Life History of the Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia aspasia)

 Life History of the Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia aspasia)

Butterfly description:

The wings primarily exhibit a brownish-grey hue with the typical bluish spots/markings characteristic of the Parantica species. Notably, each wing features a vibrant yellow basal patch, encompassing approximately half of the hindwing surface.

Field Observations: 

This butterfly is commonly found in Peninsular Malaysia, preferring forested areas over open country. It moves leisurely, often gliding in mid-air, and when at rest, it tends to hang upside down on dried branches with its wings folded shut.

Distributions:

According to iNaturalist observations, this species is distributed across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, both East and West Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi), and the Philippines.

Host plant: Raphistemma sp.  A climber species that exudes white sap when its leaves are torn.

Early stage:

Egg: 5 days
Larva: 13 days
Pupa: 7 days

The Yellow Glassy Tiger deposits its eggs individually on the underside of host plant leaves. These eggs exhibit transverse ribbing on the surface and are embellished with subtle vertical ridges.

2 views of the egg of Yellow Glassy Tiger

After approximately 5 days, the egg undergoes hatching, and the newly emerged caterpillar consumes the entire eggshell. The caterpillar features a whitish cylindrical body with numerous short setae. Its large head capsule is black, and on the dorsum of the 2nd thoracic and 8th abdominal segments, there are short, pale brown protuberances. Additionally, small black dash-shaped patches are present on the prothorax dorsum, and all eight pairs of legs exhibit a black color, with a sizable black patch at the posterior end.

As the freshly hatched caterpillar begins feeding on the leaves, its body undergoes a transformation, adopting a brownish-red hue with the emergence of numerous white oval-shaped spots. The two pairs of protuberances turn brownish-red, elongating and projecting outward. The growth is notably swift, with the body length doubling in approximately 1-1.5 days. After 2 days from hatching, the caterpillar undergoes its first molt, transitioning to the second instar.

Top: Freshly hatched caterpillar. Middle: Late 1st instar caterpillar.
Bottom: Early 2nd instar caterpillar

In the second instar, the caterpillar's body adopts a dark purplish-brown base color, adorned with numerous small white spots and a few pairs of light yellow spots at the posterior end. The short protuberances observed on the 2nd thoracic and 8th abdominal segments in the first instar have transformed into longer, fleshy processes, with the pair on the mesothorax exhibiting greater length. This instar persists for approximately 2 days before the caterpillar undergoes molting to enter the third instar.

Top: Late 2nd instar caterpillar. Bottom, 3rd instar caterpillar

The third instar caterpillar closely resembles the second instar caterpillar, but now features brighter yellow spots near the 2nd thoracic and 8th abdominal segments. This instar spans approximately 2 days before completion.

2 views of 3rd instar caterpillar

2 views of late 3rd instar caterpillar

The fourth instar caterpillar bears a resemblance to the third instar caterpillar but stands out with proportionally longer processes. Notably, a greyish-white patch emerges at the midpoint of these processes, and the meso-thoracic pair tends to flex forward. White spots now adorn the previously black head. Additionally, yellow spots extend along its body from the thorax to the last abdominal segment. This instar persists for approximately 3 days.

2 views of early 4th instar caterpillar

2 views of 4th instar caterpillar

In the fifth and final instar, the caterpillar closely resembles the fourth instar counterpart, but with more defined colors and longer tubercles. The middle of the processes appears whiter than in the previous instar. This stage lasts for about 3 days.

2 views of 5th instar caterpillar

On the final day, the caterpillar stops feeding. The fully grown caterpillar then roams in search of a suitable pupation site, often settling on a branch, stem, or the underside of a leaf. Here, the caterpillar spins a silk pad and hangs vertically, assuming the pre-pupatory pose.

Caterpillar in pre-pupation position

Pupation occurs approximately 0.5 days after the caterpillar adopts the hanging posture. Characteristic of pupae within the Nymphalidae family, the Yellow Glassy Tiger pupa suspends itself from the silk pad without the presence of a supporting silk girdle. The pupa exhibits a bright greenish-yellow color and a somewhat barrel-shaped form. It features two median transverse black spots and is adorned with several scattered silvery spots on the dorsum of the thorax and the wing pads. Additionally, two thick black streaks are positioned in close proximity to the black cremaster on the dorsal side.

