Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks - Lower Peirce Reservoir Park

Butterfly Photography at Our Local Parks
Featuring : Lower Peirce Reservoir Park


A timber boardwalk winds around the reservoir edge at the Lower Peirce Reservoir Park

This weekend's feature location for butterfly photography is adjacent to the second oldest reservoir in Singapore. (The oldest reservoir being the nearby MacRitchie Reservoir) It was originally known as the Kallang River Reservoir, and it was formed by impounding across the lower reaches of the Kallang River in 1910.



In 1922, it was renamed Peirce Reservoir in commendation of the services of Robert Peirce (engineer), who was the PWD engineer of Singapore from 1901 to 1916. In 1975, a dam was built across the upper reaches of the Peirce Reservoir, splitting it into Upper and Lower Peirce Reservoirs thereafter.

Mature secondary forest lines the banks of Lower Peirce Reservoir Park

The forested areas that line the banks of Lower Peirce Reservoir Park (LPR) is considered a mature secondary rainforest. One can still find rubber trees and oil palms in the area - reminders of a past when vast areas of Singapore were covered with cash crops and plantations. The Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is part of the 3,403 Ha Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). It forms the eastern boundary of the CCNR and is connected to the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park. Lower Peirce Reservoir Park sits on about 6 Hectares of land covered with thick lush secondary forest.

Within LPR, a nature boardwalk meanders through one of Singapore's last remaining mature secondary forest and along the edge of Lower Peirce Reservoir. The 900m boardwalk takes the visitor along the water's edge and then through a well-shaded secondary forest which is home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. The boardwalk is of adequate width and is robustly constructed to withstand the ever-humid conditions under the forest canopy. I recall that this was one of the first forest boardwalks constructed by NParks and the environmentally-sensitive construction process was managed such that no mechanical equipment was allowed in the forest. Hence the construction work was done solely by manual labour.

The main road to the reservoir is lined with butterfly-attracting plants like Bandicoot Berry and Red Tree Shrub



Some common butterflies found at the open areas at Lower Peirce Reservoir Park

The main entrance to Lower Peirce Reservoir Park is via a small carpark towards the south-east of the park. Parking is free but lots are limited. Visitors walk along a paved road that is lined with native plants like Bandicoot Berry and Red Tree Shrub. As you reach the reservoir edge, you can take in the scenic view of the Lower Peirce Reservoir and the golf course beyond. Nearby, there are trellises covered with Bauhinia and there are Ixora shrubs along the paths. Look out for the Grass Yellows, Cycad Blue, Bush Browns, Grass Blues and Sailors around this area.



Note that recreational fishing is permitted along a short stretch along the edge of the reservoir, so do not be alarmed if you see what appears to be 'poachers' within a nature reserve! There are shelters and pavilions nearby to take cover if you are caught in our tropical thunderstorm. Once past this open area, you will be able to see the start of the nature boardwalk. This boardwalk will lead you towards the first section which skirts around the forest edge and bring you just next to the water of the reservoir.



Views towards the reservoir.  Recreational fishing is permitted here


The start of the boardwalk accessed from the Lower Peirce Reservoir carpark

Along the boardwalk, you will be able to spot lush bushes of the Straits (or Singapore) Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum). This ripened fruits of this plant is attractive to many species of butterflies, but you will have to wait till the fruiting season before you can enjoy watching the variety of butterflies that visit the sugary fruits. The Straits Rhododendron is also the caterpillar host plant of the Horsfield's Baron (Tanaecia iapis puseda) and if you are lucky, you will encounter the female of this species ovipositing on the host plant.




A female Horsfield's Baron preparing to lay her eggs on the Straits Rhododendron which grows beside the boardwalks around the water's edge.

Note that there are no barriers along this boardwalk, so please take care not to fall off the edge and into the water! Once you get past this stretch, the boardwalk will lead you into the heavily-shaded forested area of the park. There are adequate signages along the boardwalk with nature-friendly names like Casuarina Entrance, Jacaranda Entrance, Costus Trail, Hevea Trail and Oncospermum Trail, which are aptly named after some of the plants that can be found along the boardwalk trail.



The rare Yellow Archduke (Lexias canescens pardalina).  Its caterpillar is often encountered at the Lower Peirce Reservoir boardwalk trail

At the intersection between the Bamboo Trail and Oncospermum Trail, keep your eyes peeled for the Buffy Fish Owl, which has attracted many bird photographers to this location. Coincidentally, this is also the area where the caterpillar of the rare Yellow Archduke has been photographed a number of times. Do look out for the elusive adult butterfly.






