Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks - Fusionopolis North

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks
Featuring : Fusionopolis North @ One North Park

Another Butterfly Garden in Singapore has recently been completed by NParks and opened to the public on the western part of Singapore. A 5,800 sqm Butterfly Garden referred to as Fusionopolis North, it features a rain garden with bioswales, is cultivated with butterfly-attracting host and nectaring plants.




One-north Park is a 16-ha park consisting of 13 land parcels spanning across the entire length of JTC’s masterplan for one-north to create a work-live-play-learn environment. The park, when fully completed, serves as an integrated green corridor to link key developments such as Biopolis, Fusionopolis, Mediapolis and the one-north MRT station.






Last week, two of the parcels were completed - Fusionopolis North (flanked by Central Exchange Green, One North Link and Portsdown Road) and Fusionopolis South (flanked by One North Crescent, Portsdown Road and Central Exchange Green). The two adjacent parcels are rich with local biodiversity like birds, butterflies, dragonflies and even a snake or two.




I visited to the Fusionopolis North's Butterfly Garden during its opening ceremony last Saturday at around 4:00pm on a drizzly evening. Surprisingly, there were still quite a number of butterflies fluttering around, feeding on the flowering plants. In a short 30 minute survey, a total of 11 species of butterflies were spotted. Not bad, considering the time of the day and the weather.




Two more follow-up observation surveys were made over the weekends and the tally is now 26 species and counting! The Butterfly Garden was active with free-ranging butterflies on both the days that I visited. The most common species was the Lemon Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona pomona) and Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore). There were at least 20 individuals of both species fluttering amongst the flowering plants.



Top : Female Blue Pansy ovipositing on the leaves of the variegated Asystasia gangetica

Large numbers of butterfly-attracting plants have been cultivated on the 0.58Ha plot. The main concrete path winds around the patches of host and nectaring plants, with secondary paths of gravel providing alternative routes around the greenery. Look for the Tawny Coster caterpillars on the Yellow Alder (Tunera ulmifolia) plants. The low-lying Asystasia gangetica "Ivory Ribbons" plants attract the Blue Pansy to lay eggs on them, and their caterpillars can be found on these plants, if you look hard enough.


Common Mime feeding on the purple flower of the Golden Dewdrop

The other host plants like the Lime Bush (Citrus sp) and Indian Curry Leaf (Murraya koenigii) around the periphery of the Butterfly Garden are sure attractants to the females of the Common Mormon and Lime Butterfly to lay eggs on their favourite caterpillar host plants. There are also many other host plants like Asystasia, Ixora, Cratoxylum cochinchinense and Caesalpinia pulcherrima to attract their respective butterfly species.



Amongst the nectaring plants are the Yellow Alder (which attracts butterflies to feed on them in the early morning hours when their yellow flowers are open fully), Lantana, Ixora, and the Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta). The last-named plant, with its pretty purple flowers, seems to be the all-time favourite with the butterflies at this Butterfly Garden.


Female Blue Pansy feeding on the yellow variety of Lantana camara

The success of this small patch of greenery is dependent on its catchment area surrounding the park. Adjacent to the cultivated patches, large areas of greenery are left in their undisturbed natural state. These green 'backdrops' are functionally critical as buffer areas which also host rich biodiversity in the area. The network of Park Connectors (PCNs) then link up the larger parks like the Southern Ridges, Botanic Gardens, West Coast Park and Bukit Timah to this area.


Overview map of the Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden

As the Butterfly Garden at Fusionopolis North is newly completed, it appears rather open and hot. When the vegetation is more mature, there may be patches of shadier habitats that may attract other species of butterflies besides those that prefer open and bright sunshine environments. Do take a walk to the adjacent Fusionopolis South, as there are also areas that are attractive to butterflies as well.



Signages and seating at Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden

There are some interpretative signs to help introduce the types of plants that are cultivated at the Butterfly Garden. On a cloudy day or in the evenings, a visitor may be tempted to just take a seat at several seating areas along the walkways, just to enjoy the breeze and watch the butterflies flutter by.





Whilst nature enthusiasts often lament the loss of our natural urban greenery, the juxtaposition of cultivated plots with existing natural plots like what has been done at One-North Park, often offers a good conservation balance that may be just right for our biodiversity to thrive within our built environment. NParks and other government agencies like the JTC and URA have been making great strides in helping to maximise the potential of our urban greenery to attract and enhance our biodiversity despite the continuous need to develop our scarce land resources.


Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden with the high-tech industrial buildings in the background

If you are a resident living in the south-western part of Singapore, pay a visit to this new Butterfly Garden at Fusionopolis North on a sunny day, and you will not be disappointed at the variety of butterflies that can be spotted at this small plot of greenery.



