Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies 4

Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies
Part 4 : An Analysis of Name Changes

In Part 4 of our continuing discussion, analysis and recommendations of the butterflies' English Common Names, we complete the remaining species in the family Nymphalidae whose names have been amended by Dr Kirton. To reiterate our scope and biogeographic extent of the butterfly species, we had, established in our earlier discussions, the zoogeographical subregion of the Indo-Malayan ecozone, known as the Sundanian Subregion (or often called Sundaland) is the area of interest where species of butterflies have been assigned common names by various authors.




For the benefit of our readers who are viewing Part 4 of this discussion series, we would like to explain that a number of proposed changes were made by Dr Laurence Kirton in his recent book, A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. We analyse these changes and state our agreements or alternative views, and recommendations for future publications to consider.



Singapore species - Chocolate Sailor (Neptis harita harita)

We will now discuss the group of butterflies that come under the two genera Neptis and Phaedyma. If we refer to the earliest reference literature, The Identification of Indian Butterflies by Col W.H. Evans 1927, we note that the butterflies under these two genera comes under the collective generic name of "Sailers". Of interest to the Singapore butterfly fauna, are four species that fall under scrutiny.



Singapore species - Common Sailor (Neptis hylas papaja)

There has been quite a bit of debate as to the collective English common name of the Neptis and Phaedyma species. Certain countries refer to them as "Sailers", whilst others refer to them as "Sailors". In researching the basis of both names, I have come across arguments which support one or the other. It is interesting to note that the first option - Sailer was purportedly coined to describe the manner in which the butterfly flies i.e. it "sails".


A mating pair of Short Banded Sailors (Phaedyma columella singa)

This descriptor probably had some reference to the common names of some butterflies called "Gliders" also referring to the way the butterfly flies. In particular, searching for the name Neptis sappho would generally refer to a common name of Common Glider or Pallas Sailer. The name "Sailer" appears to be the preferred English common name used for the genera Neptis and Phaedyma in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong.



The other English common name "Sailor" which refers to a seaman or mariner, is also often used as the collective common name for the Neptis and Phaedyma butterfly species. The reference to the name "sailor" could have originated from a number of sources. One origin could be the black-and-white striped wing patterns of the butterflies that are reminiscent of the colour of a navy sailor's uniform, which is white, with the navy blue collar detail.



The other possibility is related to the common English names that have their origins in military titles and ranks. In my earlier article on this blog, I made some postulations as to the origins of the butterflies' common names and their connections to British military titles and also gentry. Besides the land-based military titles, there are naval titles and naval ranks. After all, we have Admiral, Yeoman, Commodore and Commander - all of which are naval titles (mainly of the Royal Navy). So why not "sailors"?


A page from the book - Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa by Ivor Migdoll, Struik Publishers, Capetown, 1987 featuring Neptis saclava or the Small Spotted Sailor


A page from the book Common Butterflies of Vietnam by Alexander Monastyrskii and AlexeyDevyatkin, Labour and Social Affairs Publishing House, 2002.

The name "sailor" is the preferred English common name used by authors for Neptis and Phaedyma in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore, South Africa and China. In tracing the earliest reference book that uses the common name "sailor" for the Southeast Asian region, we have the "Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula" by Corbet and Pendlebury 1st Edition (1934). Hence there is undeniable evidence that even in the early 1930's or earlier, the British authors in Malaya who were writing their book were already using "Sailor" for these butterflies.


A page from Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula, 1st Edition by A S Corbet and H M Pendlebury, Kyle, Palmer and Co, 1934.

In his latest book, A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Dr Kirton reverted to "Sailer" to describe the Neptis and Phaedyma species. Of all the authors of the references below which include Pisuth, Steven Neo, Yong Hoi-Sen, Ohtsuka, Morrell, Corbet and Pendlebury, Igarashi and Fukuda and many others covering the Southeast Asian region, the name "Sailor" is preferred.  Given that there are more books covering the Southeast Asian region using "Sailor" rather than "Sailer", we recommend to retain this common name for the Neptis and Phaedyma butterflies.

Recommendation : All the species of butterflies in the genera Neptis and Phaedyma to retain their collective English common name of "Sailors".


A page from Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula, 1st Edition by A S Corbet and H M Pendlebury, Kyle, Palmer and Co, 1934.

Amongst the Sailors in Singapore, there is one species, which warrants a change of name, if we take reference to the name given by the early publication for Southeast Asia, Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula by Corbet and Pendlebury, 1st Edition 1934. In the book, the species known then as Neptis nata cresina was given the common name Burmese Sailor.



