Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies 6

A Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies
Part 6 : An Analysis of Name Changes


A mating pair of Dark Caeruleans (or is it Dark Ceruleans?)

In Part 6 of our discussion on Common Names of Butterflies in the Southeast Asian region, we continue with the remaining species in the Lycaenidae family for which recent references had updated or amended the English common names of these species. As in the earlier parts of this series, the primary reference that made significant changes to the common names is the book by Dr Kirton.

After writing the earlier parts, it is interesting to note that even with the rationalisation of certain common names, the regular usage of names in cyberspace and social media appears to take precedence over any printed literature. Once a name is coined and repeated through frequent usage and cross-referencing across the internet, these names are difficult to change.

A Pygmy (or Tiny?) Grass Blue perches on the flower bud of Lantana camara

In any case, we continue our discussion on some of these changes proposed by Dr Kirton in his book, Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The first species that we will discuss in this article is Zizula hylax pygmaea. Across the hardcopy references in the region, most books refer to it as the Tiny Grass Blue.

However, the common name Pygmy Grass Blue has more frequently been used in the Singapore context and the name appears to have been adopted by common usage in the local references. Perhaps it may be apt to use the name for subspecies pygmaea (where the common name makes sense when reference is made to the latin scientific name, for obvious reasons).

Recommendation : Zizula hylax pygmaea should retain its common name Pygmy Grass Blue but may also be simultaneously referred to as Tiny Grass Blue (Zizula hylax hylax) and its various subspecies in the Asian region.



Malaysian Butterflies - An Introduction (1983) by Prof Yong Hoi-sen : Chilades pandava is called Cycad Blue

The next species, Chilades pandava pandava, is a common urban species whose caterpillar feeds on the Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) and several other Cycas spp. (commonly referred to as Cycads). It is no wonder that the name Cycad Blue was coined by Prof Yong Hoi-sen in his book, Malaysian Butterflies - An Introduction, back in 1983. Elsewhere in the region, most references refer to this species as Plains Cupid.

A Guide to Common Butterflies of Singapore (1996) by Steven Neo : Chilades pandava is called Cycad Blue

In another Singapore reference, A Guide to Common Butterflies of Singapore, the author Steven Neo also referred to this species as Cycad Blue. In reference websites in the region, both names are used interchangeably in social media and other digital media.

Recommendation : Chilades pandava pandava is referred to by its common names Cycad Blue and Plains Cupid interchangeably, and there is no preference for either name through common usage, and time will tell which becomes the adopted name in this region.

The next group of butterflies under the Jamides genus comes under scrutiny. The common name that varies amongst different literature is how the name "Cerulean" is spelt. Some references show "Cerulean" whilst others show "Caerulean". Upon checking different sources, the spelling is correct in both cases.

Wikipedia references state that Cerulean and Caerulean are both correct, and the word refers to a colour with the hue ranging between blue and cyan. The etymology of "Cerulean/Caerulean" originates from the Latin word caeruleus, "dark blue, blue, or blue-green", which in turn probably derives from caerulum, diminutive of caelum, "heaven, sky".


Malaysian Butterflies - An Introduction (1983) by Prof Yong Hoi-sen uses "Caerulean" to refer to the Jamides spp.

Again, in Prof Yong's book in 1983, he spelt the name of these butterflies as "Caerulean". In Corbet and Pendlebury's Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula, the spelling "Caerulean" is adopted. Elsewhere in the region, Cerulean is more commonly used. In both editions of Butterflies of Singapore, I used "Caerulean". Both names are also found in digital media across many websites, social media and online references and apps.


Caerulean is spelt with the extra 'e' in Corbet and Pendlebury's Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula 4th Edition (1992)

Recommendation : The Jamides species' common names can be referred to as Cerulean or Caerulean as both spellings are deemed acceptable, and it depends on how individuals prefer to use it.



In Pisuth's Butterflies of Thailand 2nd Edition, he coined the name Green-scaled Acacia Blue for the species Surendra vivarna amisena. In Dr Kirton's book, he calls it the Burmese Acacia Blue. Local references in Singapore refer to this species as just the Acacia Blue.


Corbet and Pendlebury's Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula 4th Edition (1992) refers to Surendra vivarna amisena as Acacia Blue

It is obvious that in the region, there are other species of the genus Surendra, hence prompting authors to coin names for the different species to differentiate them. Corbet and Pendlebury refers to Surendra vivarna amisena as "Acacia Blue". In Singapore, there is only a single species of the genus, and hence there is unlikely to be any confusion to refer to Surendra vivarna amisena as Acacia Blue.

