Flying Tigers 3.0
That includes Singapore’s Tiger Butterflies
So on this newest refresh, we add within the newest Tiger noticed at Butterfly Hill on Pulau Ubin lately – the Swamp Tiger (Danaus affinis malayana), and to appropriate the one we overlooked within the Flying Tigers 2.0 replace : the Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia aspasia). Therefore we now presently have 10 Flying Tigers noticed in Singapore as at 2020.
One among our extinct “Tigers” in Singapore, the Chocolate Tiger (Danaus melaneus sinopion) which has not been seen right here in over a century!
One of many Tigers recorded by the early authors however has since gone extinct in Singapore is the Chocolate Tiger (Danaus melaneus sinopion). In response to references, it has not been seen in Singapore for the reason that 1900’s. Nonetheless, it was listed as an extant species on the Singapore Guidelines however its standing is classed as extinct. Nevertheless, it was even featured on an TransitLink stored-value ticket some years again, despite the fact that nobody has really seen the species within the wild previously century.
A white-hindwinged form-intermedius Widespread Tiger feeding on the flowers of the Pink Tree Bush (Leea rubra)
A white-hindwinged form-alcippoides Plain Tiger feeding on the yellow flowers of the Blood Flower (Asclepias curassavica)
A mating pair of Black Veined Tigers
The primary group of Tigers underneath the genus Danaus options the extra vibrant species with colors which are paying homage to their feline mammalian namesake – black and orange. Of the species discovered right here in Singapore, the Widespread Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia), Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus) and the Black Veined Tiger (Danaus melanippus hegesippus) are comparatively frequent and will be generally present in numbers the place their respective host vegetation and different Danainae-attracting vegetation are grown.
The most recent addition to the Flying Tigers in Singapore – the Swamp Tiger (Danaus affinis malayanus)
The fourth and most up-to-date species, the Swamp Tiger (Danaus affinis malayanus) was lately noticed on Pulau Ubin in Aug 2020. A single feminine particular person was feeding on the flowers of the Bandicoot Berry (Leea indica) and stopped to relaxation at some vines. The species is understood to want mangrove habitats in Malaysia, and was most likely a stray from the mangroves of close by Johor. Pulau Ubin additionally has its patches of wholesome mangroves and it’s attainable that the Swamp Tiger was on the lookout for its host plant within the habitat.
A Darkish Glassy Tiger feeding on the flower of the Spanish Needle (Bidens alba)
The seasonal Yellow Glassy Tiger feeding on the flower of the White Weed (Ageratum conyzoides)
The following genus of species of Tigers can be the Parantica, which options two species – the Darkish Glassy Tiger (Parantica agleoides agleoides) and the seasonal Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia aspasia). The Darkish Glassy Tiger is frequent in city parks and gardens the place the Rattlebox Plant (Crotalaria retusa) is cultivated. The Yellow Glassy Tiger, alternatively, is a really uncommon vagrant that has solely been seen in Singapore a handful of occasions within the subject over the previous 3 a long time (though it’s not unusual in Malaysia).
A Blue Glassy Tiger feeding on the flower of the Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta)
A Gray Glassy Tiger perched on a palm frond. Observe the a lot paler markings and the virtually white hindwing cell
The genus Ideopsis hosts two species of Tigers which were seen in Singapore. The primary one, Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris macrina) is frequent and will be seen in varied habitats and extensively distributed throughout Singapore. The extra lately found Gray Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis juventa sita) is a uncommon vagrant that has solely been seen twice thus far – on Pulau Ubin and on the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This species is just not uncommon within the coastal areas of Johor, and will have strayed over to Singapore on beneficial winds.
A Darkish Blue Tiger feeding on the flower of the Spanish Needle at Pasir Ris Park Butterfly Backyard
A Blue Tiger puddling at a rocky outcrop
The ultimate two Tigers are current additions from the genus Tirumala. Within the early data, there have been no observations of any species of this genus in Singapore. It was solely previously decade that two species from this genus have been noticed in Singapore. The Darkish Blue Tiger (Tirumala septentrionis septentrionis) has been noticed a handful of occasions in Singapore and the people have been believed to be vagrants coming in from Malaysia. The Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace) of which solely a single sighting was made thus far, was most likely a stray or a stowaway that made its option to Singapore.
Now we have up to date the record of Flying Tigers in Singapore to 10 this yr, however will we ever see the remaining 5 that fly in Malaysia – just a few of them montane or discovered solely within the northern a part of the peninsula? Who is aware of? With Mom Nature, there’ll at all times be surprises.
Textual content by Khew SK : Pictures by David Chan, Khew SK, Loh MY, Loke PF and Mei Hwang
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