Burmese Sailor (Neptis leucoporos cresina)

The scientific name of this species was later renamed to Neptis leucoporos cresina. It was, however called the Grey Sailor in Singapore. The recommendation should therefore be to refer to this species as Burmese Sailor as was the intention by the early authors who named Malayan butterflies back in 1934.

Recommendation : Neptis leucoporos cresina should be renamed Burmese Sailor.



Malay Baron (Euthalia monina monina)

The next butterfly name that was changed in Dr Kirton's book, is the Malay Baron. It was amended to Malayan Baron. The rationale cited for the change was "where the original name refers to a people group". In Part 3 of this series, we discussed the rationale for retaining "Malay" in the original common names of butterflies, instead of changing to "Malayan". Hence we recommend that the species Euthalia monina monina should retain its name Malay Baron, which is used in the majority of literature, papers and publications in the region.

Recommendation : Euthalia monina monina should retain its name Malay Baron.



Malay Viscount (Tanaecia pelea pelea)

The other related species that bears a similar background for a name change is the Malay Viscount. Hence by the same token mentioned above, the species Tanaecia pelea pelea should retain its well-known and widely-used name of Malay Viscount, instead of being changed to Malayan Viscount. Here, it should be clarified also that there are several other butterfly species bearing the name "Malayan". However in the case of the Malay Viscount, this is the name that it was referred to as early as the 1930's and we do not see a strong reason why it should be changed.

Recommendation : Tanaecia pelea pelea should retain its name Malay Viscount.



The next species of interest comes from the genus Lexias. Usually referred to as "Archdukes", these are medium-sized butterflies with robust bodies and are swift fliers. Dr Kirton amended the name of the species Lexias dirtea merguia from Black Tipped Archduke to Dark Archduke. In researching the rationale for this name change, we discovered an original name in Evans' book, Identification of Indian Butterflies, W.A. Evans, Diocesan Press, India, 1927, Dark Archduke, given to the species Adolias khasiana khasiana. The diagnostic description of the species corresponds with Lexias dirtea merguia (Black Archduke), and in particular where the description states that the "antennae black above".




In the same book, the name Archduke was given to the species with "antennae prominently yellow-tipped above" and described as Adolias dirtea jadeitina.  The two species were subsequently renamed from Adolias khasiana khasiana to Lexias dirtea merguia and Adolias dirtea jadeitina to Lexias pardalis dirteana.  The name Archduke will be retained for Lexias pardalis dirteana (previously Adolias dirtea jadetina) and the name Dark Archduke kept for Lexias dirtea merguia (previously Adolias khasiana khasiana).

Recommendation : Lexias dirtea merguia should revert to its original name of Dark Archduke.



The genus Eulaceura features only a single species in Malaysia and Singapore - Eulaceura osteria kumana. In Evans' book, the species is called the Elegant Emperor. This species was, however, called the Purple Duke in Singapore. Through regular usage, the Purple Duke name stuck. To be consistent with our policy of establishing the common name of the species based on the earliest valid publications for the Southeast Asian region, or, if unavailable, the reference to Evans' book, this species should henceforth revert to its original name of Elegant Emperor.



Eulaceura osteria kumana should now be called Elegant Emperor

It is also noted that Butterflies of Thailand, 2nd Edition by Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, also followed Evans' name for this species and called it Elegant Emperor. Further search did not turn up any other publications at this point in time that named this species as Purple Duke, except for Singapore-based publications and websites. It may take some time before the name is reinstated due to usage, but it would be appropriate to now call this species as Elegant Emperor.

Recommendation : Eulaceura osteria kumana should revert to its original English common name, Elegant Emperor.


Rounded Maplet (Chersonesia peraka peraka)

The next species in the series of renamed butterflies is the sole representative of the sub-family Cyrestinae in Singapore.  This species is Chersonesia peraka peraka. This species was given the name Little Maplet in Singapore references. Dr Kirton amended its common name to Rounded Maplet in his 2014 book. Upon checking with Evans, this name was in use since 1927. Butterflies of Thailand 2nd Edition also called this species Rounded Maplet.




Given that the English common name was originally known as Rounded Maplet, it would be appropriate to adopt this name henceforth to remain consistent with the relevant references in the region.

Recommendation : Chersonesia peraka peraka should revert to its original English common name, Rounded Maplet.