In the heavily-shaded forest through which the boardwalk winds, look out for the shade-loving species like the Archduke and Common Faun

Taking the route towards the Costus Trail will bring you to the end of the boardwalk at the Jacaranda Entrance. The heavily shaded forest understorey will not be generally attractive to the sun-loving butterfly species. However, look out for the forest dwellers like the Archduke, Malay Viscount and Common Faun, particularly in the vicinity of their respective caterpillar host plants.




NParks has designed rest areas for tired hikers or visitors who prefer to sit quietly and observe the amazing diversity of flora and fauna at Lower Peirce Reservoir Park

Moving along Bamboo Trail towards Hevea Trail will send you towards the Casuarina Entrance where the trail ends. Beyond this entrance and to the north is the famous Casuarina Road Prata shop which is a must-visit lunch pit stop after a long tiring walk. Note that the boardwalk trail is not flat and there are some elevation changes that will require you to walk up and down short flights of steps.




More uncommon forest species like the Saturn and Dark Blue Jungle Glory can be found here

Again, under the heavily-shaded forest canopy, you will expect to encounter only the shade loving butterfly species. It was amongst the leaf litter in the undergrowth that I spotted my first Dark Blue Jungle Glory in Singapore many years ago. Given that there are many different species of palms and rattans along the forest stream just off the boardwalk, see if you can spot the seasonal Saturn amongst the undergrowth.




And then there are some surprises amongst the Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae that will appear from time to time. If you are lucky, you may be able to encounter some of them. Some years back, I came across this pristine Fluffy Tit (Zeltus amasa maximinianus) feeding on some moss on a leaf. The occasional Arhopala and Jamides may flutter by, and when in season, you should be able to spot a couple of Branded Imperial (Eooxylides tharis distanti) around.




As you exit the boardwalk trail, do look out for the flowering bushes of the Bandicoot Berry and Buas Buas along Old Upper Thomson Road. These will usually attract the common butterflies like the Malayan Five Ring, Chestnut Bob, Chocolate Pansy and an occasional rarity that is waiting to surprise you.



The Lower Peirce Reservoir Park cannot be described as a 'butterfly haven', but the shaded habitat can spring the occasional surprise and delight you - particularly amongst the forest-loving species. Do look out for overripe figs and other forest fruits on the ground when in season, for butterflies are attracted to the sugary diets on the forest floor.



How to Get There :
By Bus:
Bus nos. 163, 167, 169, 855, 980.
Alight at the bus stop nearest to the Sembawang Hill Food Court and walk along Old Upper Thomson Road towards Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. The entrance to the trail (Casuarina Entrance) is about five minutes away.

By Car : Follow the direction of Upper Thomson Road. Turn left before the traffic lights at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 into Old Upper Thomson Road. Follow
the road until you see the entrance of the trail. Parking facilities are available along the road near the Casuarina Entrance (Paid parking). Alternatively park at the Lower Peirce Reservoir Carpark towards the south. (Free Parking)

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Khew SK and Horace Tan

Favourite Nectaring Plants #15

Butterflies' Favourite Nectaring Plants #15
The Spicate Eugenia (Syzygium zeylanicum)


A Plane (Bindahara phocides phocides) feeding on the flower of Syzygium zeylanicum

This article features a relatively widespread species of the Syzygium genus, the Spicate Eugenia (Syzygium zeylanicum). The genus Syzygium comprise flowering plants that belongs to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The genus comprises about 1200–1800 species, and has a native range that extends from Africa and Madagascar through southern Asia east through the Pacific. Its highest levels of diversity occur from Malaysia to northeastern Australia, where many species are very poorly known and many more have not been described taxonomically.


A Spicate Eugenia tree in full bloom along the fringe of the nature reserves

Several species of Syzygium are well-known as a popular local fruit called "Jambu", a pink or red crunchy and thirst-quenching fruit that is often eaten "off the tree". The flowers of the Syzygium spp are quite unique in that they often bloom in bushy white clusters, giving the tree a "wintry" appearance. When in full bloom, many species of the Syzygiums attract insects and other pollinators to feed on the nectar of its flowers.


Buds and flowers of the Spicate Eugenia

Whilst we feature the Spicate Eugenia as our 15th butterflies' favourite nectaring plant, there are several other local Syzygium species, like S. glaucum, S. myrtifolium, S. lineatum and probably several other species that look quite similar to the Spicate Eugenia and whose flowers are equally as attractive to butterflies. These plants can be found in Singapore's parks and nature reserves and whenever they are in bloom, it is always a delight to enjoy the numerous species of butterflies feeding on the flowers of these plants.



The genus name Syzygium is derived from 'syzygos' (Greek for 'joined'), alluding to the opposite paired leaves. The species name 'zeylanicum' refers to Ceylon (old name for Sri Lanka), where the species is also naturally distributed. The Spicate Eugenia is native to Singapore and has a distribution range across East Madagascar, through India, South China to Southeast Asia.

