Butterflies of Singapore

ButterflyCircle's Chiangmai Expedition 2015
Thailand - A Haven for Butterflies : Part 2

Continuing our story about ButterflyCircle's Chiangmai Expedition 2015...

Day 6

When you need to get that "perfect" shot, you need to endure contortionist poses as demonstrated by our lady ButterflyCircle member here

After our usual set breakfast at the Dome, we decided to head out to a small area near the Mae Jo University where we had quite a fruitful time shooting some rarities last March. This area had a stormwater pond surrounded by lush vegetation. Unfortunately, the area around the water bodies had been trimmed and the butterfly attracting plants were gone. There were the usual Arhopalas and some common butterflies around, but nothing that would match the excitement that our group had the past 3 days in Chiang Dao.

Disappointed, we decided to head back to Doi Suthep to see if we could spot some of the uncommon butterflies that were posted by a couple of our Thai friends on FaceBook. Our first stop back at the picnicking spot yielded a much poorer catch than our first day. Most of the species were nowhere to be found by the time we reached the favourite puddling spot around 11am in the morning. After entertaining a small bunch of Archdukes and some common Lycaenids, we hopped back into Antonio's car and headed up to the waterfall area.

Top : Grey Commodore (Bhagadatta austenia austenia)
Middle : Grey Count (Tanaecia lepidea cognata)
Bottom : Nonsuch Palmer (Creteus cyrina cyrina)

There appeared to be some activity, but no sign of the pristine Grand Duchess that was seen the day before. Even so, we encountered a couple of rare skippers and managed to shoot them as they were more cooperative puddling on the sand banks. Some luckier members of our group managed to shoot a Grey Commodore (Bhagadatta austenia austenia) whilst some Lethe spp kept the others busy.

Dinner at Maya Mall, and our three Amigos - one from Singapore, one from Malaysia and one from Thailand, posing with Pisuth's and Kirton's books at the bookstore

It was a rather disappointing outing for butterflies, both at Mae Jo and at Doi Suthep, so we decided to call it a day at around 3:30pm and drove back to Chiang Mai. Dinner was at the upmarket Maya Mall, a short walking distance from the Dome Hotel. The mall featured facilities that would match any Singapore regional malls, with branded goods and modern facilities. The next day would be the last full-day outing for the main group, and our destination would be the tallest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon.

Day 7

The butterfly-hunting dozen, with Inayoshi-san and Les Day joining in the fun at Doi Inthanon

Up and about early on a Friday morning, the group looked forward in anticipation as we headed out to the tallest peak in Thailand. We were expecting at least an hour and a half drive to the area. This time around, we had Les and our Japanese butterfly expert, Inayoshi Yutaka with us. Cramming into the large 4x4 SUVs wasn't much of a problem and the 12 of us hoped to see the elusive Blue Oakleaf, which was supposed to be in season.

The trip up was rather uneventful, as we took in the sights along the winding road uphill. The parched and dry grassy landscape morphed into nice lush greenery as Antonio's GPS showed us breaching the 1,000m altitude level and up the mountain road. The environment cooled somewhat and we thanked our lucky stars for the clear blue skies above.

View of Siribhume Waterfall

Our first stop was the Siribhume Royal Garden. The nicely maintained gardens was impressive, and the group searched for butterflies amongst the lush greenery. We stopped at the Siribhume Waterfall and enjoyed the serene atmosphere in the cool morning air.

Top : Green Commodore (Sumalia daraxa daraxa)
Middle : Hairy Angle (Darpa hanria)
Bottom : Black Forester (Lethe vindhya vindhya)

There were some butterflies that kept the group busy. Of particular mention were the Green Commodore, Black Forester, Hairy Angle, and an uncooperative Brown Gorgon that refused to stop for us.

The attractive French Duke (Euthalia franciae raja)

We headed up to another location and parked our cars along the road verge to search for the Blue Oakleaf, but alas, it was nowhere to be found. Maybe next time. However, there were quite a few other attractive species that kept us busy. We also found a small number of the pretty French Duke, which obliged us by posing to show off its upperside and underside of its wings.

The Variable Sailor - a subspecies named after our Japanese expert, Yutaka Inayoshi

Of special mention was the Variable Sailor (Neptis zaida inayoshii), of which the subspecies found here at Doi Inthanon had the distinction of being named after our Japanese friend, Yutaka Inayoshi. Although skittish, the Variable Sailor appeared to be relatively common and we saw quite a number of individuals puddling along the pathways.

After having our fill of shooting the different species along the road (which was a bit hazardous because of the heavy traffic), we moved to our third location of the day. This time, we headed for another waterfall called Huay Saai Leung Falls. We saw more Variable Sailors here, some Jezebels, and many other species, but it was not easy to shoot them.

The Grand Duchess (Euthalia patala taooana), a Yellow Jezebel (Delias agostina agostina) and ButterflyCircle members queueing up patiently to get a shot of this attractive butterfly

The catch of the day at this location must be the Grand Duchess (Euthalia patala taooana) which was on Antonio's hit list. A cooperative female was puddling and all of us got our fill of shots of this usually skittish species. There were a few other individuals of this species in the area, but they were not too keen on getting photographed.

Buying strawberries and other local produce at a roadside row of stalls

Our day ended some time past 3:30 pm and we made our way downhill back towards Chiangmai. Along the way, we stopped at a fruit market to buy some of the local produce like fresh strawberries, nuts and other munchies.

We decided to have some local Thai cuisine in the evening, although our favourite seafood joint was closed. After cruising around the town, we stumbled on a restaurant that specialised in fish dishes. We had our fill of local gastronomic delights, washed down with Chang beer. The bill for the 10 of us came up to something like S$60 (with two towers of beer thrown in!). It's no wonder that many retirees from all over the world made Chiangmai their home to stretch their retirement dollar to the max!

Day 8

This was the final day of our trip, and our flight was scheduled at 5:30pm in the evening. Not willing to waste the morning, we had a quick breakfast and made a quick foray up to Doi Suthep for one last fling with the Thai butterflies. In light traffic, the journey from our hotel to Doi Suthep can be done in less than half an hour.

We reached the picnic ground next to the stream just after 8:30am, and waited for some action. It was still early and we saw a few of the 'resident' species in the cool morning air. The family of Archdukes, Knights and Barons were already active. A single Stately Nawab (Polyura dolon grandis) puddled cooperatively and posed for us to shoot it.

Top : White Punch (Dodona deodata deodata)
Middle : Tufted Jungle King (Thauria aliris intermedia)
Bottom shots : Four Bar Swordtail (Graphium agetes agetes)

Butterfly activity was much better today than it was, when we were at the same location two days ago. This time around, a Tufted Jungle King (Thauria aliris), a White Punch (Dodona deodata), a Shan Nawab (Polyura nepenthes), a Fourbar Swordtail (Graphium agetes) and a few Skippers turned up to visit the puddling grounds.

The Green Flash (Artipe eryx eryx)

We were pleasantly surprised by two Green Flashes (Artipe eryx) that appeared all of a sudden, and at least stopped long enough for us to take some record shots of them. This species is unique in that it features green undersides, and can camouflage itself very well amongst green foliage. So, on this last day of our expedition, we were rewarded with this elusive species!

A final group shot of the Singapore gang and Les Day at Doi Suthep

Just past noon, our group called it a day and drove back to Dome hotel to check out, grab a quick bite and head to the airport. The other group, led by Antonio, who were extending their stay in Chiangmai, went up to the mid-level waterfall to look for the Grey Commodore that was spotted the day before. After settling our hotel bills and checking out, we had a quick lunch and Antonio was kind enough to cut short his butterfly outing today and returned to the hotel to give us a warm send-off.

Bags all packed and ready to go home!

It was a fruitful trip for most of us, experiencing the high diversity and numbers of butterflies in Chiangmai province, and we were quite convinced that we will be back here again soon! Special thanks to Antonio, LC and Chng who did most of the driving, and to Antonio for making all the arrangements for accommodation, food and selecting the locations for us to visit.

Our gentle giant Italian tour guide par excellence, Antonio Giudici

For those of you butterfly enthusiasts who would like to make a trip to Chiangmai to enjoy its amazing butterfly diversity, please contact Antonio Giudici, our friendly Italian giant tour guide, via his website at www.antoniogiudici.com for his butterfly tours. You can be assured of very exciting and fruitful outings with Antonio, as we have experienced the past week, and he is an accomplished butterfly photographer himself!

Log on to Antonio's website to arrange for Butterfly Tours in Thailand

So, adios Chiangmai, and we will be back soon!

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Chng CK, Antonio Giudici, Goh LC, Federick Ho, Huang CJ, Khew SK, Loke PF and Simon Sng

Butterfly of the Month - April 2015

The Black Veined Tiger (Danaus melanippus hegesippus)

After ButterflyCircle's Chiangmai expedition last month, where most of us had an 'overdose' of Thailand's flying jewels for 7 days, Singapore's lack of both diversity and quantity became a bit of an anti-climax. It is quite amazing when the environment is vast and generally unexploited, biodiversity can thrive. On our little island in sun, where we have recorded over 315 species (and counting), it is quite difficult to imagine a puddling spot literally filled with hundreds of butterflies like what we saw in Thailand.

Singapore, despite heavy deforestation due to decades of physical development, still has a lot going for it, as far as our natural biodiversity is concerned. Although we may have had a lot more species in the recent past, it could have been in an even worse state if not for timely intervention by conservationists working with the government authorities.

The pessimists contend that we could have done more to save our biodiversity, but what's the use of just complaining? Strive and work towards conserving what we have, in a positive way. This is Singapore. 715 sq km of it. Hundreds of competing uses for the limited land. What can we do to help biodiversity co-exist with development or mitigate human-animal interaction through education?

Our planning authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, struggles with the longer-term concerns of Singapore's dwindling land reserves as the 'burn-out' rate continues. Precious land is allocated for myriad uses from housing to roads to social infrastructure. Despite the intense development, if we look around us, Singapore is amazingly a city in a garden. Lush greenery. Clean air (most of time, unless our neighbours decide to raze their forests). But there's always room for improvement.

Nature is surprisingly resilient. Perhaps not every species or organism is equally tenacious in surviving on a densely developed island like Singapore. But someone once said, "if we humans have the will, nature will find a way". To survive that is. Where we have done good research, we apply this knowledge and make educated and calculated efforts to conserve what we have. What we don't know enough of, is something that we need to learn more about.

This month, the first custom-designed natural history museum in Southeast Asia will be opened to the public. The spanking new Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, with an exhibition area of 2,000 sqm, hopes to educate our resident population on our natural heritage, and why it is important to conserve the remaining biodiversity that shares our island with us. Research and education will be important aspects of the museum.

Our feature butterfly of the month is the Black Veined Tiger (Danaus melanippus hegesippus). This medium sized butterfly is a moderately common species in Singapore. It is often observed singly, flying in the company of its related cousins, the Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus) and the Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia).

The Black Veined Tiger is has broad black apical borders with white spots and the discal area a strong orange. The ground colour of the hindwing is entirely white without any orange tinge along the blackened veins. There are two rows of submarginal spots on both the fore and hindwings.

The Black Veined Tiger resembles the Common Tiger and is sometimes confused with its closely related cousin. Both are about the same size and usually fly in the same localities, feeding on the same flowering plants. The primary distinguishing characteristic is the much broader submarginal black border on the hindwing. The hindwings are almost entirely white compared to form-intermedius of the Common Tiger, which also has white hindwings but with strong orange tint along the blackened veins.

Males of the Black Veined Tiger has a sex brand at vein 2 along the post discal area of the hindwing. Males appear to be the commoner sex of this species. The Black Veined Tiger has a slow unhurried flight, gliding from flower to flower as it feeds. However, when disturbed, it can take off quite capably with a powerful flight.

The butterfly is partial to the pea pods and flowers of the Rattlebox Pea (Crotalaria retusa). An interesting behaviour that the Black Veined Tiger exhibits, is that it uses it "claws" of its legs to scratch the surface of the pea pods and flowers and then feed on the fluid from the "wounded" surface of the pods or flowers.

The caterpillar host plant of the Black Veined Tiger is believed to be the lactiferious vine, Cynanchum ovalifolium. The species is known to be distasteful to predators. In Singapore, the Black Veined Tiger appears to be more common on Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin than on the main island.

Text by Khew SK : Phots by Sunny Chir, Federick Ho, Huang CJ, Khew SK, Nelson Ong, Anthony Wong and Mark Wong.

Life History of the Common Caerulean (Jamides celeno aelianus)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Jamides Hübner , 1819
Species: celeno Cramer, 1775
Sub-species:aelianus Fabricius, 1793
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 28-32mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Pueraria phaseoloides (Fabaceae), Combretum sundaicum (Combretaceae), Vigna_reflexopilosa (Fabaceae).

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:

On the upperside, the male is whitish blue on both wings with a dark forewing border up to 1mm wide at the apex, and the female is whiter and with much broader dark borders on both wings. On the underside, the wings are greyish to ochreous brown and marked with whitish striae. The barb-like marking (a characteristic feature of Jamides spp.) in space 1b on the hindwing is rather distinct. As a member of the celeno sub-group, the post-discal band on the forewing is continuous from vein 3 to 7. Each hindwing features a black-centred orange-crowned tornal spot and a white-tipped filamentous tail at the end of vein 2.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:

This species is common and widely distributed in Singapore. They are typically found at the edges of the nature reserves, wastelands and in some gardens, often visiting flowers for nectar. Males have been observed to puddle on wet grounds.