The final species of concern in the family Nymphalidae is one from the genus referred to collectively as Pansies. This species, Junonia hedonia ida, was not known from Evans time, as the species was absent from the Indian subcontinent. The closely related species, Junonia iphita, was given the common name Chocolate Soldier. There are some publications in the region which refers to Junonia iphita as Chocolate Pansy. However, since the earliest known coinage of the name for this species was Chocolate Soldier, that name should rightfully remain as such.



Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ida)

Hence the next most appropriate name for Junonia hedonia ida should be Chocolate Pansy. Dr Kirton amended the name of this species to Spotted Chocolate Soldier. Pisuth, in Butterflies of Thailand 2nd Edition, incorrectly named Junonia iphita as Chocolate Pansy. Perhaps it is because Junonia hedonia is unknown in Thailand. As Evans had precedence, then Junonia iphita should retain its name as Chocolate Soldier.  Hence Junonia hedonia should take the name Chocolate Pansy.

Recommendation : Junonia hedonia ida should retain its common name Chocolate Pansy.

This ends the common name changes in Dr Kirton's book for Nymphalidae. In the next article in the series, we will investigate the families Riodinidae and Lycaenidae.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Goh EC, Khew SK, Loke PF, Nelson Ong, Horace Tan, Anthony Wong and Mark Wong

References :

[BPMST] A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of P. Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand, Laurence G Kirton : John Beaufoy Publishing 2014
[C&P1] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 1st Edition, Kyle & Palmer, 1934.
[C&P4] The Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Revised by Col John Eliot, Malaysian Nature Society, 1992
[BOT1] Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 1st Edition, Amarin Printing & Publishing, 2006
[BOT2] Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 1st Edition, Amarin Printing & Publishing, 2012
[CMB] Common Malayan Butterflies, R. Morrell, Longmans Malaysia, 1960
[MBAI] Malaysian Butterflies - An Introduction, Yong Hoi-Sen, Tropical Press, Malaysia, 1983
[BOS] Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew SK, Ink On Paper Publishing, Singapore, 2010
[BBSEA] Butterflies of Borneo & South East Asia, Kazuhisa Otsuka, Hornbill Books, Malaysia, 2001
[IIB] Identification of Indian Butterflies, W.A. Evans, Diocesan Press, India, 1927
[GCBOS] Guide to the Common Butterflies of Singapore, Steven Neo, Science Centre Singapore, 1996
[BSA] Butterflies of Southern Africa, Ivor Migdoll, Struik Publishers, Capetown, 1987
[BOV] Common Butterflies of Vietnam, Alexander Monastyrskii and AlexeyDevyatkin, Labour and Social Affairs Publishing House, 2002

Further Reading :

A Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies : Part 1
A Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies : Part 2
A Revision to the Common Names of Butterflies : Part 3

Upside Down Butterflies

Upside Down Butterflies
Peculiar habits of some Butterfly Species


A Common Yeoman perches upside down with its wings folded upright

Most regular butterfly watchers will know that the flying speed and style of flying vary amongst the species of butterflies found in Singapore (and elsewhere for that matter). After a time of watching them, a butterfly watcher should be able to tell the difference between the fast-flying Papilionidae like a Tailed Jay or a Banded Swallowtail, always flying as though the devil were at their heels; and the slow, unhurried graceful flight of a Common Tree Nymph.

A Little Maplet peeks from its upside down perch

Besides having their preferred habitats, many butterfly species have unique behavioral adaptations that are interesting and help to narrow down the identification of several species, simply from the way they behave in the field. One such interesting behaviour amongst butterflies, is the peculiar habit of flying and then settling on the underside of a leaf, hanging upside down like a bat.

Anderson's Grass Yellow perches upside down on a grass blade

It is not fully understood why some butterflies do this. Perhaps to hide from a predator? Or is it for some other reason? Not much research has been made to establish why some butterflies rest upside down on the underside of its leaf perch. In most cases, the butterfly just rests on the underside of a leaf and stays there, doing absolutely nothing. There is usually no food source nor is the butterfly engaging in any specific activity. There are some species that oviposit on the underside of a leaf, but here, we are discussing those species that do nothing else except perch on the underside of a leaf.

A male Purple Duke perches upside down.  This species is most often encountered in the nature reserves displaying this under-leaf habit

The "king" of the upside down butterflies should be the Purple Duke (Eulaceura osteria kumana) also known as the Elegant Emperor in some countries. This species is regularly seen displaying the under-leaf habit. When disturbed by any movement, the Purple Duke darts out, flies rapidly and then suddenly stops on the underside of a leaf to perch with its wings folded upright. It will repeat this behaviour again and again.