2 views of Pupa

Approximately 7 days into development, the pupal skin becomes translucent, indicating the completion of the developmental process within the pupal case. During this stage, the spots and streaks on the forewing upperside also become discernible. The following day, the adult butterfly emerges from the pupal case.

A Yellow Glassy Tiger butterfly is seen feeding on a flower.

Acknowledgment goes to LC Goh for sharing valuable information about the host plant and sharing his prior breeding experience.

Reference:

• iNaturalist
• The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, G. and N. van der Poorten (Eds.), 5th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 2020

Life history of the Branded Orange Awlet (Burara eodipodea)

Life history of the Branded Orange Awlet (Burara eodipodea)

Butterfly description:
The Branded Orange Awlet is rare in Malaysia, as there have been no recorded sightings from Malaysia on iNaturalist, and no posting on the "Butterflies of Singapore and Malaysia" Facebook group.

One reason that might contribute to the rare sightings could be that the skippers are crepuscular, flying at dusk and dawn. 

Host plant: Arthrophyllum diversifolium

Background

While trekking at Tampin Hill, we stumbled upon a caterpillar in its final developmental stage, nestled in its leaf shelter on Arthrophyllum diversifolium. The initial presumption that the caterpillar belonged to the Great Orange Awlet (Bibasis etelka), as its pattern, closely resembled that of the Great Orange Awlet caterpillar, despite its choice of a different host plant, distinct from the commonly recorded Combretum sundaicum.

The caterpillar was nurtured to adulthood, and upon eclosion, the resulting skipper appeared smaller and notably distinct from both the Great Orange Awlet and the Orange Awlet (B. harisa). Upon closer examination, it became evident that it was, in fact, the Branded Orange Awlet.

Last instar larva

Pupae of the Branded Orange Awlet

3 different size of leaf shelters found on the host plant

Reference:
The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, G. and N. van der Poorten (Eds.), 5th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 2020

Life History of the Intermediate Maplet (Chersonesia intermedia)

Life History of the Intermediate Maplet (Chersonesia intermedia)

Butterfly description: 

The upperside of the Intermediate Maplet butterfly is characterized by an orange-brown hue. It displays two reddish-brown bands in the wing's basal half, succeeded by a somewhat diffuse brown band, and a submarginal band which, on the forewing, has an inner edge. Additionally, the hindwing exhibits a small protrusion at vein 4.

Keys to ID:

Upperside subbasal and discal bands on forewing as wide as, or wider than, the hindwing postdiscal band; forewing with only a single subapical spot. (C&P5)

Comparing to C. rahria, the forewing usually not darkened. On upperside, the subbasal and discal bands are almost straight for C. intermedia. (LC Goh)

Host plant: The Fiddle-leaf Fig plant (Ficus lyrata)

Background

A caterpillar in its 5th stage of development, measuring approximately 10 mm in length, was discovered munching on the fresh leaf of a Fiddle-leaf Fig plant (Ficus lyrata) on my balcony. Initially, the caterpillar was collected and placed with a different plant, Ficus microcarpa 'Golden', as the observer assumed it to be a moth caterpillar. Subsequently, the caterpillar was provided with Ficus lyrata leaves, where it successfully developed into an adult butterfly.

Caterpillar collected on 14 Oct 23

Length 25mm, 17 oct 23

Caterpillar in pre-pupation position, 19 Oct 23

Two view of fresh pupae, 19 Oct 23

Left: 1 day before eclose; Right: few hours before eclose, 25 Oct 23

Reference:

• The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, G. and N.  van der Poorten (Eds.), 5th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 2020.
• LC Goh & Teo TP

Early Stage of the Forget-Me-Not (Catochrysops strabo)

 Early Stage of the Forget-Me-Not (Catochrysops strabo)

Butterfly description:

The Forget-Me-Not butterfly is uncommon in both Malaysia and Singapore, but it can be frequently found in shrublands, open fields, and forest edges. In Singapore, the butterfly often flies alongside its close relative, the Silver Forget-me-Not (Catochrysops panormus), as well as the Gram Blue (Euchrysops cnejus), as these three species share some of their host plants.

Key to Identification:

Forget-me-not (C. strabo)
- Underside forewing with a spot on the costa midway between the spot at the end of the cell and post discal band
- male upperside purplish blue in color
- female UPHW spaces 7 & 8 are brown color

The Silver Forget-me-not (C. panormus)
- Underside forewing with the costal spot adjoining the upper end of the post-discal band.
- male upperside sky blue in color
- female UPHW spaces 7 & 8 are same color as the space below it

Host plant:
Desmodium heterocarpon

The host plant found in an open field or land being developed in Singapore.