How to Get There :
By MRT : Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden is about a 5-minute walk from the One-North MRT station, or about a 10-minute walk from the Buona Vista MRT station.

By Car : See map for details. Park at the various buildings opposite the park. The basement carpark at One-North Residences is the nearest carpark. Note that prevailing parking charges apply.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Khew SK and Huang CJ

Checklist of Butterflies Observed at Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden :

1. Papilio clytia clytia (Common Mime)
2. Papilio demoleus malayana (Lime Butterfly)
3. Papilio polytes romulus (Common Mormon)
4. Delias hyparete metarete (Painted Jezebel)
5. Appias libythea olferna (Striped Albatross)
6. Catopsilia pomona pomona (Lemon Emigrant)
7. Catopsilia scylla cornelia (Orange Emigrant)
8. Eurema hecabe contubernalis (Common Grass Yellow)
9. Danaus chrysippus chrysippus (Plain Tiger)
10. Ideopsis vulgaris macrina (Blue Glassy Tiger)
11. Elymnias hypermnestra agina (Common Palmfly)
12. Mycalesis mineus macromalayana (Dark Brand Bush Brown)
13. Doleschallia bisaltide bisaltide (Autumn Leaf)
14. Junonia hedonia ida (Chocolate Pansy)
15. Junonia almana javana (Peacock Pansy)
16. Junonia orithya wallacei (Blue Pansy)
17. Acraea terpsicore (Tawny Coster)
18. Phalanta phalantha phalantha (Leopard)
19. Phaedyma columella singa (Short Banded Sailor)
20. Euchrysops cnejus cnejus (Gram Blue)
21. Zizula hylax pygmaea (Pygmy Grass Blue)
22. Zizina otis lampa (Lesser Grass Blue)
23. Hasora chromus chromus (Common Banded Awl)
24. Potanthus omaha omaha (Lesser Dart)
25. Polytremis lubricans lubricans (Small Branded Swift)
26. Suastus gremius gremius (Palm Bob)

Further Reading and References :

TODAY Online : Latest phase of one-north Park to open today

NParks Website : One North Park : Fusionopolis North Butterfly Garden

Life History of the Chestnut Angle v2.0

Life History of the Chestnut Angle (Odontoptilum angulatum angulatum)

Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Odontoptilum  de Niceville, 1890
Species: angulatum C. Felder, 1862
Sub-species: angulatum C. Felder, 1862
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 35-40mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plants: Commersonia bartramia (Malvaceae, Common name: Brown Kurrajong, 山麻树), Talipariti tiliaceum (Malvaceae, Common name: Sea Hibiscus, 黄槿).

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:

The forewing termen is sinuous, and the hindwing prominently stepped at vein 7. The upperside is chestnut-brown with a complex, cryptic pattern of white striae in the hindwing. The forewing has a dark sub-discal band, a crescentic hyaline spot in space 2, and a smaller spot above it near the base of space 3. In addition, two apical spots can be found in spaces 7 and 8. Hindwing has elongated tornal cilia. The male possesses a tuft of white hairs on the fore coxae, and the female has a thick anal tuft on the abdomen. The underside is predominantly whitish in the hindwing.

Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
This species is rather rare in Singapore. The adults are usually found near its larval host plants, or when puddling on wet grounds and bird droppings. In Singapore, it may be found in urban wastelands where Commersonia bartramia grows, or in coastal wetlands where Talipariti tiliaceum (Sea Hibiscus) is common. They fly rapidly in bright sunshine in open spaces within forests or wastelands, and visit flowers for nectar. Other sighting locations include various parts of the nature reserves.

Early Stages:
To date only two local host plants (both in Malvaceae family), namely Commersonia bartramia and Talipariti tiliaceum, have been recorded for the Chestnut Angle. The caterpillars of the Chestnut Angle feed on leaves of the host plants. Between feeds, the caterpillars seek safety and concealment in a leaf shelter formed by cutting and folding a leaf fragment along the edge of the leaf.

Local host plant #1: Commersonia bartramia.

Local host plant #2: Talipariti tiliaceum.

The eggs of the Chestnut Angle are laid singly on the upperside of a fully developed leaf of the host plants. The creamy white egg is hemispherical with surface marked with longitudinal ridges running from the pole to the rim of the base. The egg is well concealed in a mass of fine and pale creamy brown setae deposited by the mother butterfly. Each egg has a basal diameter of about 0.9mm.

Two views of an egg of the Chestnut Angle.

Two views of a developing egg of the Chestnut Angle, about 1-2 days prior to hatching.

The egg takes about 5 days to hatch. The young caterpillar emerges by eating away the polar part of the egg shell. The rest of the egg shell is not eaten by the newly hatched which is about 2mm in length. The yellowish orange body is roughly cylindrical in shape and the head capsule is black in color. A prominent, black collar mark is present on the dorsum of the prothorax. Short, white setae are arranged in sub-dorsal and lateral rows on the body surface.