Early Stages:

Three local host plants have been recorded so far for the Common Caerulean, and records from across the region show that there should be more host plants being utilized locally. Caterpillars of the Common Caeruelan feed on young leaves and inflorescences of the host plant. They are typically found in the company of attending ants.

Local host plant #1: Pueraria phaseoloides.

Local host plant #2: Combretum sundaicum.

Local host plant #3: Vigna reflexopilosa.

A mating pair of the Common Caerulean.

Eggs of the Common Caerulean are laid singly on a young leaf, a leaf bud or a flower bud of the host plant. The small pale green egg is discoid in shape and about 0.7mm in diameter. The surface is covered with a reticulated pattern of intersecting ridges with those on the lateral surface broader and prominent.

A female Common Caerulean attempting to lay an egg on Pueraria phaseoloides .

An egg of the Common Caerulean laid on a flower bud of Pueraria phaseoloides.

Two views of an egg of the Common Caerulean.

Two views of a mature egg of the Common Caerulean.

The egg takes 2-2.5 days to hatch. The young caterpillar emerges after nibbling away sufficiently large portion of the egg shell and eating its way out of the dried gelatinous substance. Measured at a length of about 1mm, its pale yellowish body is cylindrical in shape, sporting long fine setae (hairs) dorso-laterally and laterally. It has a black head capsule.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar, length: 1mm.

The newly hatched feeds on the lamina of a young leaf or a flower bud. As its grows in size, lateral pale brownish bands appears on its body. After about 2-2.5 days of growth and reaching a length of about 2.2mm, the caterpillar moults to the next instar.

A 1st instar caterpillar, later in this stage, length: 1.6mm.

The 2nd instar caterpillar has numerous short setae, each with a dark-colored base. The body ground color is pale yellowish brown, and pale to dark reddish brown bands and markings adorn the body surface. The prothoracic shield has the same coloration as the body base colour and thus indistinct. Meanwhile, the head capsule has changed its colour to yellowish brown. This instar lasts about 2 days with the body length reaches up to 4.5mm.

Two views of an early 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 2mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 3.7mm.

The 3rd instar caterpillar resembles the 2nd instar caterpillar closely in having numerous short and fine setae all over the body, and similar lateral bands/markings. The markings on the dorsum are distinctively whitish at this stage. In some specimens, the lateral bands/markings lose the reddish brown coloration and give the caterpillar a greenish appearance. Both the dorsal nectary organ (on the 7th abdominal segment) and tentacular organs (on the 8th abdominal segment) are now easily observed. The 3rd instar takes 3-3.5 days to complete with the body length reaching about 7.5mm.

Two views of an early 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 4mm.

Two views of another early 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 4mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, later in this stage, length: 6mm.

The 4th (and final) instar caterpillar bears strong resemblance to its former self in the 3rd instar. Again the caterpillar could come in a mostly pale green form or a darker green form with reddish brown markigns. The dorsal nectary organ is now easily observed as a paler elliptical patch on the 7th abdominal segment. The yellowish tentacular organs are short but everted rather frequently.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, length: 11mm.

Two views of another 4th instar caterpillar, length: 7mm.

After about 6-7 days of growth and reaching a maximum length of around 14mm in the final instar, the body of the caterpillar gradually shrinks and decolorises. The caterpillar typically chooses to enter their pre-pupatory phase in tight pockets of space within leaf litter. At the chosen site, the caterpillar readies itself for pupation by spinning a silk girdle and a silk pad. The caterpillar secures itself to the silk pad via claspers at its posterior end.

Two views of a pre-pupa of the Common Caerulean.

Pupation takes place after one day of the pre-pupal stage. The pupa has the typical lycaenid shape. It is pale yellowish brown in base color with a fair number of brown and black specks of various sizes. The pupa has a length of about 9-10mm.

Two views of a pupa of the Common Caerulean, length: 9mm.

Eclosion takes place after 6 days in the pupal stage. The mature pupa gradually darkens in colour the day before. Bluish patches on forewing upperside become clearly visible in the wing pads of the mature pupa.

Two views of a mature pupa of a Common Caerulean.

A newly eclosed female Common Caerulean

A newly eclosed male Common Caerulean.

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2010.

Text by Horace Tan; Photos by Bobby Mun, Nelson Ong, Jonanthan Soong, Wong Chee Meng, Mark Wong, Loke PY, Sunny Chir, Khew SK and Horace Tan

The Julia Heliconian's Samba Continues...
An Alien Invader's Southward Conquest

A mating pair of Julia Heliconians at the Phuket Butterfly Farm, Thailand

Some time back in 2009, ButterflyCircle members encountered a new species, then unrecorded in the Malaysian Butterfly Checklist, on Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia. We were surprised to encounter the Dryas iulia, known by its English common name of Julia Heliconian, in Malaysia. This neotropical butterfly originates from the southern states of USA to the South American countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.

A male Julia Heliconian at Phuket Butterfly Farm, Thailand

In my earlier article on the discovery of the Julia Heliconian, I postulated that the spread of this species would likely follow the colonisation route of two other species previously not found in Malaysia and Singapore, The Leopard Lacewing (Cethosia cyane) and Tawny Coster (Acreae terpsicore). Both these species have now fully extended their range southwards and are now resident species in Singapore, and in the case of the Tawny Coster, even further southwards to Indonesia.

Leopard Lacewing and Tawny Coster, two "exotics" that have colonised Malaysia and Singapore habitats and are now considered widespread. Just two decades ago, these species were not found in either country.

Just about six years after the first sighting of this species on Pulau Langkawi, a recent sighting by butterfly enthusiast Tai Lung Aik in Subang Jaya in the state of Selangor in Malaysia, supports the view that the Julia Longwing will continue to extend its range southwards in Peninsula Malaysia. Several sightings of an ovipositing female Julia Heliconian and the discovery of mature caterpillars on the host plant Passiflora suberosa, strongly suggests that the butterfly is moving slowly, but surely, down south and colonising areas conducive to its survival.

A female Julia Heliconian ovipositing near its host plant, Passiflora suberosa

It would appear that the Julia Heliconian has now adapted to two non-native, but widespread host plants, Passiflora foetida and Passiflora suberosa. Both plants are invasives and grow easily in the wild. In the case of the adult butterfly and caterpillars found by Lung Aik, they were discovered on an urban roadside fence on which the host plant was growing wild. This is not a cultivated plant nor a species that is popular for its aesthetic appeal to gardening enthusiasts.

The migration route of the Tawny Coster. Will the Julia Heliconian be found in Singapore soon?

If we trace the journey of the Tawny Coster that was previously absent from the Malaysia/Singapore butterfly fauna, it took nine years after it was first spotted in Pulau Langkawi to reach Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor. Thereafter, it continued its colonisation southwards and reached Singapore in about four years. Given that the Julia Heliconian is an even stronger flyer and shares the same caterpillar host plants as the Tawny Coster, will be see it in Singapore even faster? Perhaps in the next two to three years? Keep your eyes peeled for this South American invader!

Late instar caterpillars of the Julia Heliconian discovered by Tai Lung Aik in Selangor, Malaysia

A scientific paper has been written about the Julia Heliconian by Noah Burg et al. The paper implies that the Julia Heliconian, now found in Southeast Asia, probably originated from a butterfly farm in Phuket. The practice of releasing butterflies at weddings and also as a religious gesture during Vesak Day (a Buddhist festival), probably aided the spread of this exotic species.

A typical fence overgrown with "weeds", one of which is the host plant Passiflora suberosa

The paper also continued to validate its thesis using DNA sequencing, and proved that the Julia Heliconian found in Thailand and Malaysia, had its origins from Costa Rica. The DNA codes correspond with the subspecies Dryas iulia modesta which had likely made its way via human agency, having been imported as an exotic species to be featured at a butterfly farm in Phuket, Thailand.

A female Julia Heliconian flutters amongst its host plant, all ready to lay eggs

There are some observers who consider the "invasion" of this exotic species a serious "feral species invasion" in Southeast Asia, and anyone who spots this species should destroy it to prevent its impact on the native species in Southeast Asia. This may be an ideal or optimistic view, but certainly a futile one. The scientific paper by Noah Burg et al mentioned, "The distribution of the species in Thailand currently encompasses thousands of square kilometers, and eradication efforts are unlikely to be successful, particularly since P. foetida (and now P. suberosa as well) is a common, invasive species, making it difficult to find all possible larval host plants for control purposes."

The Julia Heliconian's host plant, Passiflora suberosa

I concur with the authors' views on the futility of any efforts to eradicate these species. Further premeditated interventions may even unknowingly cause the inadvertent demise of other species! The authors of the paper also mentioned "It is unclear how this novel introduction will affect wild populations of other organisms. The species has been observed feeding on Passiflora foetida, which is an invasive plant in Thailand, and the butterfly might therefore be a boon for biological control of this weed."

A female Julia Heliconian shot at the Phuket Butterfly Farm, Thailand

It would be interesting to see how the Julia Heliconian, an exotic, competes for survival against two other species, themselves exotics and "alien" to Southeast Asia until the end of the last millennium. As the Julia Heliconian, Tawny Coster and Leopard Lacewing all share the same host plants, it may be a case of "aliens vs aliens" in a battle for supremacy! The two host plants themselves are "aliens" and considered weeds. So it will be an interesting ecological study for academics who may wish to pursue this topic of invasive flora and fauna battling amongst themselves to establish control over a newly colonised habitat.

It may have started with a mistake of allowing imports of butterfly pupae from different parts of the world, but there is little that we can do to eradicate this species now. Butterfly releases further aggravate the problem, as they are intentionally spread by humans into their new environment. Southeast Asian butterfly farms also export butterfly pupae to butterfly houses and farms in temperate countries. Fortunately, biological legislation and biohazard regulations help to control such "exotics" (from the point of Europe and US), from escaping and establishing new alien populations.

Mature caterpillars and pupa of the Julia Heliconian found in Selangor, Malaysia

The question that we should ask now is, what other species are butterfly farms in the region importing from South America (and elsewhere) and would the release of these species continue unabated without any controls? The authors of the paper also alluded to genetic biopollution and other pathological risks, even if species amongst countries within the region cross borders via human agency.

The Yellow Palm Dart, an "invasive species" that has its origins in Australia. It is now found as far north as Ipoh in northern Malaysia

As it is, an Australian species, the Yellow Palm Dart (Cephrenes trichopepla) a skipper that was not known from Southeast Asia, has spread, probably due to horticultural trade, as far as the northern state of Perak in Malaysia. It has quietly and undramatically spread from its country of origin, Australia, and rapidly moved up north, as it resembles many local species and may have gone unnoticed. Its caterpillars feed on Palmae, and may be a potential pest to coconut growers.

Another male Julia Heliconian shot at the Phuket Butterfly Farm, Thailand. Will we see this species in Singapore soon?

Coming back to our South American beauty, the Julia Heliconian, it is only a matter of time before it further establishes colonies in the southern half of Peninsula Malaysia as it heads down south to Singapore. Keep a look out for a large orange butterfly that flies rather quickly and looks quite different from any of our other extant species in Singapore.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Tai Lung Aik and Khew SK

References : Noah A. Burg, Ashman Pradhan, Rebecca M. Gonzalez, Emely Z. Morban, Erica W. Zhen, Watana Sakchoowong, David J. Lohman Inferring the Provenance of an Alien Species with DNA Barcodes: The Neotropical Butterfly Dryas iulia in Thailand

Butterflies' Larval Host Plants #1
The Wild Cinnamon (Cinnamomum iners)

This 1st instalment of our Butterflies' Larval Host Plants series features a species of the family Lauraceae, Cinnamomum iners. The genus Cinnamomum comprise over 300 species in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the presence of aromatic compounds in leaves and barks, a number of notable Cinnamomum species have commercial value as spices: 1) Indian bay leaf comes from the species C. tamala; 2) camphor is derived from C. camphora; and 3) cinnamon is made from inner barks of several species including C. verum (true cinnamon) and C. iners (the subject of this article).

C. iners is widely planted as ornamentals or as hedges in gardens and parks in Singapore, likely due to its attractive foliage when there is a growth of new leaves of red and pink,. It is native to the Malaya peninsula, Singapore and India, but can be commonly found across the tropical regions. In Singapore, besides gardens and parks, this plant can be found in secondary forests, forest edges, and wastelands.

Plant Biodata :
Family : Lauraceae
Genus : Cinnamomum
Species : iners
Synonyms : C. initidum, C. paraneuron
Country/Region of Origin : Tropical Southeast/South Asia
English Common Names : Clove Cinnamon, Wild Cinnamon
Other Local Names : Kayu Manis, 大叶桂 , 野樟树
Larval Host for Butterfly Species: Graphium sarpedon luctatius (Common Bluebottle), Chilasa clytia clytia (Common Mime), Cheritra freja frigga (Common Imperial).

Left: A wild cinnamon tree on the hillside at Mount Faber. Right: A wild cinnamon tree in the Japanese Garden.

