Tentative New Butterfly Discovery for Singapore .
This weird looking don't-know-what butterfly flew passed in a deep forested area when I was attempting to shoot a Bamboo Tree Brown. I gave chase and managed a couple of shots . while trying to reposition for a better shot , he fluttered off into the deep bush. This is one of the weirdest butterfly I have ever come across.
On close scrutiny and checking with authoritive references it is tentatively identified as the very rare Liphyra brassolis abbreviata (The Moth Butterfly ). The shot has been forwarded to Lepidoptera experts for confirmation. It is the world largest lycaenid and myrmecophilous species ( its larva habitually shares the nest of an ant colony) associated with Oecophylla smaragdina (weaver ants or commonly refer to as red ants), the larva preys upon larvae and pupae of the host ant. The adult butterfly's proboscis is wholly atrophied and it cannot feed. This species is reported in "The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula " as very rare in Peninsula of Malaya.
Details of discussion of this new find in Singapore is under active discussion at ButterflyCircle Forum
Liphyra brassolis abbreviata (The Moth Butterfly )
Cheers!
This weird looking don't-know-what butterfly flew passed in a deep forested area when I was attempting to shoot a Bamboo Tree Brown. I gave chase and managed a couple of shots . while trying to reposition for a better shot , he fluttered off into the deep bush. This is one of the weirdest butterfly I have ever come across.
On close scrutiny and checking with authoritive references it is tentatively identified as the very rare Liphyra brassolis abbreviata (The Moth Butterfly ). The shot has been forwarded to Lepidoptera experts for confirmation. It is the world largest lycaenid and myrmecophilous species ( its larva habitually shares the nest of an ant colony) associated with Oecophylla smaragdina (weaver ants or commonly refer to as red ants), the larva preys upon larvae and pupae of the host ant. The adult butterfly's proboscis is wholly atrophied and it cannot feed. This species is reported in "The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula " as very rare in Peninsula of Malaya.
Details of discussion of this new find in Singapore is under active discussion at ButterflyCircle Forum
Liphyra brassolis abbreviata (The Moth Butterfly )
Cheers!
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