Host plant: Desmodium heterocarpon, flower (left), seedpods (right).

Habitat of the Forget-me-not and the host plant

Early stage description:

The early stage of the Forget-me-not feeds on the flower buds, flowers, and young seedpods of the host plant, while mature caterpillars tend to feed on the seedpods when available. The Silver Forget-me-not also utilizes the same host plant (Desmodium heterocarpon).

Life cycle
Egg: 2 - 3 days
Larva: 17 - 18 days
Pupa: 6 - 7 days

A Forget-me-not female laying egg on Desmodium heterocarpon

Eggs are laid singly between the flower buds of the host plant. The egg is rounded in shape, with some having large depressions or dents on the surface (left photo). Some eggs are covered with a semi-transparent substance on one side (right photo), possibly acting as a glue to hold the egg onto the host plant.
 

Egg with dents on the surface (left), with semi-transparent substance (right)

It takes about two to three days for the egg to hatch. The larva is yellowish-brown in color and has long setae on its body. It takes about 17-18 days for the larva to form a pupa.

Day 1 (hatched from egg) - Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 11

Day 14

Day 15 - 

Day 16 - Two views of a pre-pupa of the Forget-me-not, green form

Two views of a pre-pupa of the Forget-me-not, red form

2nd days in the pre-pupatory stage

Roughly 6-7 days later, the pupa darkens in color, indicating that the adult butterfly is about to emerge. The following day, the adult Forget-me-not butterfly emerges from the mature pupa.

Two view of a pupa of the Forget-me-not

A mating pair of the Forget-me-not

Reference:

• Life Cycle of A Forget-me-not by Ben Jin Tan (9 Feb 23)
• The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, G. and N.  van der Poorten (Eds.), 5th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 2020.
• Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.

A Tiny Addition to Malaysia's Butterfly Fauna: The Newly Recorded Species - Oriental Grass Jewel

A Tiny Addition to Malaysia's Butterfly Fauna: The Newly Recorded Species - Oriental Grass Jewel (Freyeria putli)

Over the past few decades, numerous butterfly species have been newly recorded in Malaysia. Among the most notable ones are:

Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore) - sighting by Simon Chan on 2002 at Petaling Jaya

Leopard Lacewing (Cethosia cyane) - Arshad et al., 2000 at Langkawi

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia) - sighthing by ButterflyCircle on 2009 at Langkawi

The latest addition:
Oriental Grass Jewel (Freyeria putli) - sighting by Chris Chapman on 2020

Background
The Oriental Grass Jewel butterfly species was not included in the early lists of Malaysia's butterfly fauna compiled by researchers and authors. This tiny species has a wingspan of 12-16mm, and during flight, it can be challenging to distinguish from the similarly sized Pygmy Grass Blue (Zizula hylax). As a result, this species may have been overlooked by many butterfly observers in the past.

Distribution
According to the latest records on iNaturalist (Mar 2023), the Oriental Grass Jewel butterfly species has a distribution range that extends from India to southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, and from there eastwards to Papua New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia.

Observation

During the observation of the Oriental Grass Jewel butterfly species at the Sg. Ara location in Penang, the host plant Indigofera hirsuta was discovered. Several Oriental Grass Jewel butterflies were observed flying around and laying eggs on the flower buds of this host plant.

Wingspan 12-16 mm.

Oriental Grass Jewel resting on the leaf of host plant

Host plant: Indigofera hirsuta

Host plant: Indigofera hirsuta

Flowers of Indigofera hirsuta

Flowers of Indigofera hirsuta

Seedpods of Indigofera hirsuta

Seed pods of Indigofera hirsuta

Open field habitat of Oriental Grass Jewel

Open field habitat of Oriental Grass Jewel

More photos:

Acknowledgement:
I would like to express my gratitude to Chris Chapman for his significant contribution to the discovery and dissemination of his findings on the Oriental Grass Jewel butterfly species located at Sg. Ara in Penang.

Reference:

A Photographic Monograph on Hong Kong Butterflies, Hong Kong Lepidopterists' Society

Butterflies of Thailand, 2nd Edition. Pisuth EK-AMNUAY

The Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula by A. Steven Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury (5th Edition).