An evergreen, small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 18 m tall, the Wild Cinnamon features ovate-oblong leaves ranging from 8 to 30cm long. The thin and leathery leaves are simple and 3-nerved at base (having three longitudinal veins) and are arranged in opposite pairs. New leaves appears twice or more in each year. The young leaves are initially reddish pink.

The reddish pink young leaves.

Maturing leaves as the reddish coloration fades away.

The reddish and light green young leaves showing the three longitudinal veins.

The maturing leaves are soft and drooping, and light green in colour. Fully matured leaves are stiff and dark green. Traditionally, the leaves have medicinal uses as treatments for diarrhea, coughs, fever and rheumatism, and as an antidote for poisoning by the latex from the Poison Arrow Tree.

Drooping young/maturing leaves.

Mature leaves of the Wild Cinnamon.

Flowers of the Wild Cinnamon are small, creamy white to yellow and occur in panicles (much-branched inflorescence). These bisexual flowers attract insects such as bees, hoverflies and small beetles to act as pollinators in the reproduction process.

Panicles of flowers of the Wild Cinnamon.

Close up view of the flower buds.

Close up view of the creamy yellow flowers.

The small berry-like fruits are round to oblong, about 1.5x1 cm. They are initially green, but turn dark blue to purple when ripe.

Bunches of fruits of the Wild Cinnamon.

Left: young fruit; Right: mature fruit of the Wild Cinnamon.

In Singapore, the Wild Cinnamon also serves as the larval host plant for three butterfly species: Common Mime, Common Bluebottle and Common Imperial. The first two are swallowtail species, while the last one is a lycaenid.

A Common Mime butterfly.

A Common Bluebottle butterfly.

A Common Imperial butterfly.

Eggs of these three butterfly species are typically laid by the mother butterfly on the stem/leaves of a young shoot of the Wild Cinnamon, usually when the plant still at the sapling stage, at low heights (knee height to chest level).

A female Common Mime butterfly laying an egg on the underside of a young leaf of the Wild Cinnamon in a wasteland just outside the Dairy Farm Nature Park.

A female Common Bluebottle butterfly laying an egg on the stem of a young shoot of the Wild Cinnamon in the Southern Ridges.

A female Common Imperial butterfly laying an egg on a young leaf of the Wild Cinnamon in the Southern Ridges.

Left: eggs of the Common Mime; Right: an egg of the Common Bluebottle, found on young shoots of the Wild Cinnamon in a western wasteland.

Caterpillars of all three species feed only on young leaves of the Wild Cinnamon, and avoid the fully mature leaves altogether. When resting between feeds, caterpillars of both Common Mime and Common Bluebottle position themselves on the upperside of the leaf, and are thus relatively easy to spot. As a lycaenid, one might expect to find caterpillars of the Common Imperial in the company of attending ants. However, this is not the case as the Common Imperial caterpillar lacks the dorsal nectary organ and tentacular organs typically found in most lycaenid species.

Two eggs and one 1st instar caterpillar of the Common Mime found on together on a young shoot of the Wild Cinnamon in Jurong Eco Garden.

A 2nd instar caterpillar of the Common Mime resting against the mid-rib on the upper surface of a young leaf of the Wild Cinnamon.

A 5th (final) instar caterpillar of the Common Mime found on a leaf of the Wild Cinnamon in the Southern Ridges.

Early instar caterpillars of the Common Bluebottle found on the upperside of young leaves of the Wild Cinnamon in the Telok Blangah Hill Park.

4th instar (left) and 5th instar (right) caterpillars of the Common Bluebottle sighted in Mount Faber.

Caterpillars of the Common Mime typically wander away from the leaves and choose a stem/branch (not necessarily on the same Wild Cinnamon plant it feeds on) as its pupation site. Common Bluebottle caterpillars, on the other hand, could simply choose to pupate on the underside of a leaf or stem of the same Wild Cinnamon plant. In the case of Common Imperial, the pupation site is usually a spot on the stem of the same plant it feeds on.

A pupa of the Common Imperial found in the Southern Ridges.

Two views of a pupa of the Common Bluebottle on the underside of a leaf of the Wild Cinnamon.

Two pupae of the Common Mime on the same branch.

So when you are out in our parks and gardens, take a closer look whenever you encounter the Wild Cinnamon, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the sight of caterpillars or pupae of these three butterfly species, or better still, the sight of a mother butterfly doing its oviposition run.

References:

The Concise Flora of Singapore : Hsuan Keng Singapore University Press, 1990.

1001 Garden Plants in Singapore : Boo Chih Min, Kartini Omar-Hor and Ou-Yang Chow Lin, National Parks Board, 2nd Edition 2007.

Flora Singapura - Cinnamomum iners.

DNA, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum - Cinnamomum iners.

Cinnamon, Wikipedia.

Text and Photos by Horace Tan.

Butterfly of the Month - May 2015
The Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri)

The Spotted Black Crow feeding on the flower of the Sea Ox Eye (Melanthera biflora) a "weed" that is found in abundance in back mangrove areas

The month of May saw the weather changing from hot and dry to several days of torrential rain and gloomy weather. The earlier forecast of a dry spell by the National Environment Agency's Meteorological Service was quickly amended to warnings of intermittent thunderstorms and hot humid weather again.

The expected 'butterfly season' this year did not materialise. ButterflyCircle members who were out in the field all reported a rather consistent observation - that there were fewer butterflies at this time of the year compared to previous years. Did any weather phenomenon alter the butterfly activity? Or is this an exceptional year where there is distinctly a lower butterfly count than before? Whether this will continue in the coming years, we will have to continue to observe.

Globally, the wrath of Mother Nature was felt in Nepal, with a major earthquake striking towards the end of April, and another aftershock that occurred on 12 May. Considering the enormity of the earthquake, registering 7.8 on the Moment Magnitude Scale, casualty was around 8,000 fatalities and over 19,000 injured and even more made homeless.

If such an earthquake were to strike a more densely populated city, the casualty rate would have been unimaginable. Still, a life lost is a life lost. And the unfortunate citizens of Nepal who made it through the aftermath of the disaster need a lot of help in picking their lives up. My company organised an in-house donation drive, and managed to raise over S$8,000 for the victims of the quake. A lot more needs to be done, and different groups are organising themselves to give whatever assistance they can - in cash, in kind and other forms of aid.

One of the favourite nectaring source of the Spotted Black Crow is the StringBush (Cordia cylindristachya)

Over in Singapore, the SG50 (celebration of Singapore's 50th anniversary) events continue in various shapes and sizes. Preparation for the 28th South East Asian (SEA) games in Singapore is well under way. The games will commence on 5 Jun till 16 Jun. It has been 22 years since the games were held in Singapore - the last time being in 1993. With Singapore's new Sports Hub and updated facilities since then, the games venues are expected to be more sophisticated.

A Spotted Black Crow feeds on the flower of Bidens pilosa

This month, we feature one of the many "Crow" butterflies of Singapore, the Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri). The Crows from the genus Euploea feature medium-sized butterflies with predominantly dark coloured (navy blue or black) wings. The characteristic black or blue butterflies with prominent white spots and streaks, resembling their avian namesake Crows, probably gave rise to their collective name for this group of butterflies.

A Spotted Black Crow feeding at the flowers of Syzygium zeylanicum

The Spotted Black Crow is moderately rare in Singapore, and often observed singly where it occurs. The adult butterfly has an average wingspan of 70-90mm. It is usually found in forested areas, and particularly near mangrove and coastal areas like Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin and Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Visual ID key to distinguish between the Spotted Black Crow (left) and the Blue Spotted Crow (right)

The Spotted Black Crow's wings are predominantly black on the upperside and underside, except for the series of white marginal and submarginal spots on both the fore and hindwings. There are five apical spots on the forewing, two large and three small elliptical spots. The smallest spot on the forewing is one of the distinguishing features that separate this species from the closely-related Blue Spotted Crow (Euploea midamus singapura).

Unlike some of the other species in the genus, the male Spotted Black Crow does not have a brand on the forewing. The number of white spots on the hindwing and marginal area can be variable, and some individuals can have either missing spots, or larger than usual spots on the hindwings. Females are paler than the males.

Examples of the Spotted Black Crow pudding on damp concrete structure and on a damp sandbank

The butterfly flies and glides unhurriedly whilst looking for flowers to feed on. However, it is very alert and when photographing this species, a slight movement would make the butterfly take off quickly. Occasionally, males can be observed puddling at damp sandbanks and concrete structures in the nature reserves.

When alarmed the male Spotted Black Crow extrudes a pair of yellow hair pencils from its abdomen. These hair pencils are pheromone-signalling structures often present in male Danainae butterflies. Males Danainaes use hair-pencils in courtship behaviours with females. The pheromones excreted by the hair-pencils serve as both aphrodisiacs and tranquilizers to females as well as repellents to conspecific males

The full life history of the Spotted Black Crow has been successfully recorded on this blog, and can be found here. The local caterpillar host plants in Singapore are Gymnanthera oblonga (Apocynaceae, common name: Sea Rubber Vine), Parsonsia helicandra (Apocynaceae). Both plants are lactiferous and are often found in the vicinity of mangrove areas.

The typical colour and spots of the Crows are believed to be aposematic colouration that signal to would-be predators (especially birds) that the butterflies are distasteful and should be avoided.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Chng CK, Jerome Chua, Federick Ho, Khew SK, Loke PF, Horace Tan and Jonathan Soong

Life History of the Philippine Swift (Caltoris philippina )

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Caltoris Swinhoe, 1893
Species: philippina Herrich-Schäffer, 1869
Sub-species: philippina Herrich-Schäffer, 1869
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 30-34mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Bambusa_heterostachya (Poaceae; common name: Malay Dwarf Bamboo), Bambusa vulgaris (Poaceae, common names: Common bamboo, Buloh Minyak, Buloh Kuning).

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:

The forewing is distinctly excavate at vein 2. On the upperside, the wings are dark brown. The forewing does not have any cell spots, but there are hyaline spots in spaces 2,3 and 4, subapical spots in spaces 6 and 7. In addition, the male has a pale yellow spot in the lower half of space 1b of the forewing. On the underside, the wings are unicolourous with a strong greenish tinge.

A male Philippine Swift with partially opened wings, showing the lack of forewing cell spots.

A male Philippine Swift with partially opened wings, showing the arrangement of spots on the forewing upperside.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:

The Philippine Swift is rare in Singapore. Sightings typically took place in nature reserves or wastelands where clumps of bamboo are growing in the vicinity. The adults are usually seen perching on a leaf in a shady environment. At times, they have been observed to puddle on bird droppings.

Early Stages:

The Philippine Swift has been bred on two bamboo spp., namely, Bambusa_heterostachya and Bambusa vulgaris. The caterpillars feed on leaves of these bamboo spp. and live in leaf shelters formed from cutting/folding leaf fragments.

Local host plant #1: Bambusa_heterostachya.

Local host plant #2: Bambusa vulgaris.

The eggs are laid singly on the upperside of a leaf of the host plant. Each hemi-spherical egg is whitish with a small reddish/orangy patch at the top where the micropyle is situated. A number of very fine and obscure striations running longitudinally from the micropyle to the base. The basal diameter is about 1.1mm.

Two views of an egg of the Philippine Swift.

It takes about 4.5-5 days for the egg to hatch. The young caterpillar eats just enough of the shell to emerge, and has a length of about 2.9mm. Its golden yellowish body is cylindrical in shape and has a tuff of few moderately long setae at the posterior end. The head capsule is black. A black collar mark can be found the dorsum of the prothorax. The newly hatched nibbles away most of the egg shell remnant before proceeding to construct its first leaf shelter.

A newly hatched caterpillar eating its egg shell.

A newly hatched caterpillar in its very first leaf shelter. Further "stitching" work by the caterpillar will bring the two opposite edges together.

The body turns yellowish green after the caterpillar has a few sessions of the leaf diet. By the time the caterpillar lies dormant for its moult to the 2nd instar, its length has reached 5-5.5mm. The 1st instar takes a total of 3-3.5 days to complete.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, length:4.5mm.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length:4.9mm.

The 2nd instar caterpillar has a yellowish green body, and the head capsule is still black. The black collar mark on the prothorax has faded to just to hint of its presence. This instar lasts about 3-4 days with the body length reaching about 8.5-9.5mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 5mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 6.5mm.

The 3nd instar caterpillar still has a black head capsule but its body is now whitish with a slight hint of yellowish green. There is no longer any trace of the black collar mark on the prothorax. This instar lasts a total of 3-4 days with the body length reaching about 14-15mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 8mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 11.5mm.

The 4th instar caterpillar resembles the 3rd instar caterpillar closely. In some specimens, the head capsule is no longer entirely black as pale brownish lateral patches can be observed. This penultimate instar lasts 4-5 days with the body length reaching up to 20-21mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 14mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, length: 20mm.

As in the 4th instar, the 5th instar caterpillar has a whitish body with a yellowish green undertone. In a prominent change, its head capsule is now pale biege brown in ground colour but dark reddish brown along the periphery and various sulci (groove/furrow). Two reddish brown stripes rise from the adfrontal area, giving the appearance of a chinese character 山. The anal plate is unmarked as in the all previous instars. This final instar takes about 8-10 days to complete with the body length reaching 30-35mm.

Two views of a newly moulted 5th instar caterpillar, length: 20mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, length: 30.5mm.

Two views of another 5th instar caterpillar, length: 32mm.