Recommendation : Surendra vivarna amisena should retain its common name as just Acacia Blue.

The next species of interest is Iraota rochana boswelliana. Most references in the region use the common name "Scarce Silverstreak Blue" for this species. The Singapore references dropped the "Blue" in the name, and through common usage, it has often been referred to as only Scarce Silverstreak.

The other species found in Singapore (and only 1 sighting has been confirmed in the past 20 years), is Iraota distanti distanti. This species, which was referred to as the Spotted Silverstreak, also omitted the "Blue" from its name. In Thailand, this species is referred to as the Malayan Silverstreak Blue.

Recommendation : The species Iraota rochana boswelliana should be named Scarce Silverstreak Blue. However, for convenience and common usage, the "Blue" is likely to be left out. Again, time will tell which is the preferred name that will be more often used by the general community.

The next species, Catapaecilma major emas is referred to as the Greater Tinsel by Dr Kirton. A related species, C. elegans was given the name Lesser Tinsel in the same book. Elsewhere in the region, reference books refer to C. major as Gray Tinsel and C. elegans as Common Tinsel in Butterflies of Thailand.

In his latest book, Isaac Kehimkar's Butterflies of India refers to C. major as Common Tinsel, as C. elegans is probably not found in India. Our local Singapore butterfly references refer to C. major as Gray Tinsel.

Recommendation : It is not likely that the confusion across the region can be resolved in the immediate future. We recommend that the name Gray Tinsel be retained for the species Catapaecilma major emas until such time enough authors come together to have a common stand on the name of this species.

The final species of interest in this series of discussions on Lycaenidae is Horaga syrinx maenala. Dr Kirton calls it the Yellow Onyx. Several Indian references call it by the same name. (However, the species is rare in India, and many hardcopy references do not feature this species). Pisuth refers to it as Ambon Onyx in Butterflies of Thailand.

We have adopted the name Ambon Onyx for this species in Singapore references and the name has been regularly used in cyberspace. An online article from Bhutan, as recently as last week, calls this species the Ambon Onyx as well.

Again, it does not appear that there is any common consensus on the English common name of this butterfly, and hence the jury is still out on the matter. However, through common usage, time will tell which of the two common names will be preferred by amateur enthusiasts.

Recommendation : The name Ambon Onyx will be retained for the species Horaga syrinx maenala.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Bob Cheong, Sunny Chir, Chng CK, Huang CJ, Khew SK, Loke PF and Jonathan Soong

Earlier articles in this series :
Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies Part 1
Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies Part 2
Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies Part 3
Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies Part 4
Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies Part 5

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks - Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks
Featuring : Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

In our earlier article on butterfly photography at our local parks, we featured the Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. Originally known as the Kallang Reservoir, the it was formed by impounding across the lower reaches of the Kallang River in 1910. In 1922, it was renamed Peirce Reservoir in commendation of the services of Robert Peirce, who was a Singapore Public Works Department engineer from 1901 to 1916. In 1975, a dam was built across the upper reaches of the Peirce Reservoir, splitting it into Upper and Lower Peirce Reservoirs thereafter.

A view of the 350m dam separating the Upper Peirce Reservoir (on the right) and the Lower Peirce Reservoir (on the left).  A 30m elevation separates the two reservoirs.

A view looking down at the Lower Peirce Reservoir from the dam 

A view of the Upper Peirce Reservoir with lush vegetation of the nature reserves along the reservoir banks

In this weekend's blog article, we visit the Upper Peirce Reservoir Park. In 1970, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) conducted feasibility studies for the construction of a new reservoir in the vicinity of Peirce Reservoir. The site was found to be suitable and construction started in May 1972. The works included the building of a 30-metre-high, 350-metre-long earth dam upstream of the existing dam, hence creating a new reservoir upstream of the existing one. This new reservoir was named Upper Peirce Reservoir, while the older reservoir was accordingly renamed Lower Peirce Reservoir.



A commemorative marker indicating that the reservoir was opened by Singapore's founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1977

The Upper Peirce Reservoir was completed in 1975 and officially opened by then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 27 February 1977. Today, Singapore has a total of 17 reservoirs spread across the island. The Upper Peirce Reservoir covers a surface area of 304 Ha and has a capacity of about 27.8 million cubic metres of water.

