Pasir Ris Park (Dec 2020)

 I'll resurrect this blog with a selection of butterflies spotted at Pasir Ris Park over a couple of days this December. Pasir Ris Park is really a rather good place to encounter some of the commoner species of butterflies (as well as some less common ones dependent on the mangroves), and the casual butterfly observer will almost always not leave empty-handed. 

The Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus), is almost always sure to be found fluttering around the Blood Flower plants at the butterfly corner within the park.

The Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris macrina) is also another resident butterfly at the park. These 'tiger' butterflies, along with the Dark Glassy Tiger, are not difficult to observe and photograph as they fly languidly amongst the flowers, taking their time to feed at each flower head.

The Cycad Blue (Chilades pandava pandava) is another lovely little butterfly that is commonly encountered there. This particular individual was deeply engrossed in its nectar drink and offered opportunities for many pleasing 'grey on grey on grey' photographs.

The Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana) is a cheerful butterfly which is also regularly encountered at the park. This butterfly has beautiful eyespots on its hindwings.

Finally, a Blue Nawab (Polyura schreiber tisamenus), one of the less common butterflies that can occasionally be found within the mangrove forest. This butterfly is a challenge to photograph as it is a very strong and fast flyer, and somewhat restless and alert.

More to come...

 It's time to resurrect this blog. Stay tuned!

Common Palmfly (Elymnias hypermnestra)

Recently a Common Palmfly caterpillar pupated on one of my palm plants, with the adult butterfly emerging just a few days back. Just a few pictures I snapped of the chrysalis and the butterfly.

Dorsal view of the chrysalis. It is coloured a lovely bright green with yellow lines edged in red and blends in surprisingly well with the palm leaves. The chrysalis is attached to the underside of the palm leaf.

Side view of the chrysalis. This was just a day before the butterfly emerged. The wings and eyes of the butterfly are clearly visible but have not yet taken on any colour.

Side view

The adult Common Palmfly hanging from its empty pupal case while its wings dry. The undersides are coloured a rich reddish brown and heavily streaked.

At Tampines Eco Green

Although the sky was overcast and there were intermittent drizzles, many butterflies were visible, as were other invertebrates and birds. Below are some shots of the critters I encountered.

First up, a Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe) caterpillar on its host plant, Senna alata, also known as Seven Golden Candlesticks. There were caterpillars of various instars on the plant, although I did not notice and adult Mottled Emigrants.

A hapless Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) impaled on the fangs of a crab spider

A garishly coloured and undoubtedly toxic White-Marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillar lying in full view and enjoying a late lunch

A Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus) feeding on Leea rubra blooms. It appeared very contented and quite lethargic.

A Bush Hopper (Ampittia dioscorides camertes) basking on a leaf. These are small butterflies which 'skip' around amongst tall blades of grass.

More Bush Hoppers

Another Bush Hopper

The underside of the Bush Hopper

Most likely a Yellow Grass Dart (Taractrocera archias quinta). No hook at the end of the antennae unlike the Lesser Dart.

A Tawny Coster (Acraea violae) feeling on the blooms of Mikania micrantha. Lots of these butterflies fluttering around  the park.

The undoubted highlight of the trip, the Long-banded Silverline (Spindasis lohita senama). This particular individual was looked remarkably pristine. The underside of the Long-banded Silverline is strikingly and quite whimsically marked. There were a few of these butterflies around a particular Leea rubra bush, and they kept returning to their favourite perches.

Long-banded Silverline

Long-banded Silverline

A more fortunate Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) perched on a blade of grass.

Common Grass Yellow

The very common Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe contubernalis). Its commonness takes nothing away from its charm; this cheerful little creature almost perfectly embodies the word 'butterfly'. There can be few pleasanter sights than one or a few of these butterflies fluttering amongst colourful blooms in bright sunlight.

Another Eupanacra elegantulus caterpillar

The green form of the caterpillar of the Eupanacra elegantulus hawkmoth on Monstera deliciosa. Spectacularly big (4 inches long), spectacularly beautiful and surprisingly hard to spot.

Eupanacra elegantulus caterpillar

A few shots of a beautiful, full-grown caterpillar of the hawkmoth Eupanacra elegantulus, found on Monstera deliciosa. The first four photos show the caterpillar assuming a threat posture mimicking a snake to ward off would-be predators. The final photo is a close up of the caterpillar's thorax with its startling eyespots.