Towards the end of 5th instar, the body of the caterpillar shortens in length and body colour assumes a uniform shade of pale lime green. It seeks out the underside of a leaf blade and forms a shallow but half-open shelter with silk threads at both ends. The body excretes a moderate amount of white waxy material at this stage. Within the shelter, a silk girdle and a silk pad are then spun. Once the caterpillar attaches its claspers to the silk pad, it enters the dormant prepupatory phase which lasts about one day.

Two views of a dormant pre-pupa of the Philippine Swift.

The pupa secures itself with the silk girdle and with its cremaster attached to the silk pad. It has a short thorax, a rather long abdomen, a short and pointed rostrum. The marking-free body is lime green in the thorax and wing pads but more yellowish green in the abdomen. Length of pupae: 25-30mm.

Two views of a pupa of a male Philippine Swift, length: 25mm.

After 7-8 days, the pupa becomes mostly black in the thorax and wing pads as the development within comes to an end. The next day, the adult Philippine Swift emerges from the pupa.

A mature pupa of the Philippine Swift.

A newly eclosed Philippine Swift, resting on its pupation shelter.

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2010.

Text by Horace Tan, Photos by Lemon Tea, Tan Ben Jin, Chng CK, Sunny Chir and Horace Tan

Butterfly of the Month - June 2015
The Dark Posy (Drupadia theda thesmia)

A female Dark Posy perching on a leaf

The month of June 2015 is an exciting month for Singapore nature, with two big events showcasing our local biodiversity happening during this school holiday month. In the coming weekend (13-14 Jun), NParks will be organising "Ubin Day" (should rightfully be called Ubin Weekend this year) with a bunch of very energetic and enthusiastic volunteers and nature groups.

Then at the end of June, we will have the fourth instalment of the Festival of Biodiversity at VivoCity Mall on the 27-28 June. ButterflyCircle will have a booth at the FOB2015 to feature our members' work as well as bringing some new attractions this time! The Festival of Biodiversity is also organised by NParks, and this festival to showcase Singapore's awesome biodiversity first started in 2012 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Do look out for our ButterflyCircle booth at the end of this month at FOB2015!

Last week, I had the opportunity of spending a whole week back in my hometown of Penang in Malaysia. My company had our Board meeting there. We also brought our Directors to visit some of our projects that are underway and to meet with our Malaysian clients. We also took the chance to visit some local historical sites to understand more about Penang.

A quick visit to the Kek Lok Si Temple complex brought back many fond childhood memories and despite many spanking new facilities and temples, I still had a preference for the old "yellow pagoda" which I climbed many times in my childhood and teenage years. This time around I approached the temple with a bit of trepidation because I wasn't sure if I was fit enough to make it to the top, having last climbed the pagoda about 25 years ago!

Fortunately, I still made it! The view at the top was no less exhilarating, although it was no longer the tallest structure around, like in the old days. As a young boy, I was told that there were 1,000 Buddha tiles adorning the walls of each storey of the pagoda - changing from bronze to gold as one climbs higher up. And then there was this old wives' tale that once you pass the threshold of the entrance of the pagoda, you must climb all the way up to the highest level for good luck!

Over in East Malaysia, the wrath of Mother Nature was felt again, this time when a 6.0 MMS magnitude earthquake struck near Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. Although not a major earthquake, magnitude-wise, as compared to the one that struck Nepal, it coincided with the school holidays and several school groups were making the climb up to the peak at that time. It was heart-breaking to learn that a Sabahan guide and a 12-year old Singaporean school girl lost their lives in the quake.

At the time of writing, 8 pupils and 2 teachers are still unaccounted for. It must be a traumatic time for the parents and loved ones of these students and teachers, and we can only pray that they are safe somewhere up on Mount Kinabalu. But it is sad to read on social media how clueless commenters have started to blame the authorities, Ministries, schools and everyone else under the sun.

A male Dark Posy resting in the shade. Note its shorter sword-like tails

Coming back to our Butterfly of the Month for June 2015, we feature a small but attractive 'hairstreak' butterfly, the Dark Posy (Drupadia theda thesmia). This species is considered moderately rare in Singapore, and usually found in the forested nature reserves. Occasionally, several individuals may be seen together, frolicking at tree-top level in the late hours of the afternoon, basking on the tops of leaves when the sun shines through the forest canopy.

A male Dark Posy sunbathes showing its purple-blue upperside

The male is dark purple above with an orange discal patch on the forewing. This form, f-minara is the typical male form found in Singapore. Like its close cousin, the Common Posy (Drupadia ravindra moorei), it can sometimes be seen opening its wings to sunbathe in the late afternoon hours on a hot sunny day.

A female Dark Posy sunbathes showing its upperside

The female is brown with a bluish grey tornal patch on the hindwing which has a few black submarginal spots. The forewing post-discal area usually feature a small orange patch that can sometimes be obsolete in some individuals. Females of the Dark Posy also have slightly longer tails compared to the males.

Visual ID key to distinguish between the Common Posy (left) and the Dark Posy (right)

On the underside, the forewing is a deep orange, marked with darker transverse stripes, whilst the hindwing is white with black spots and lines. This species can be separated from the similar-looking Common Posy in that the space between the two black stripes forming the cell-end bar on the hindwing beneath is white, and not solid black as in the Common Posy.

Males are more skittish and are active in the afternoons on hot sunny days. They tend to select a few favoured perches and then flit from perch to perch where they sometimes open their wings to sunbathe. Female Dark Posies prefer to feed on the sweet sap from the young shoots of plants, and indeed, they have often been encountered doing so, in the forested areas.

The life history of the Dark Posy has been succesfully recorded on the forest creeper, Combretum sundaicum, a host plant that it shares with several other butterfly species in Singapore. You may refer to the detailed life history of the Dark Posy here.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Khew SK, Koh CH, Loke PF, Nona Ooi and Horace Tan

Life History of the Grey Pansy (Junonia atlites atlites)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Junonia Hübner, 1819
Species: atlites Linnaeus, 1763
Subspecies: atlites Linnaeus, 1763
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 55-60mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Nelsonia canescens (Acanthaceae), Hygrophila spp. (Acanthaceae), Limnophila villosa (Plantaginaceae)

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the upperside, the wings are pale greyish buff and distinctly marked with dark brown discal and submarginal lines. Post-discal series of eye-spots, some of which are divided into an outer black half and an inner orange half, are found on both forewing and hindwing. On the underside, the wings are marked as per above but all markings are much paler.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
This species is the rarest of the four Pansy species in Singapore. It makes seasonal and localized appearances, and can be found in nature reserves and coastal parks. It flies in the usual gliding manner of the Junonia spp. Under sunny condition, the adults have a habit of opening their wings wide to sunbathe while resting on a perch.

Early Stages:
In Singapore, two host plants have been recorded so far. They are Nelsonia canescens and Limnophila villosa, belonging to the Acanthaceae and Plantaginaceae families respectively. Both occur as herbs, carpeting the ground wherever they inhabit. The caterpillars of the Grey Pansy feed on leaves of the host plants.

Local host plant: Nelsonia canescens.

The eggs of the Grey Pansy are laid singly on the leaves or shoots of the host plants. The greenish egg is somewhat globular in shape but with a flat top. A number of raised ridges run from this top end to the base of the egg. Each egg has a diameter of about 0.6-0.7mm.

Two views of an egg of the Grey Pansy. Diameter: 0.75mm.

A maturing egg of the Grey Pansy.

The egg takes about 3 days to hatch. The young caterpillar emerges by eating away part of the egg shell, and then proceeds to eat the rest of the egg shell from the outside. The initial length of the newly hatched is about 1.3mm. The cylindrical and yellowish orange body is covered with many small tubercles. Long dark setae emanate from these tubercles. The head capsule is black entirely. Once it starts to devour leaf lamina, the 1st instar caterpillar takes on a yellowis green appearance. After reaching about 3mm in 2-3 days, the caterpillar moults to the 2nd instar.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar eating its egg shell, length: 1.3mm.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, length: 2.5mm.

The body of the 2nd instar caterpillar is pale brown. Moderately long and branched brownish processes run along the length of the body. Fine setae emanate from these processes and from other small tubercles on the body surface. The head capsule is black. This instar lasts about 2-2.5 days with the body length reaching about 5mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 4.5mm

A late 2nd instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 5mm.

The 3rd instar caterpillar resembles the 2nd instar caterpillar closely, except for proportionately longer dorso-lateral and lateral processes. This instar takes about 2 days to complete with body length reaching about 9.5mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 7mm.

The 4th instar caterpillar closely resembles the 3rd instar caterpillar, except for the proportionately longer processes and the change of the body colour to a much darker shade of brown. This instar lasts about 3 days with the body length reaching up to about 16mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 10mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 15.5mm.

The 5th (and penultimate) instar caterpillar is almost black to the naked eyes. One discernible difference is the presence of a dense set of moderately long fine setae covering the entire body surface. The black head capsule also takes on small orange-coloured patches. This instar lasts for about 3 days, and the body length reaches up to 24mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 16mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 24mm.

The 6th (and final) instar caterpillar is similar to the 5th instar caterpillar but has an even denser carpet of whitish fine setae on the body surface. A yellowish-orange band is present laterally, running just below the spiracles. The head capsule is black with its upper quarter in orange.

A 6th instar caterpillar, length: 26mm.

A 6th instar caterpillar, length: 35mm.

The 6th instar lasts for 4-5 days, and the body length reaches up to 45mm. At the end of the 6th instar, the caterpillar ceases feeding and wanders around. Eventually it stops at a spot on the underside of a leaf, petiole, young shoot/stem and spins a silk pad from which it hangs vertically to take on the pre-pupatory pose.

A pre-pupa of the Grey Pansy.

Pupation takes place about 0.5 days later. The pupa suspends itself from the silk pad with no supporting silk girdle. It is entirely greyish brown with a series of dorso-lateral pairs of short and pointed processes, one pair to each segment. The dorsum is sharply raised at the mesothorax. Length of pupae: 17-19mm.

Two views of a pupa of the Grey Pansy.

A mature pupa of the Grey Pansy.

After about 6 days of development, the pupal skin of the mature pupa turns translucent and the pupa turns dark brown as a result. Patches of orangy brown can also be noticed in the wing pad. The adult butterfly emerges from the pupa the next day.

A newly eclosed Grey Pansy resting on its pupal case.

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2010.

Text by Horace Tan, Photos by Benedict Tay, Bobby Mun, Loke PF, Sunny Chir, Khew SK and Horace Tan

A New Discovery in 2015!
The Common Yeoman (Cirrochroa tyche rotundata)

The Common Yeoman, a new addition to the Singapore Checklist

It started with a couple of shots that were sent to my WhatsApp account on my mobile phone on 10 Jun 2015. The photos were from Zhou Boyi, a Manager at the National Biodiversity Centre Div of NParks, who wanted to know if he had shot the recently discovered Malay Yeoman (Cirrochroa emalea emalea). Boyi was recording shots of butterflies on the new smartphone app known as SGBioAtlas developed by NParks.

Zhou Boyi's first shots of the newly-discovered Common Yeoman in Singapore

However, the butterfly that he encountered did not exactly match those photos of the Malay Yeoman on the SGBioAtlas, and he was curious if he got the ID of the butterfly correct. A quick look at his shots on my mobile phone indicated that what Boyi shot was indeed not the Malay Yeoman, but another close relative in the same genus Cirrochroa.

A Common Yeoman puddling in Singapore

This was the Common Yeoman (Cirrochroa tyche rotundata), a species that has not been recorded in Singapore before by the early authors. After establishing the last-seen location where Boyi shot the butterfly, ButterflyCircle members went to the urban garden to check out if the species was still around so that we could take more shots of this new discovery. Coincidentally, ButterflyCircle members also discovered another orange-coloured species, the Vagrant (Vagrans sinha sinha) in 2013, at another urban gardens in Singapore.

To our surprise, we discovered a small colony of the Common Yeoman! Earlier records of new discoveries and re-discoveries in Singapore, where individuals were reliably photographed, were either seasonal or migratory individuals chanced upon by butterfly enthusiasts. For these species, only one or two sightings were made, and many were not seen again. However, the presence of the colony of the Common Yeoman suggests that this species could have been successfully breeding in Singapore for some time already, before it was spotted.

A Common Yeoman perched on a leaf

At the location where it was first discovered by Boyi, we spotted at least half a dozen individuals and even a female ovipositing on its host plant. It is an active butterfly, flying restlessly and rarely stopping to rest, reminiscent of the common Leopard (Phalanta phalantha phalantha) - flapping and turning with half-opened wings even when at rest. When actively fluttering around, it can tire even the most determined of photographers with its unceasing skittish flying behaviour!

After some time of patient waiting, we spotted a puddling male Common Yeoman that was cooperative enough for us to photograph it. It appeared to be a recently-eclosed individual, from its bright colours and pristine wings. In the meantime, several other females and males were spotted fluttering around the shrubbery, making only momentary stops to rest.

A Common Yeoman shot in Panti Forest Reserve, Johor

The Common Yeoman can be found in West Malaysia, and we have photographed it at the Panti Forest Reserve in southeast Johor, a mere 40-50 km drive from Singapore. There, it demonstrated the same active and skittish behaviour and was also photographed puddling on damp footpaths in forested area.