Purple Duke males (Top and Middle) and female (Bottom) showing their usual upside down perching behaviour

This unique upside down behaviour occurs in both males and females of the Purple Duke. Occasionally, it perches on the top of a leaf and opens its wings flat to sunbathe. But getting a good shot of an open winged Purple Duke is quite challenging, as it usually sunbathes in the early hours of the morning before the sun warms up the environment.

The Papilionidae usually perch on the tops of leaves when they need to rest after flying, like this female Great Helen is doing.  Sightings of them perching under a leaf are extremely rare, if ever!

Going through the families of butterflies, we start at the Papilionidae. I have not come across any species of the Swallowtails and Birdwings in Singapore that displays the perching under-leaf behaviour. Perhaps due to their large size, it would be physically difficult for a Papilionidae to hold on comfortably to the underside of a leaf. The Crows and Tigers of the subfamily Danainae also do not display this behaviour at all.

Different species of the Eurema are often encountered perching in an upside down position on the underside of a leaf

Surprisingly, there are some species of the Pieridae, particularly the Eurema spp. or Grass Yellows, displaying this habit. Although it is not a frequent habit amongst these species, they have quite often been seen to rest on the underside of a leaf with their wings folded upright. This is more often observed when there is a whole group of puddling Grass Yellow butterflies and some will fly off to nearby bushes to rest upside down after feeding.

A Common Grass Yellow clings upside down on the underside of a leaf

However, they are skittish and alert and will fly off elsewhere if disturbed. Unlike the Purple Duke, they may not fly to another upside down perch. Amongst the other Pieridae, I have observed some species of the Catopsilia often referred to as the Emigrants, hiding on the underside of a leaf. However, such sightings are not common.

Although not often seen displaying the under-leaf behaviour, the Jacintha Eggfly (Top) and the Autumn Leaf (Bottom) are sometimes seen hiding upside down on the underside of a leaf

Moving on to the family Nymphalidae, I have not had the chance of observing any of this upside down behaviour amongst the subfamilies Danainae, Satyrinae, Charaxinae Biblidinae and Limenitidinae. Amongst some species of the Nymphalinae, I have come across this under-leaf behaviour in the Autumn Leaf, Malayan Eggfly, Great Eggfly and Jacintha Eggfly. However, the occurrence of such upside down habit is rare and in some cases, the butterfly that I observed was ovipositing or feeding on some sap on the underside of the leaf.

The Cirrochroa species found in Singapore - Malay Yeoman, Banded Yeoman and Common Yeoman are seen to display this upside down perching behaviour at times.  In this photo, a Banded Yeoman clings onto the underside of a leaf with its wings folded upright.

The subfamily that features several species that has the habit of resting on the underside of a leaf is Heliconiinae. In Singapore, all three species of the Cirrochroa spp. usually referred to as the Yeoman butterflies, are often observed to hide on the underside of a leaf with their wings folded upright to rest. Although this behaviour does not happen quite as often as in the Purple Duke, there are more frequent sightings of the Yeoman butterflies displaying this upside down habit. In some observations, the butterfly clung on to the underside of a leaf, but kept opening and closing its wings for a period of time.

The Royal Assyrian is another species that is often encountered perched upside down on the underside of a leaf with its wings folded upright.

Another species in the Heliconiinae family that can be said to often display this under-leaf habit, is the Royal Assyrian (Terinos terpander robertsia). This species is the only representative of the genus in Singapore, but again, it has often been photographed whilst perched on the underside of a leaf with its wings folded upright. In some encounters, the butterfly was in full view although perched on the underside of a leaf, giving reason to wonder if it was doing so to avoid being seen, or for some other reason yet to be discovered.

The Little Maplet has a habit of perching upside down on the underside of a leaf with its wings opened flat.  It flaps its wings slowly and is alert to any intrusion to its hiding place

In the last subfamily of the Nymphalidae, is the sole representative of Cyrestinae in Singapore - the Little Maplet (Chersonesia peraka peraka). This small butterfly is very skittish and has the habit of stopping on the underside of a leaf with its wings opened flat. It then flaps its wings slowly open and close whilst perched in the upside down position. When disturbed, it repeats this behaviour and moves from leaf to leaf, often testing the photographer's patience to the limit!

So, if anyone out there has done specific research on why some butterfly species displays this behaviour of perching upside down like a bat, on the underside of a leaf, please share your views in the comments section below. Or if anyone has other photos of other species displaying this under-leaf behaviour, kindly also share your observations.  The next part of this article will feature species from the Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae species that also display this upside down habit.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Chng CK, Federick Ho, Khew SK, Jonathan Soong, Horace Tan and Anthony Wong