulmaceae), Talipariti tiliaceum (Malvaceae), Flagellaria indica (Flagellariaceae), Psidium guayava (Myrtaceae), Thespesia populnea (Malvaceae), Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae).

The Long Banded Silverline is very local, preferring a range of specific habitats, but it is quite widespread in distribution across Singapore. However, it cannot be said to be a very common butterfly, although where it can be found, more than a few individuals can usually be observed. The silver-centred reddish bands across both wings give the butterfly a unique appearance, whilst its four-tailed hindwings top off a very attractive butterfly.