Another Common Yeoman shot in the Kuala Kangsar area (Perak state) in Malaysia

A quick comparison of the photographs of the Common Yeoman shot in Singapore showed that it matched quite closely with those shot in West Malaysia, in particular those from Panti Forest. This would be the Malaysian subspecies rotundata. The Common Yeoman is fulvous orange above, with a black distal margin or with black sinuate marginal and submarginal spots and lines. The Common Yeoman does not have the broad black apical area on the forewing like the other related species.

A mating pair of the Common Yeoman, shot in Panti Forest Reserve in Johor

The underside is paler with a silvery white or whitish transverse band across both wings. In the Common Yeoman, this pale discal band is narrow and generally uniform in width across both wings, whilst the band widens towards the costa of the forewing in the other related species.

A Common Yeoman puddling on the muddy forest floor at Panti Forest Reserve, Johor

The butterflies of the genus Cirrochroa are known to show migratory tendencies. They have been described as "rapid in flight but occasionally found at moist spots on the roadside." [Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula by Corbet & Pendlebury 4th Edition, pg 153]

A Common Yeoman perched on a leaf. Shot in Singapore

How did the Common Yeoman appear in Singapore? Did it migrate naturally across the Straits of Johor, when the prevailing winds were in its favour? Or did the caterpillars or pupae of this species stow away on plants that came into Singapore? Many theories may be expounded as to how this species first came to Singapore, but we will never know for certain.

A Common Yeoman perched on a leaf. Shot in Singapore.

That a colony of the butterflies has now established themselves in Singapore is now certain. For how long this will sustain, we will have to observe closely. Would the lack of genetic diversity wipe out the species after a few generations due to inbreeding? Or will it thrive and be a resident species in Singapore and adding to the biodiversity of our butterfly fauna? Its geographical range is described as "occurring throughout Sundaland", but why was it not earlier recorded in Singapore?

As with many mysterious phenomena occurring in our natural world, there are more questions than there are answers. But we will record the Common Yeoman as species #318 in the Singapore Butterfly Checklist, and observe whether the species will continue to flourish on our little island in the sun.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Goh LC, Federick Ho, Khew SK, Horace Tan and Mark Wong

References :

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Special thanks and credit to Zhou Boyi of the National Parks Board for the discovery of this new butterfly species to Singapore.

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

Life History of the Common Hedge Blue (Acytolepis puspa lambi)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Acytolepis Toxopeus, 1927
Species: puspa Horsfield, 1828
Sub-species:lambi Distant, 1992
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 25-30mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Combretum sundaicum (Combretaceae), Ventilago maingayi (Rhamnaceae), Prunus polystachya (Rosaceae), Rosa hybrids (Rosaceae).

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:

On the upperside, the male is shining blue with a black border widening to about 2mm at the forewing apex; and the female is pale shining blue with very broad black borders on both wings. On the underside, the wings are greyish white and have the usual black marginal spots and post-discal bands on both wings. In addition, each hindwing features several black spots in the basal half and one small black spot at the extreme base of space 7.

A sunbathing male Common Hedge Blue showing us its wing upperside.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:

This species is moderately common in Singapore. It is usually found in forested areas of the nature reserves but occasional sightings have been made in urban parks and gardens. They have been observed to sunbathe with open wings and puddle on damp forest paths.

Early Stages:

Four local host plants have been recorded so far for the Common Hedge Blue. Of these, Combretum sundaicum and Prunus polystachya can be found in many parts of the central catchment reserve. Caterpillars of the Common Hedge Blue feed on young leaves of the host plants and are typically found in the company of attending ants.

Local host plant #1: Combretum sundaicum.

Local host plant #2: Ventilago maingayi.

Local host plant #3: Prunus polystachya.

Eggs of the Common Hedge Blue are laid singly on a young leaf, a young shoot, or the flower buds of the host plant. The small pale green egg is discoid in shape and about 0.6mm in diameter, its surface covered with a reticulated pattern of intersecting ridges. The micropylar sits atop in the middle of the top surface.

A female Common Hedge Blue laying an egg on the underside of a young leaf of Combretum sundaicum.

A female Common Hedge Blue laying an egg on the flower bud of a rose plant.

An egg of the Common Hedge Blue.

The egg takes 3 days to hatch. The young caterpillar emerges after nibbling away sufficiently large portion of the egg shell. Measured at a length of about 1mm, its pale yellowish body is cylindrical in shape, sporting long fine setae (hair) dorso-laterally and laterally. It has a pale yellowish brown head capsule. The newly hatched feeds on the lamina of a young leaf. After about 2-3 days of growth and reaching a length of about 2mm, the caterpillar moults to the next instar.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar, length: 1mm.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 1.25mm.

A 1st instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 1.9mm.

The body of the 2nd instar caterpillar is covered with numerous short and whitish setae. Rows of longer white setae can be found dorsally and laterally. The body is pale yellowish brown to pale yellowish green. The prothoracic shield has the same coloration as the body base colour and thus indistinct. Meanwhile, the head capsule is still pale yellowish brown. This instar lasts about 3-4 days with the body length reaches up to 4mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 2.9mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 4mm.

Caterpillars of the Common Hedge Blue with ants in attendance on a leaf of Combretum sundaicum. Can you spot the three caterpillars?

The 3rd instar caterpillar resembles the 2nd instar caterpillar closely in having numerous short and fine setae all over the body. Short oblique whitish stripes are present on the body dorso-laterally. Their arrangement on the sides of the dorsum gives the impression of yellowish green dorsal band being present. Both the dorsal nectary organ (on the 7th abdominal segment) and tentacular organs (on the 8th abdominal segment) are now easily observed. The 3rd instar takes 3-4 days to complete with the body length reaching about 7-8mm.

Two views of a newly moulted 3rd instar caterpillar, eating its exuvia, length: 4mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 4.5mm.

Two views of a late 3rd instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 6mm.

A caterpillar of the Common Hedge Blue with ants in attendance on a young shoot of Prunus polystachya.

The 4th (and final) instar caterpillar bears cose resemblance to its former self in the 3rd instar. The lateral oblique whitish markings and the dorsal band are more prominent in this instar. Depending on the coloration of the leaf it feeds on, the caterpillar could come in a pale green form, a pale yellowish brown form or a reddish brown form. The dorsal nectary organ is easily observed as a paler elliptical patch on the 7th abdominal segment.

Two 4th instar caterpillars, brown and green forms, length: 8mm.

Two views of another 4th instar caterpillar, length: 11mm.

Two views of yet another 4th instar caterpillar, reddish brown form, on young leaves of Ventilago maingayi, length: 12mm.

After about 4-5 days of growth and reaching a maximum length of around 14mm in the final instar, the body of the caterpillar gradually shrinks and decolorises. The caterpillar typically chooses to enter their pre-pupatory phase in tight pockets of space between leaves in leaf litter. At the chosen site, the caterpillar readies itself for pupation by spinning a silk girdle and a silk pad. The caterpillar secures itself to the silk pad via claspers at its posterior end.

Two early pre-pupae of the Common Hedge Blue.

Two views of a pre-pupa of the Common Hedge Blue.

Two views of a pupa of the Common Hedge Blue.

Eclosion takes place after 5-6 days in the pupal stage. The mature pupa gradually darkens in colour the day before. Bluish patches on forewing upperside become clearly visible in the wing pads of the mature pupa, and the extent of blue coloration will now tell us the sex of the soon to emerge adult.

Two views of a mature pupa of a male Common Hedge Blue.

Two views of a mature pupa of a female Common Hedge Blue

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2010.

Text by Horace Tan; Photos by Jonathan Soong, Koh Cher Hern, Cai Jin Huang, Anthony Wong, Chng CK, Loke PY and Horace Tan

ButterflyCircle @ Festival of Biodiversity 2015!
VivoCity : 27-28 July 2015

ButterflyCircle members with MOS Desmond Lee at FOB 2015

The Festival of Biodiversity (FOB) enters its fourth year, featuring and celebrating Singapore's awesome biodiversity. Held for the 3rd time at the VivoCity Shopping Mall over the school holiday weekend, the FOB2015 was again a popular draw with the visitors at Singapore's largest shopping mall.

The Festival of Biodiversity is an annual event organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) in collaboration with the Biodiversity Roundtable. Initiated in 2012, the Festival aims to create awareness and foster a sense of appreciation for our natural heritage in Singapore.

This year, in 2015 coinciding with Singapore's 50th birthday, NParks partnered 32 organisations and interest-groups to showcase Singapore's flora and fauna to members of the public. Intentionally held at a shopping mall to "convert the unconverted" to appreciate our rich biodiversity - both marine and terrestrial, and create awareness of the natural heritage that Singapore is endowed with.

ButterflyCircle's A0 sized poster. Special thanks to CJ for putting up this fantastic work!

ButterflyCircle continued to support the FOB into its fourth year, taking up a booth and highlighting the work that ButterflyCircle members have been doing over the years since it was founded. Thanks to CJ, Eng Chuan, Brian and Jerome for coming early on Saturday morning to set up our booth.

Our younger generation taking a special interest in butterflies

This year, we combined forces with the founder of the Seletar Country Club Butterfly Garden, Mr Foo Jit Leang. Mr Foo brought several containers of caterpillars that he was babysitting for his garden to showcase the early stages of our butterflies. After experiencing 3 years of the FOB, it was certainly a great addition to the educational boards and videos. I also brought a box of specimens of Singapore's common urban butterflies and together with the caterpillars, these new attractions were a hit with the younger visitors at the booth.

Mr Foo also had his capable assistants Mei, Cheng Khim, Vanessa and Janice to help out at the booth. Cheng Khim was especially popular with the kids as she encouraged them not to be fearful of butterfly caterpillars and carefully explaining to the kids (and their parents) how to take care of caterpillars to ensure that they become the pretty and colourful butterflies that we love in our environment!

Curious visitors, young and not-so-young, being attended to by ButterflyCircle members

ButterflyCircle members also turned out in full force, and special thanks to Anthony, Loke, Chng, Eng Chuan, Brian, Jonathan, Cher Hern, Horace, Bob, Simon, Billy, Federick and CJ who stayed at the booth to answer any questions that visitors may have. Other members like Sunny, Nelson, Mark , Tan CP, Liz, and our supporters Nikita and Siaomouse also turned up to support ButterflyCircle at the FOB.

This year, ButterflyCircle's booth was swarmed with visitors, particularly the younger generation, who were fascinated by the caterpillars, pupae and the butterfly specimens. Often-heard questions were "are these real?" and "do the caterpillars bite?" were heard. The video collage and posters, capably put together by CJ, captured the imagination and educated visitors on the less-often seen aspects about butterflies.

MOS Desmond Lee delivering his speech at FOB 2015

The Guest of Honour for this year's FOB was our Minister of State for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee. An avid nature lover himself, MOS Lee is a regular at nature, biodiversity and parks events. In his speech, he shared the various action plans that the government is putting in place to conserve our biodiversity - both on land and in the sea.

NParks' Garden Butterfly Count Poster

He also highlighted the Nature Conservation Masterplan, emphasising the four key thrusts - Physical planning, Programmes, Research, and Community stewardship. Of particular interest to ButterflyCircle members was the forthcoming National Garden Butterfly Count that will be held in September this year. This will be aided by the use of NParks smartphone app, SGBioAtlas.

Sharing about butterflies with the VIPs

MOS Lee, Mr Dhanabalan, Mr Khoo Teng Chye and other VIP guests also stopped by the ButterflyCircle booth to find out more about butterflies. MOS Lee also sportingly took a photo with the group, as he always generously obliged, like in previous years.

Mr Foo Jit Leang, founder of the Seletar Country Club Butterfly Garden, with his capable assistants who made this year's ButterflyCircle booth a special experience for the kids!

ButterflyCircle members, Mr Foo and his helpers had two long and hectic days at the FOB. But they were satisfying and rewarding days, as all of us shared our passion and knowledge about butterflies to all the visitors who came to learn more about nature's flying jewels in Singapore.

You have to look cool to examine butterflies too!

After four years of FOB, it is now important for the Biodiversity Roundtable to take stock of what we have successfully done to create awareness, appreciation and interest amongst the public for our biodiversity. Moving ahead, we will have to ask "what next?". Now that we have greater awareness and support from the public and government agencies, what do we do with it? People will ask, so what do we do with our biodiversity? What can we learn and gain from this knowledge? Where will conservation bring Singapore to, in the next stage?

Profound questions to ponder as we prepare for the road ahead...

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Chng CK, Bob Cheong, Elizabeth Chow Tjakrawinata, Foo Jit Leang, Khew SK, Huang CJ and Loke PF.

A heartfelt note of appreciation to all ButterflyCircle members who volunteered to man our booth and who turned up to support us - Goh EC, Brian Goh, Bob Cheong, Loke PF, Huang CJ, Simon Sng, Jerome Chua, Anthony Wong, Mark Wong, Chng CK, Horace Tan, Federick Ho, Nelson Ong, Tan CP, Nikita Lee, Siaomouse, Koh Cher Hern, Elizabeth, Billy Oh and Jonathan Soong.

Special thanks to Foo Jit Leang, Cheng Khim, Mei Hwang, Vanessa and Janice for helping out with the caterpillars and teaching the kids to appreciate our butterflies!

