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