Two views of a newly hatched caterpillar, length: 2mm.

The leaf shelter of a 1st instar caterpillar of the Chestnut Angle.

The newly hatched makes its very first leaf shelter by cutting a near-circular leaf fragment and fold it back on the leaf upper surface. It ventures out of the shelter from time to time to feed on the leaf lamina in the vicinity. As the caterpillar grows, the body assumes a yellowish brown coloration. After reaching about 4mm in about 4 days, the caterpillar moults to the 2nd instar.

Two views of a 1st instar caterpillar, length: 3.1mm.

Two views of a late 1st instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 4mm.

The body of the 2nd instar caterpillar is initially yellowish brown, but turning yellowish with a green undertone as it grows in this stage. The body is covered with numerous tiny and short whitish setae. The head is black with a thin coat of short setae and the prothorax collar mark is still present. The leaf shelter constructed from 2nd instar onwards are typically folded on the underside of a leaf. The caterpillar eat through the floor and ceiling of the leaf shelter at various points, giving the shelter a perforated appearance. This instar lasts about 4 days with the body length reaching about 7mm.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, newly moulted.

Two views of a 2nd instar caterpillar, length: 5.5mm.

Two views of a late 2nd instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 6.5mm.

The 3rd instar caterpillar closely resembles the 2nd instar caterpillar. The head capsule is still black but bearing a somewhat denser coat of whitish setae. The body colour takes on an increasing whitish tone in this instar which takes about 3-4 days to complete with body length reaching about 11-12mm.

Two views of a 3rd instar caterpillar, newly moulted.

Two views of 3rd instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 7.5mm.

Two views of 3rd instar caterpillar, late in this stage, length: 9.9mm.

Two views of a late 3rd instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult, length: 10.8mm.

The 4th instar caterpillar has a creamy white body with a yellowish tone. The setae on its black/dark-brown head capsule are now proportionately longer than in the 3rd instar and are white to pale brown in colour. This instar lasts about 7 days with body length reaching about 19-20mm.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, newly moulted.

Two views of a 4th instar caterpillar, length: 16mm.

Two views of a late 4th instar caterpillar, dormant prior to its moult.

Leaf shelter of a 4th instar caterpillar of the Chestnut Angle found in the field.

A close-up view of the upper exterior of the leaf shelter of a 4th instar caterpillar of the Chestnut Angle. Noted the perforated leaf surface.

The 5th instar caterpillar has similar body appearance as in the 4th instar but the colour of the dense coat of setae head has become wholly pale brown. The 5th instar lasts for about 10-11 days, and the body length reaches up to 35-37mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, newly moulted.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, early in this stage, length: 20.5mm.

Two views of a 5th instar caterpillar, later in this stage, length:36mm.

A close-up view of the under exterior of the leaf shelter of a 5th instar caterpillar of the Chestnut Angle. Noted the perforated leaf surface.

On the last day of the 5th instar, the body decolorises to a pale shade of creamy white. The caterpillar ceases feeding and confines itself to the leaf shelter. The pre-pupatory larva prepares for the pupal phase with a series of silk construction work with the main pieces being a silk girdle across the dorsum of its early abdominal segments, and a silk pad on the substrate at its posterior end. Soon the pre-pupatory larva becomes dormant in its leaf shelter. Pupation takes place about 1 day later.

A pre-pupa of the Chestnut Angle.

The girdled pupa is secured with its cremaster attached to the silk pad on the substrate. It has a knobbed rostrum and two small, orange-coloured, ear-like appendages at the leading edge of the mesothorax. The body is creamy white with a pale green undertone. There are black spots arranged in neat symmetrical layout on the body segments. Thin, black striae adorn the wing pad. Length of pupae: 17-19.5mm.

Two views of a pupa of the Chestnut Angle.

Two views of another pupa of the Chestnut Angle with less spots on the thorax.

After about 7 days of pupal development, the pupa turns dark, especially so in the wing pad and thorax areas. The following day, the adult butterfly emerges from the pupal case.

Two views of a mature pupa of the Chestnut Angle.

A newly eclosed Chestnut Angle resting next to its pupal case.

References:

• [C&P4] The Butterflies of The Malay Peninsula, A.S. Corbet and H.M. Pendlebury, 4th Edition, Malayan Nature Society, 1992.
• Butterflies of Thailand, Pisuth Ek-Amnuay, 2nd Edition, 2012.
• A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Singapore, Khew S.K., Ink On Paper Communications, 2nd Edition,  2015.

Text by Horace Tan, Photos by Lemon Tea YK, Loke PF, Sunny Chir and Horace Tan