Life History of the Common Yeoman (Cirrochroa tyche rotundata)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Cirrochroa Doubleday, 1847
Species: tyche C & R Felder, 1861
Sub-species:rotundata Butler, 1879
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 50-60mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Hydnocarpus castanea (Achariaceae), Hydnocarpus alpina (Achariaceae).

A male Common Yeoman puddling on wet ground.

A pristine male Common Yeoman resting on the underside of a leaf.

Another puddling male Common Yeoman.

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the uppersdie, the wings are tawny orange with black distal margin, sinuate marginal and submarginal lines. The hindwing has a series of black post-discal spots. The female is duller orange with black margin at the forewing apex broader than that in the male. On the underside, the wings are paler orange in the male and dull brownish orange in the female. Both wings feature a silvery white transverse discal band.

A female Common Yeoman resting on a perch.

A female Common Yeoman showing us its upperside.

A female Common Yeoman sunbathing on a perch in between oviposition flights to the host plant nearby.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
This newly discovered species has so far been sighted at two locations in Singapore. The adults are rapid in flight and not easy to photograph. Typically, photography opportunities arise when the males are puddling on wet ground, or when the females are taking breaks between oviposition runs.

Another Common Yeoman on a leaf-perch.

Early Stages:
Caterpillars of the Common Yeoman have been observed to feed mainly on young to middle-aged leaves of the two local host plants, Hydnocarpus castanea and Hydnocarpus alpina. It is likely that other members of the Hydnocarpus genus could serve as larval hosts for the Common Yeoman.

Local host plant: Hydnocarpus castanea.

A mating pair of the Common Yeoman (female left, male right).

The eggs of the Common Yeoman are laid singly or in small groups of 2 to 3 on the leaf underside or young shoots of the host plant. Sometimes eggs can be found laid on the cobweb present on the leaf underside. The pale whitish to yellowish egg is somewhat globular in shape but with a blunt top. The surface is marked with small rectangular to hexagonal pits. Each egg has a diameter of about 0.8-0.85m, and a height of about 0.85-0.9mm.

Two views of an egg of the Common Yeoman.

A pair of eggs laid on cobweb.

Left: maturing eggs. Right: one mature egg adjacent to an half-eaten egg shell.

The egg takes about 2.5 days to hatch. The young caterpillar emerges by eating away part of the egg shell. The rest or part of the remaining egg shell becomes the first meal for the newly hatched which is about 2.2mm in length. It has a cylindrical and pale pinkish body covered with many small tubercles and long setae. The head capsule is coloured as per the body and has two large black lateral patches.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar of the Common Yeoman, length: 2.2mm.

The 1st instar caterpillar feeds on the lamina of young leaves and between feeds, it typically rests on leaf underside against the midrib. The body colour takes on a pale yellowish green undertone as it grows. After reaching about 4-4.2mm in 1.5-2 days, the caterpillar moults to the 2nd instar.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, length: 3mm.

The body of the 2nd instar caterpillar is yellowish brown. Long and branched dark-brown to black processes run along the length of the body. On each side of the body, there are three series of such processes: One series occurs dorso-laterally, another lateraly and the last sub-spiracularly. The head capsule is black entirely. This instar lasts about 1-1.5 day with the body length reaching about 6-6.5mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 4.2mm

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 5mm

The 3rd instar caterpillar has the dorso-lateral and lateral processes proportionately longer and black in color. The body is dark yellowish brown with a slight green undertone. The head capsule is still black in colour. This instar takes about 2 days to complete with body length reaching about 9-10mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, early in this stage.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, length: 8mm.

The 4th instar caterpillar closely resembles the 3rd instar caterpillar. It has proportionately longer processes when compared those in the 3rd instar. The head capsule is still entirely black in this penultimate instar. The 4th instar lasts about 2 days with the body length reaching about 15-16mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 10mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, length: 16mm.

A 4th instar caterpillar observed feeding on the underside of a young leaf in the field.

The 5th (and final) instar caterpillar is similar to the 4th instar caterpillar. The body base colour is still pale yellowish brown, but there are numerous dark brown patches on the body and together with the prominent dark circular bases of the spiny processes give the caterpillar a dark brown appearance. The most specimens, the head capsule is still entirely black, but in some specimens, the black border at the upper rim recedes and coloration there turns pale yellowish brown.

A newly moulted 5th instar caterpillar.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, length: 26mm.

The frontal view of a 5th instar caterpillar, showing the black head capsule and spiny processes.

The 5th instar lasts for 3.5-4 days, and the body length reaches up to 26-27mm. On the last 0.5 day, the body shortens and decolorizes to pale beige brown. The caterpillar ceases feeding and wanders around. Eventually it stops at a spot on the underside of a leaf, and spins a silk pad from which it hangs vertically to take on the pre-pupatory pose.

A late stage caterpillar of the Common Yeoman seen in the presence of a female adult in the field.

Two views of a pre-pupa of the Common Yeoman.

Pupation takes place about 0.5 days later. The pupa suspends itself from the silk pad via the cremaster attachment. It is almost entirely whitish or pale yellowish brown. Dorso-laterally, along the body length, there are pairs of white-tipped, curled processes, one to each segment. These processes are mostly orange basally and black below the tip. Two additional pairs of prominent processes are present laterally on the 3rd and 4th abdominal segments. Length of pupae: 16-18mm.

The pupation event of a Common Yeoman butterfly

Two views of a pupa of the Common Yeoman.

Two views of a mature pupa of the Common Yeoman.

After about 3.5-4 days of development, the pupal skin of the mature pupa turns translucent and the orange wing upperside become discernible in the wing case as a result. The eclosion event takes place the next day, typically in the evening.

The eclosion event of a Common Yeoman butterfly

A newly eclosed male Common Yeoman resting on its pupal case.

A newly eclosed female Common Yeoman resting on its pupal case.

The upperside view of a newly eclosed female Common Yeoman.

The underside view of a newly eclosed female Common Yeoman.

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

Text by Horace Tan, Photos by Mark Wong, Koh Cher Hern, Frederick Ho, Khew S K and Horace Tan

Special thanks to Mr Craig Williams and Mr Ooi Zong Yu of NParks for critical assistance with regards to the larval host plant.

Butterfly of the Month - July 2015
The Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope)

We have just edged past the halfway mark of the year 2015. A relatively quiet month so far, compared to the more tumultuous preceding months. The summer heat is upon us as Singapore's outdoor ambient temperatures move into the 30's - and made worse by the high humidity. On my short business trip to Delhi and Ranchi in India at the end of last month, I experienced even higher temperatures, although fortunately, the monsoon rains have just started there.

ButterflyCircle members had an enjoyable weekend at the Festival of Biodiversity 2015 at the end of June. More forthcoming community projects with NParks are on the cards, with the NParks Butterfly Count project in September. A challenging project, considering that it involves the general community and sightings of butterfly species in urban parks have to be recorded and counted. Unlike birds, sighting and identifying butterflies requires a bit more experience and training. It will be a good platform to learn how best to deal with field surveys with beginners.

On the local political front, the signs of general elections (GE) are in the air. A lot of chatter in social and mainstream media and speculation on when our PM is going to announce the date of the GE. In an era of greater awareness and a more educated electorate, Singapore is at a "first-world" level of democracy where high majorities for the ruling party are probably something that can no longer be expected. Again, food for thought, as we wait with bated breath for GE.

Across our northern border, the political arena is even more complex. Allegations of corruption of unprecedented proportions at the highest political office gripped Malaysians of all walks of life. Alleged "indisputable" evidence from a prominent western media giant pointed to large sums of money being misappropriated. Again, as the drama unfolds, this will be another significant event in the political history of Malaysia. We will have to wait and see what pans out.

Further drama was in the news in the global scene, when the Greeks voted on a referendum regarding the bailout conditions of their country's debt. On the economic scene in Asia, China's stock markets took a bashing dropping a third over the past month. It is no wonder that economic soothsayers are predicting more doom and gloom in the global economy - a situation that would no doubt affect Singapore as well.

Let's leave the worldly woes for awhile as we introduce our Butterfly of the Month for July 2015 - the Colonel (Pandita sinope sinope). This Nymphalidae is one of many species in the family that has been christened with military names. In my article on this blog some time back, I gave some possible reasons how this came to be.

A Colonel feeding on the ripened fruit of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum)

The Colonel is a mid-sized orange butterfly that may be considered moderately rare. However, it is quite local in distribution and often observed in the vicinity of its caterpillar host plants. Sporting an average wingspan of about 50mm, it is not an unusually large butterfly, and may be confused, when in flight, with several other orange-coloured butterflies.

The Colonel is a bright orange above, with the fore and hindwing bases shaded with brown streaks. The outer half of both the fore and hindwings is a prominent brown post-discal band and three dark submarginal lines. The underside is similarly marked, but lighter, with the basal wing area a greenish-grey.

The butterfly is skittish and active and flies with rapid beats of its wings and glides in a manner that is quite consistent with many related species in the sub-family Limenitidinae. Often it may be encountered at the ripened fruits of the Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum), on which it feeds greedily. In the early morning hours, it may be encountered gliding amongst the shrubbery and settling to sunbathe with its wings fully opened.

The full underside of the Colonel in this in-flight shot

It is a forest butterfly, and rarely observed in urban parks and gardens. At times, it takes on a territorial behaviour, returning repeatedly to a few favourite perches after flying around to explore its environment. When feeding, it also tends to move its wings often and is very alert. Any threatening movement by an observer will quickly spook it off to the treetops.

A newly-eclosed Colonel clinging on to its pupal shell

The complete life history of the Colonel can be found on this blog article. The host plant on which the species has been successfully bred in Singapore is Uncaria. It has also been bred in Malaysia on another plant - Nauclea subdita also from the Rubiaceae family.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Chng CK, Khew SK, Huang CJ, Loke PF, Nelson Ong, Horace Tan and Mark Wong.

Butterflies' Larval Host Plants #2
The Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica micrantha)

This 2nd instalment of our Butterflies' Larval Host Plants series features the Chinese Violet (Asystasia gangetica subspecies micrantha), a member of the family Acanthaceae, which is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants occurring as tropical herbs, shrubs or twining vines.

A. gangetica micrantha is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has spread to and become naturalized in other tropical regions including Singapore where its occurrence is widespread as a weed in multiple habitats including wastelands, roadside, forest fringes, coastal areas and other neglected land parcels.

Plant Biodata :
Family : Acanthaceae
Genus : Asystasia
Species : gangetica
Sub-species : micrantha
Synonyms : A. coromandeliana, A. intrusa, Justicia gangetica, Ruellia intrusa
Country/Region of Origin : Africa, Tropical regions
English Common Names : Chinese Violet, Common Asystasia
Other Local Names : Ara Songsang, 赤边樱草
Larval Host for Butterfly Species: Hypolimnas bolina jacintha (Jacintha Eggfly), Doleschallia bisaltide ?bisaltide var. (Autumn Leaf), Junonia orithya wallacei (Blue Pansy).

A small patch of the Chinese Violet on the side of a pathway at Mount Faber.

An ascending and spreading herb, the Chinese Violet is a fast growing plant that could reach up to a height of 60cm, and to about 100cm if supported. The stems root easily when the nodes come into contact with moist soil.

A young plant of the Chinese Violet establishing itself at a patch of soil (disturbed by foraging wild boars) at a reservoir park, showing the branching of stems.

The leaves are simple, opposite and decussate (successive pairs of opposite leaves occur at right angle to each other). Each leaf is ovate or heat-shaped, 3 to 7.5cm long. In parts of Africa, the leaves are used as a vegetable and as a herbal medicine.

A top view of two successive pairs of leaves, showing the opposite and decussate arrangement.

A side view of two successive pairs of leaves, showing the opposite and decussate arrangement.

Flowers of the Chinese Violet are small and tubular, each up to 3.5cm long. There are usually 6 to 10 flowers borne on one side of a spike-like inflorescence. The calyx (sepals) is deeply 5-lobed, and the five spreading petals are mostly white with the bottom petal bearing purple blotches. These bisexual flowers attract insects including various species of butterflies to act as pollinators in the reproduction process.

An inflorescence with two flowers near bottom and flower buds further up.

Close up view of a flower of the Chinese Violet.

Butterflies taking nectar from the flower of the Chinese Violet. Top left: Chestnut Bob, Top right: Cabbage White; Bottom left: Common Dartlet; Bottom Right: Common Tiger.

Butterflies taking nectar from the flower of the Chinese Violet. Top left: Fulvous Pied Flat, Top right: Telicota sp.; Bottom left: Pitcher Blue; Bottom Right: Tree Flitter.

The flower buds on an inflorescence of the Chinese Violet do not blossom simultaneously but progressively from the bottom to the top, and fruits would be forming while the upper flower buds are yet to blossom.

An inflorescence of the Chinese Violet showing the progressive development of the flower buds, in the bottom to top order.

Each fruit is a club-shaped capsule, up to 35mm long, green when developing and pale brown when ripened. Each fruit has 4 seeds which are brown, lens-shaped with irregular margins. The seeds are expelled explosively upon ripening of the fruit.

Two young fruits near bottom of an inflorescence of the Chinese Violet.

Two fruits, one ripened, at the terminal end of an inflorescence of the Chinese Violet.

Two views of an opened fruit capsule with one remaining seed shown.

