The Harlequin Butterfly

#YouShouldKnow ↗ (opens in new tab) The Harlequin Butterfly, though stunning, is a rare sight in Singapore's urban landscape. Preferring heavily shaded areas within forests, this elusive beauty is often found fluttering among the foliage near the forest floor, with its wings half-opened, a sight to behold. But what truly sets it apart is its unique feeding habits - it's not a nectar lover, but rather, it seeks out microscopic substances on leaf surfaces.

Beautiful yet very rare in Singapore, the Harlequin Butterfly's presence is closely tied to the existence of its host plants in the forest. Sadly, its local population is under serious threat. In fact, it was thought to be locally extinct in the Singapore mainland, surviving only in Pulau Tekong, until a colony was discovered on the mainland in 2006.

Subtle differences between male and female Harlequin Butterflies add to their allure and charm. Males are brownish-black above and unmarked. On the forewing, there is a pale reddish-brown sub-apical patch. Females are marked like the female of the Lesser Harlequin but without any dark-dusted veins on the whitish sub-apical patch on the forewing. Underside of males and females are reddish-brown, with pale, blue-edged black spots on both wings.

Today, the biggest threat to the survival of the Harlequin butterfly is rapid deforestation, as lush forests crucial for the survival of the species are cleared for urban projects and developments. With every tree cleared, we risk losing this precious species forever.

In our journey towards progress, let's remember to tread lightly on nature's path. As Singapore progresses, we should continue to balance our development needs with our natural environment, so that our island remains a place that is liveable and sustainable for humans and wildlife alike.

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