The Upper Peirce Reservoir Park is a serene and tranquil park located to the eastern banks of the Upper Peirce Reservoir (UPR). This reservoir, together with the MacRitchie Reservoir, the Lower Peirce Reservoir and the Upper Seletar Reservoir, bound the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). The nature reserve acts as a water catchment for the reservoirs in the area and is considered a protected catchment.






The Upper Peirce Reservoir Park covers an area of about 5 Ha. Access to UPR is via Old Upper Thomson Road, via a gated access. The gate is open from 6:00am to 7:30pm daily. The scenic road is undulating (a challenge for cyclists and pedestrians, but excellent for an exercise workout) flanked on both sides by lush vegetation and tall trees. Do keep a lookout for various troops of the Long-Tailed Macaques who are used to visitors feeding them. Some of them may be a bit more 'friendly' than preferred as they often associate humans with food.






There is a carpark at the end of the road, with toilet and other basic park amenities like shelters, seats, rest areas and even water coolers. The 350m long earth dam ends in a golf course at the other side from UPR. The view of the serene waters of the Upper Peirce Reservoir (at the higher elevation) and the Lower Peirce Reservoir, some 30m below the earth dam is picturesque and beautiful.






The vegetation at UPR is largely native plants that are typical of the flora of the Central Catchment Nature Reserves. Some years ago, when the landscaping of the park for visitors was first started, the Javanese Ixora shrubs attracted a good variety of butterflies. However, these plants are now over their prime and what remains hardly attract any butterflies any more. It is hoped that the NParks will continue to cultivate more butterfly-attracting plants in this area so that visitors can enjoy the diversity of species that are present in the CCNR.



Walking around the open park areas, one can expect to see common butterfly species like the Chocolate Pansy, Common Mormon, Common Four Ring and several species of the Grass Yellows. Occasionally, a few Cruisers, Barons and various Hesperiidae can be seen on hot sunny days.



Exploring along the side road leading to the service reservoir and treatment plant where water from UPR is treated and stored, a visitor may be treated to some rarer species that live in the forests of CCNR. As there are not many flowering plants in the area, it is usually more challenging to photograph butterflies, but keep a sharp eye out for those that visit the flowers of the Bandicoot Berry flowers and other native flowering shrubs in the area.



There is an open area along this service road that has flowering shrubs like the Mile-A-Minute weed that may sometimes attract various species of butterflies in the early morning hours. Keep an eye out for ovipositing Malay Viscounts, Malay Barons and the odd OakBlue (Arhopala spp). that visit their caterpillar host plants in the area.




A walk down the service road to the water tanks and Treatment Plant can sometimes be fruitful with some interesting encounters

Walking further in towards the fenced Service Reservoir, one can sometimes encounter species like the Common Bluebottle, Lesser Jay and Five Bar Swordtail puddling in the damp areas in the drains. The proximity of the CCNR may turn out surprises once in a while and over the years of surveys and outings in UPR, there have been encounters with very rare species before.





Butterflies photographed at Upper Peirce Reservoir Park

Some examples of the rarities spotted at UPR include the Black and White Flat (Gerosis limax dirae), the Spotted Silverstreak (Iraota distanti distanti), the Golden Royal (Pseudotajuria donatana donatana), the Hoary Palmer (Unkana ambasa batara), Dark Banded Ace (Halpe ormenes vilasina), Green Imperial (Manto hypoleuca terana), the Great Imperial (Jacoona anasuja anasuja), The Grand Imperial (Neocheritra amrita amrita) and Banded Royal (Rachana jalindra burbona). So keep your eyes peeled and hope that you get lucky!





Upper Peirce Reservoir Park cannot be described as a 'butterfly haven', but its adjacency to the Central Catchment Nature Reserves may sometimes turn up something surprising and rare. A typical walk on an ordinary day may not yield anything more than some common species, so if that happens, just enjoy being out there in nature and the splendid views of the reservoirs and the lush greenery that surrounds you!



How to Get There :
By Bus:
Bus nos. 163, 167, 169, 855, 980.
Alight at the bus stop nearest to the Casuarina Curry Prata shop and walk along Old Upper Thomson Road towards Upper Peirce Reservoir Park. Be prepared for a long walk in and out!  Estimated walk in one direction is about 30-45 mins.

By Car : Follow the direction of Upper Thomson Road. Turn left before the traffic lights at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 into Old Upper Thomson Road. Follow the road until you see the entrance of Upper Peirce Reservoir Park. Parking facilities are available at the end of road near the toilet (Free parking). 

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Khew SK, Loh MY and Mark Wong