In Singapore, the Chinese Violet also serves as the larval host plant for three butterfly species: Jacintha Eggfly, Autumn Leaf and Blue Pansy. All three belong to the Nymphalidae family and the Nymphalinae sub-family.

A Jacintha Eggfly butterfly.

An Autumn Leaf butterfly.

A Blue Pansy (female) butterfly.

Eggs of these three butterfly species are laid singly or in a small, loose cluster on the underside of a leaf of the Chinese Violet.

A female Jacintha Eggfly laying eggs on the underside of a leaf of the Chinese Violet (not far from the Vivocity mall).

A female Autumn Leaf butterfly laying eggs on the underside of a leaf of the Chinese Violet.

Caterpillars of all three species feed on leaves of the Chinese Violet and typically rest on the underside of a leaf when resting.

Several caterpillars of the Autumn Leaf butterfly sighted on the Chinese Violet in a wasteland.

A final isntar caterpillar of the Autumn Leaf butterfly sighted on a Chinese Violet plant at a forest fringe.

A Blue Pansy caterpillar found on the inflorescence of a Chinese Violet plant at a roadside in Jurong.

The caterpillars of all three species would wander away from the host plant (seeking a pupation site) when it is time to pupate. However some of them could still opt to pupate on the underside of a leaf or a leaf stalk of the Chinese Violet.

A pre-pupatory larva of the Autumn leaf found on the underside of leaf of the Chinese Violet.

A pupa of the Autumn leaf found on the underside of leaf of the Chinese Violet.

Next time when you are out for a walk in our parks and forests, or simply taking a stroll on a pavement in your residential estate, do take a good look at any patch of weeds present, chances are that the Chinese Violet will be there. And you might just be rewarded with a sight of insects visiting its flowers, or caterpillars munching away or resting on its leaves.

References:

The Concise Flora of Singapore : Hsuan Keng Singapore University Press, 1990.

Asystasia gangetica, Wikipedia.

Chiniese Violet Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha, Weeds of Australia.

Text by Horace Tan, and Photos by Tan Ben Jin, Mark Wong, Khew SK and Horace Tan.

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks
Featuring : Jurong Eco Garden

Jurong Eco Gardens' Butterfly Garden

Over on the "western front" of Singapore, sits a quiet and serene park near the Nanyang Technological University campus. This 5Ha park, developed by Jurong Town Corporation (JTC), was planned as part of the CleanTech Park (CTP) masterplan. The park offers tenants and neighbouring community a venue for social, educational and recreational activities, and the natural wildlife that make up the unique ecology of the site.

An overview of Jurong Eco Garden

The CleanTeck Park development by JTC attempts to push the boundaries of sustainable masterplanning for a largely industrial development. Typically, industrial parks in Singapore are densely planned to optimise land use, with buildings organised in a rather regimented and utilitarian manner. The CTP departs from the compact planning that is usually associated with industrial parks. At the heart of the CTP masterplan sits a lush park called the Jurong Eco Garden. JEG has four areas - Summit Forest, Wildlife Corridor, Stream Ravine and Freshwater Swamp Forest - seamlessly interspersed with the CleanTech building parcels.

Bioswales and stairs leading to the Summit Forest

Efforts were made to conserve the natural environment and biodiversity of the area during planning and development stages. Through the implementation of green initiatives (e.g. tree conservation) and a phased development approach, JTC made a laudable effort to preserve the biodiversity within the business park. From a baseline biodiversity survey conducted before development commenced, subsequent comparisons with post-development observations showed that the diversity of butterflies did not suffer too much of an adverse impact.

In a holistic effort to promote a sustainable development JTC worked with the landscape designers to create a wildlife corridor and a green "heart" to the overall development masterplan. Fruit- and nectar-producing plants are spaced carefully around the gardens to attract wildlife into the park. Where possible, trees were conserved to provide shade and promoting walkability in CTP. Raw material from felled trees on site were used for signage and site furniture. Rich topsoil was harvested during construction and used for softscape planting in JEG.

Recycled rocks from Jurong Rock Caverns used in the bioswales and hardscape at JEG

Over 11,340 tons of excavated rocks from JTC's Jurong Rock Caverns were used in the construction of Summit Lookout, swales, gabion walls, signage and art sculpture. Stormwater management is one of the most ambitious green features of JEG. When the estate is fully developed and occupied (by 2030), this storm water management system will leverage the undulating terrain to channel and detain 65% of the estate run offs.

Storm-water detention ponds and a system of phytoremediation strategies using plants to cleanse the water for re-use

The water collected is cleansed during conveyance by the biotopes put in place. It is then reused for non-potable use like toilet flushing and irrigation of plants during dry periods. This system is estimated to save 12,600 litres of water each month. Swales run throughout JEG, connecting microhabitats within the park and serving as a source of water for fauna. Various aquatic animals, dragonflies, damselfies and butterflies can be found along the swales.

JEG Butterfly Garden

For butterfly enthusiasts, a dedicated butterfly garden was developed within JEG. Situated near the Central Plaza and next to the Composting Station, the butterfly garden features specially-selected butterfly attracting nectaring and host plants. Covering an area of about 1,500 m2, the JEG butterfly garden teems with butterfly life on a good sunny day.

Swallowtails shot at JEG's Butterfly Garden

Of particular interest is the presence of the Common Birdwing (Troides helena cerberus) which is considered vulnerable in Singapore. We have found this species' caterpillar host plant, Aristolochia acuminata, growing wild in the adjacent forests. This host plant is also being cultivated to sustain the population of the Common Birdwing and also the Common Rose, which shares this host plant. Other Papilionidae that have been spotted here include the Common Mormon, Lime Butterfly, Common Rose and Tailed Jay.

Lime Butterfly feeding in Stachytarpheta mutabilis flowers

The lush Lantanaand Ixora bushes are the best places to park yourself, if you want to see these butterflies fluttering and feeding. Many of the other nectaring plants like Leea indica, Leea rubra, Stachytarpeta indica and mutabilis also attract many species of butterflies.

Caterpillar host plants for species like the Plain Tiger, Blue Pansy, Great Eggfly, Autumn Leaf are interspersed within the butterfly garden to attract a greater variety of butterflies to the area. With the forested catchment in the vicinity of JEG, other species that are forest dependent are occasionally spotted feeding on the buffet of nectaring plants in the butterfly garden.

A skipper feeding on the red Ixora javanica flowers

In the early hours of the day, a butterfly watcher should be able to spot many Hesperiidae zipping around the bushes and feeding greedily on the nectar-rich flowers. As the sun warms the butterfly garden, the faster-flying Pieridae like the Lemon, Orange and Mottled Emigrants appear, flying strongly from flower to flower to feed.

On a good day, a butterfly watcher/photographer can expect to see at least 10-15 different species at the butterfly garden. As the butterflies are distracted whilst feeding on the flowers, it is also easier to approach and photograph these skittish creatures.

Combination of conserved trees and introduced flora at JEG

There is even a nature trail next to the butterfly garden where one can walk in the shady forest understorey, to look for the shade-loving butterflies like the Common Faun (Faunis canens arcesilas) and other denizens that lurk in the low-light environment.

As the butterfly garden matures and more butterfly-attracting plants are brought into the area, we can expect the diversity of the butterfly population will continue to grow in the coming years. JEG is JTC’s first attempt to develop a community space within an industrial estate focusing on sustainability and biodiversity. JEG can also be used to engage the different communities such as residents from nearby housing estates, neighbouring schools, as well as interest groups, in particular nature photographers and biodiversity enthusiasts.

School groups are involved in various programmes at JEG

Today, a total of 13 schools have been involved in programmes hosted in JEG, which focus on the areas of sustainability, biodiversity and the arts. For example, River Valley High School uses JEG as an educational platform for their students to learn about topography studies, microclimate studies and water monitoring. In addition, Rulang Primary School also uses JEG to showcase their students' artwork. Since the official opening of JEG in June 2014, it has hosted over 200 students through various school curriculum and community programmes.

CleanTech One building. Development will invariably sacrifice biodiversity. Can we find a balance?

Whilst JTC has made a good start to create a man-made garden to conserve the biodiversity of the CTP, it is important not to overlook the "wilder" areas in the vicinity. Stronger focus should be made to conserve these areas, instead of converting them for people, rather than the fauna that exists within these forests. It is primarily because of these sanctuaries of biodiversity that thrive within these undisturbed areas that JEG is successfully attracting birds, butterflies and other fauna for its visitors to enjoy.

Ample directional signage at JEG to guide you around

So, if you have some time to enjoy a nature walk on a nice weekend, do pay Jurong Eco Garden a visit. You will be surprised to see the diversity of wildlife in this small patch of greenery. As it is located away from the hustle and bustle of urban residential areas, JEG is usually quieter and less crowded.

How to Get There :
By Bus : Take the feeder service No 199 from Boon Lay Interchange and alight at Nanyang Ave. Walk past CleanTech One building as shown on the map, and there will be signs to show you where JEG is.

By Car : See map for details. Park at either CleanTech One (ERP parking) or just outside the Thow Kwang Dragon Kiln (free parking but limited lots).

Text by Chen Yimin & Khew SK : Photos by Bob Cheong, Khew SK and Simon Sng.

Special thanks to Chen Yimin of JTC for added information for this article.

Checklist of Butterflies Observed at JEG to date :

Troides helena cerberus (Common Birdwing)
Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris (Common Rose)
Papilio clytia clytia (Common Mime)
Papilio demoleus malayana (Lime Butterfly)
Papilio demolion demolion (Banded Swallowtail)
Papilio polytes romulus (Common Mormon)
Graphium sarpedon luctatius (Common Bluebottle)
Graphium agamemnon agamemnon (Tailed Jay)
Delias hyparete metarete (Painted Jezebel)
Leptosia nina malayana (Psyche)
Appias libythea olferna (Striped Albatross)
Catopsilia pyranthe pyranthe (Mottled Emigrant)
Catopsilia pomona pomona (Lemon Emigrant)
Catopsilia scylla cornelia (Orange Emigrant)
Eurema hecabe contubernalis (Common Grass Yellow)
Eurema blanda snelleni (Three Spot Grass Yellow)
Danaus chrysippus chrysippus (Plain Tiger)
Danaus genutia genutia (Common Tiger)
Danaus melanippus hegesippus (Black Veined Tiger)
Parantica agleoides agleoides (Dark Glassy Tiger)
Ideopsis vulgaris macrina (Blue Glassy Tiger)
Euploea mulciber mulciber (Striped Blue Crow)
Elymnias panthera panthera (Tawny Palmfly)
Elymnias hypermnestra agina (Common Palmfly)
Mycalesis mineus macromalayana (Dark Brand Bush Brown)
Mycalesis perseus cepheus (Dingy Bush Brown)
Mycalesis visala phamis (Long Brand Bush Brown)
Orsotriaena medus cinerea (Dark Grass Brown)
Ypthima baldus newboldi (Common Five Ring)
Hypolimnas anomala anomala (Malayan Eggfly)
Doleschallia bisaltide bisaltide (Autumn Leaf)
Junonia hedonia ida (Chocolate Pansy)
Junonia almana javana (Peacock Pansy)
Junonia orithya wallacei (Blue Pansy)
Acraea terpsicore (Tawny Coster)
Cethosia cyane (Leopard Lacewing)
Phalanta phalantha phalantha (Leopard)
Cupha erymanthis lotis (Rustic)
Pandita sinope sinope (Colonel)
Neptis hylas papaja (Common Sailor)
Phaedyma columella singa (Short Banded Sailor)
Tanaecia iapis puseda (Horsfield's Baron)
Polyura hebe plautus (Plain Nawab)
Taxila haquinus haquinus (Harlequin)
Allotinus unicolor unicolor (Lesser Darkwing)
Zizula hylax pygmaea (Pygmy Grass Blue)
Lampides boeticus (Pea Blue)
Jamides celeno aelianus (Common Caerulean)
Anthene lycaenina miya (Pointed Ciliate Blue)
Surendra vivarna amisena (Acacia Blue)
Iraota rochana boswelliana (Scarce Silverstreak)
Hypolycaena thecloides thecloides (Dark Tit)
Tajuria cippus maxentius (Peacock Royal)
Badamia exclamationis (Brown Awl)
Iambrix salsala salsala (Chestnut Bob)
Udaspes folus (Grass Demon)
Suastus gremius gremius (Palm Bob)
Plastigia naga (Chequered Lancer)
Unkana ambasa batara (Hoary Palmer)
Potanthus omaha omaha (Lesser Dart)
Telicota besta bina (Besta Palm Dart)
Pelopidas mathias mathias (Contiguous Swift)
Pelopidas conjunctus conjunctus (Conjoined Swift)
Polytremis lubricans lubricans (Small Branded Swift)

Life History of the Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda leda)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Melanitis Fabricius, 1807
Species: leda Linnaeus, 1758
Subspecies: leda Linnaeus, 1758
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 50-60mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plant: Megathyrsus maximum (Poaceae, common name: Guinea Grass).

Wet season form of the Common Evening Brown.

Wet season form of the Common Evening Brown.

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
The wings have falcate (sickle-shaped) termen (outer margin), more so in the female. On the upperside, the wings are dark brown with a large sub-apical patch which is black with two white spots embedded and shaded with orange brown on the inner side. On the underside, both wings differ markedly between the wet season and dry season forms. In the wet season form, the wings are bluff or greyish brown, bearing series of transverse striae in dark brown and there is a series of submarginal black eye-spots which are white-centred and yellow-ringed. In the dry season forms, the wing markings are more cryptic and the submarginal spots are less prominent, reduced in size or even obsolete. In some specimens, the markings on the wings exhibit drastic contrast between (very) dark brown and (very) pale brown patches.

Dry season form of the Common Evening Brown.

Dry season form of the Common Evening Brown.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
The Common Evening Brown is a moderately rare butterfly in Singapore. Adults are typically sighted flying at dawn and before dusk, at and around grass patches, thickets or dense vegetation.. The adults fly rapidly at low level and in short hops, and have been observed to puddle on wet grounds and visiting flowers for nectar. In Singapore, the wet season form is more commonly seen than the dry season form.

Early Stages:
Worldwide, the Common Evening Brown utilizes a number of larval host plants in the Poaceae family, including Oryza sativa (Asian Rice) and Zea mays (Maize). In Singapore, so far only the grass species, Megathyrsus maximum (Guinea Grass), has been identified its larval host. The caterpillars feed on leaves of the host plant, and tend to rest lengthwise on the underside of a grass blade during pauses between feeds. The caterpillars are gregarious and often feed and rest together (in a neat row) on the leaf underside.

Local host plant: Megathyrsus maximum.

The eggs are laid in small clusters (clusters of 2, 3 and 6 have been observed) on the underside of a grass blade of the host plant. Each spherical egg (about 1mm in diameter) is pale translucent with a light yellowish green tinge. The surface appears to be smooth to the naked eyes.

Two views of a cluster of eggs of the Common Evening Brown .

Two views of a cluster of mature eggs with the head clearly visible through the egg shell.

The egg takes about 3 days to hatch. The young caterpillar nibbles away a portion of the egg shell to exit and then proceeds to devour the rest of the egg shell almost entirely. It has a cylindrical body in whitish colour, and an initial body length of about 3-3.1mm. The body is covered with dorso-lateral and lateral rows of black setae. At the posterior end, there is a pair of backward-pointing processes. Its dark colored head features a number of setae and has a pair of short and rounded horns and a few lateral protuberances.

Two newly hatched caterpillars.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar, length: 3.1.mm

As a result of its leaf diet, the 1st instar caterpillar soon takes on a strong greenish undertone. The first instar lasts about 3 days with the body length increases to about 6-6.8mm.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, length: 5mm.

Two views of a late 1st instar caterpillar, length: 6.8mm.

A group of three caterpillars feeding in unison.

A group of five caterpillars resting in a single file.

In the 2nd instar, the cephalic horns become proportionately longer and the two anal processes longer and thus pronounced. The few lateral conical protuberances are no longer present. The body is yellowish green, and the head is mostly batch except for a ccentral green patch. The body is also adorned with numerous minute whitish tubercles, each with a single seta emanating from it. Thin, lateral white bands are also present. The 2nd instar lasts about 2-25 days with the body length reaches about 10-11mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 9.8mm.

Two views of a late 2nd instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 9.8mm.

The 3rd instar caterpillar resembles the previous instar closely. The head capsule is mostly black except for the basal areas around the mouth parts which are pale lime green. The cephalic horns are again proportionately longer. This stage takes about 2-2.5 days to complete with body length reaching about 18-19mm.

Two views of 3nd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 12.5mm.

Two views of a 3nd instar caterpillar, length: 18.8mm.

The 4th instar caterpillar again has proportionately longer cephalic horns which now take on a hinge of reddish brown in its coloration. Small, lateral, white patches could be seen in the head capsule of some specimens. Otherwise, the caterpillar bears strong resemblance to those in the early two instars. The 4th instar lasts about 3.5-4 days with body length reaching about 31-32mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, length: 22mm.

Two views of a late 4th instar caterpillar, length: 32mm.

A late instar caterpillar of the Common Evening Brown observed in the field in northern catchment reserve.

The next moult brings the caterpillar to its 5th and final instar. The body is yellowish to lime green with the head exhibits remarkable variations in coloration and markings. The cephalic horns are usually red to reddish brown, with some being whitish on the backward side. The head proper could be black with greenish patches and white lateral patches, or entirely green with lateral whitish bands. In a period of about 4.5-5.5 days, the body grows to a maximum length of about 45-51mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, length: 44mm.

Two views of another 5th instar caterpillar, length: 45mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 49mm.

Toward the end of the 5th instar, the body gradually shrinks in length and turn mostly yellowish green. Typically, the caterpillar will seek out a spot on the underside of a leaf blade to spin a silk pad. It then anchors itself there via its anal end, and assumes its upside-down pre-pupatory pose.

An early 5th instar caterpillar seen in the field on the underside of a leaf blade of the Guinea Grass.

A prep-pupa of the Common Evening Brown.

After about one day as a pre-pupa, pupation takes place. The smooth pupa is yellowish green throughout. It is slightly angular in appearance, with a dorsal keel on the thorax and ridges defining the dorsal wing margins. There are a few dark stripes in the wing pads, otherwise the pupa bears no other markings. Length of pupae: 21-22mm.

The pupation event of a Common Evening Brown butterfly.

Three views of a pupa of the Common Evening Brown.

After 6 days of development, the pupa becomes darkened in color, and the ringed-spot on the forewings can now be seen through the pupal skin in the wing pads. The next day the eclosion event takes place with the adult butterfly emerges to start the next phase of its life cycle.

Three views of a mature pupa of the Common Evening Brown.

The pupation event of a Common Evening Brown butterfly.

A newly eclosed Common Evening Brown.

References:

[C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society.

Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2010.

Text by Horace Tan, Photos by Anthony Wong, Nelson Ong, Chng CK, Huang CJ, Jonathan Soong, Tan Ben Jin, Frederick Ho, Khew SK and Horace Tan

Butterfly of the Month - March 2015
The Bamboo Tree Brown (Lethe europa malaya)

The 3rd month of 2015 started quite uneventfully, with nothing out of the ordinary with regard to world news, besides the usual stuff filling our news portals daily. The weather is a lot drier now in Singapore, as the shift from the wet months of the year end gave way to rainless days and parched landscapes. Some sporadic bush fires that occurred were promptly put out by our efficient Fire Service (SCDF).

We are well into the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Goat now, as our new year celebrations ended after 15 days of feasting and tossing raw fish salad with vociferous "huat ah" during our numerous traditional "lo-hei" sessions to bring good luck for the coming year. And lucky were two punters, who won S$6M apiece in the Singapore Toto Lunar New Year Hongbao draw!

Speaking of fish, the spate of fish deaths in the waters of Singapore continues to be a mystery. It was reported that on Feb 28, a wave of plankton bloom wiped out almost all fish stock at several fish farms on the eastern coast of Singapore. The authorities said that as of early March, the bloom had killed an estimated 500 to 600 tonnes of fish after affecting 55 out of 63 fish farms along the East Johor Straits and like an invisible spectre, continues to spread within Singapore's waters. The plankton bloom is known to suck oxygen from the sea, hence killing all life in the water. Another symptom of global warming?

This month's feature butterfly is the Bamboo Tree Brown (Lethe europa malaya). The Bamboo Tree Brown primarily occurs in lowland forests where its preferred host plant, the bamboo, is cultivated. It is likely that its caterpillars may also feed on several species of Bambusa and other related types of monocotyledons in Southeast Asia.

A Bamboo Tree Brown shot in Southern Thailand, where the same subspecies malaya is also found

The butterfly appears to be more often observed during the rainy season months of the year and is most active the early and late hours of the day. In rural areas, it is occasionally attracted to the lights in houses, perching on the walls under the lights until a hungry house lizard (or locally known as the chichak) comes by.

This species is surprisingly uncommon and local in Singapore, where only a small number of sightings of the butterfly has been recorded and in very localised areas. Some areas where it was seen were at the Khatib Bongsu, Sime Forest, Pulau Ubin and at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (always not far from where its host plant grows).

A Bamboo Tree Brown perching on a sign at the Bamboo Grove at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where it is often spotted

The Bamboo Tree Brown flies in a hopping manner quite similar to the related Mycalesis and Orsotriaena species and remains close to the ground. It stops to rest on the top surfaces of leaves or twigs, with its wings folded upright. The butterfly is skittish and has a wide circle of fear and is usually difficult to approach to photograph. A lot of patience on the part of the photographer is required before a decent shot of this butterfly can be achieved.

This species usually lurks in the vicinity of shady undergrowth amongst bamboo clumps and leaf litter. Once it is disturbed and springs from the undergrowth, it is not easy to track as it flies quickly and its cryptic underside wing patterns camouflages itself when it lands amongst thick bushes and dried leaves.

Occasionally, it is attracted to tree sap and rotting fruit on the forest floor, and whilst it feeds greedily, it may be distracted and gives an observer a better chance of approaching it before it flies off again. It is very rarely seen to display the upperside of its wings.

The Bamboo Tree Brown is predominantly brown above, with females having a wider subapical band on the forewing compared to the male. The undersides bear a number of cryptic patterns with thick lilac ocelli on the forewing. There is a short "tail" at vein 4 of the hindwing.

In Singapore, it is the 2nd largest species amongst the Satyrinae found here, only slightly smaller than the Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda leda) which is another species whose caterpillar also feeds on monocotyledons.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Sunny Chir, Chng CK, Antonio Giudici, Federick Ho, Huang CJ, Khew SK, Loke PF, Jonathan Soong and Anthony Wong

Butterfly of the Month - August 2015
The Blue Spotted Crow (Euploea midamus singapura)

It's the month of August already! We're into the 8th month of 2015, and it's a month of celebrations for our little red dot island in the sun. On 9th August, Singapore celebrates its 50th birthday after independence. How far we've come from being a sleepy colonial trading outpost to the vibrant economic powerhouse whose GDP per capita is one of the highest in the world.

Fireworks display at the National Day celebrations

There have been numerous articles and discussions about Singapore during the past week and leading up to the Golden Jubilee celebrations, highlighting the little island state that has punched way above its weight (or, in Singapore's case, size) in terms of economic success. A little island of just above 700 sq km with virtually no natural resources, it has recorded a stellar rise in the standard of living since its separation from Malaysia back in 1965.

Singapore night skyline showing the Marina Bay Sands complex

Today, Singapore boasts some of the most modern infrastructure in Southeast Asia, with its economy humming along relatively healthily for a developed country. Its order (things work efficiently!), security, clean & green environment are some of the attributes that residents of Singapore are thankful for. Despite a reputation for being the world's most expensive city to live in, there are many things going for this little island that makes Singapore the envy of many other cities around the world.

Black Knights flight display on National Day

Even as the spectacular fireworks, the screaming Black Knight jets and singing of nationalistic songs at our SG50 celebrations begin to just fade away, news of the coming General Elections and rumours about when Polling Day will be, fill the mainstream news portals and social media. It will be exciting months ahead as Singaporeans ponder about the future and which political party we will choose to govern and lead Singapore for the next five years.

As the sea of red-and-white continues to decorate Singapore in all manner of ways to remind us of our national flag's colours, we take a look at our feature Butterfly of the Month for August 2015. Readers may be wondering why a drab black-and-white butterfly is being featured during a month of celebrations? In an attempt to be less literal in terms of a visual treat featuring our national colours, there is a special reason why we are featuring the Blue Spotted Crow for this SG50 month on this blog.

The clue is in the scientific name of this butterfly. It is one of three of our local butterflies that make reference to "Singapore" in their subspecies names. In the case of the Blue Spotted Crow, its scientific name is Euploea midamus singapura. What can be more befitting than to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday with a butterfly that bears the name of our beloved little island?

A Blue Spotted Crow puddling on a sandy streambank

The Blue Spotted Crow subspecies singapura has predominantly black wings with white spots arranged in a similar fashion as in the lookalike Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri). However, the subapical spots on the forewing of the Blue Spotted Crow is more quadrate rather than elliptical, and there are four spots instead of five in the Spotted Black Crow. These diagnostic characteristics of the white subapical spots distinguish between the two similar-looking species.

The subspecies singapura of the Blue Spotted Crow is described to be found only on Singapore Island, Pulau Tioman and Pulau Aur - the latter two islands on the eastern side of the Malay Peninsula. Up to date records of this subspecies on the two Malaysian islands are few, making the existence of this subspecies on Singapore island the most reliable records in recent years. Could it even be suggested that the population of this subspecies on Singapore island be considered "endemic", if no further sightings of singapura on the Malaysian islands are recorded in future?!

The Blue Spotted Crow has a slow and unhurried flight, and can be observed in urban as well as nature reserve habitats. It is usually spotted singly either feeding at flowers, or puddling. The butterfly is sometimes observed to puddle on concrete, brick and wood surfaces of buildings in the vicinity of forested areas. It is an alert butterfly, and takes flight at the slightest movement, even when it is feeding.

Caterpillar of the Blue Spotted Crow

As it feeds on lactiferous vines of the Apocynaceae family, it is likely to be distasteful to predators like the related species in the genus. The mature caterpillar is spectacular and unique, making it a very pretty caterpillar and almost "unreal".

Finally, we would like to wish all our Singaporean readers a Happy 50th National Day and Majulah Singapura!

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Chng CK, Khew SK, Henry Koh, Loke PF, Nelson Ong, Horace Tan, Wong Chee Ming and Mark Wong

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