Plant Biodata:
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Syzygium
Species: zeylanicum
Synonyms: Eugenia longicauda, Eugenia zeylanica, Eugenia varians, Myrtus zeylanica, Syzygium spicatum, Eugenia spicata
Country/Region of Origin: Native to Singapore
English Common Names: Spicate Eugenia
Other Local Names: Kelat Nasi Nasi, Kelat Nenasi, Gelam Tikus, Gelam Paya, Gelam Tikus Laut, Kelat Merah, 锡兰蒲桃


A Spicate Eugenia tree in full bloom.  Can you spot the two butterflies feeding on the flowers?

The Spicate Eugenia is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 18 m tall, attain 100 cm in girth size, with oval to rounded crown.. The bark of the tree is reddish-brown and papery-flaky in young specimens. Where cultivated in parks or the fringes of nature reserves, it is planted single in rows or close together to form a hedge or a visual screen. It is sometimes seen growing wild on our natural coastal cliffs such as those on St John's Island and Labrador Park. In other areas, it is cultivated at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, Telok Blangah Hill Park and many other parks in Singapore.



Leaves of the Spicate Eugenia. Young leaves are orangish-pink and glossy

The leaves are opposite, short-stalked and leathery, elliptical to lance-shaped, 5–11 cm long by 2–5 cm wide with a pointed leaf tip. Each leaf has one vein running parallel to the leaf margin, and 10–14 pairs of side veins. Mature leaves dark glossy green above, paler green below, with numerous secondary veins spaced 2-3 mm apart and at 80°-85° angle from midvein, veins conspicuous on upper leaf surface and slightly raised on bottom surface. The young leaves are purplish to orangish-pink and very glossy.


Close up of the flowers of the Spicate Eugenia

The flowers of the Spicate Eugenia are bisexual and are white, faintly fragrant, and found in up to 2.5–4 cm long flower clusters located at ends of its branches, or axils of its leaves. The flowers are bushy, often described to look like "pom-poms" and are highly attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. When in full bloom, the tree looks like it is covered in white "snow". The flowers are delicate, and usually do not last for more than a week.


The whitish-green fruits of the Spicate Eugenia with a Copper Flash standing guard

The plant produces fleshy fruits that are oblong-round, 0.5–0.7 cm in diameter, white and each fruit contains one greenish seed. The small berries ripen from greenish to white and freckled with several brownish spots. The relatively thin pulp is soft and fleshy, and is edible. The seeds are eaten by birds, squirrels and other fruit-eating animals.




The Spicate Eugenia flowers infrequently - sometimes once to three times a year, and occasionally it may flower weakly and the tree does not reach a full bloom. However, when it does flower (and often several trees in the same vicinity flower together at once), the butterfly species that visit the flowers for their nectar is an awesome sight to behold! Where the tree grows at the fringes of the nature reserves, many rare and otherwise not-often-encountered species can be observed.



Butterflies of all sizes and species are attracted to the flowers of the Spicate Eugenia

A tree in full bloom attracts many representatives from five of the six families of butterflies in Singapore - with the exception being the Riodinidae, which I have personally not encountered any of the species feeding on the flowers of the Spicate Eugenia. It is interesting to note that the physical structure of the flowers are almost universal to allow butterflies of all shapes and sizes to feed on the nectar in the flowers - from the large Papilionidae to the diminutive Lycaenidae and the long-proboscis endowed Hesperiidae.


Very subtle differences between the leaf margin veins between S. zeylanicum and S. lineatum

The Spicate Eugenia is often confused with the very similar-looking Common Kelat (Syzygium lineatum). Both trees, when flowering, are equally as attractive to butterflies. The distinguishing veins on the underside of the leaf of the Common Kelat has two veins running parallel to the leaf margin, whereas the Spicate Eugenia's leaf has only one vein.





Another closely-related species, Syzygium glaucum and some butterflies that feed on the flowers

Another related species, Syzygium glaucum, has almost similar looking flowers that are equally attractive to butterflies and is also featured here with several butterfly species feeding on the flowers. This Syzygium species has been cultivated at Pasir Ris Park near the mangrove walk, and should also be observed for its attractiveness to the butterflies in this urban park.





Whilst the fragrance of the flowers is not often detectable by the human nose, once the Spicate Eugenia trees or bushes flower, particularly in nature areas, it will be swarming with butterflies, bees, moths and all sorts of insects. This strongly suggests that the nectar in the flowers must be attractive enough to bring all these visitors, which are otherwise shy and not often observed, to the flowering trees.



The usually shade-loving Archdukes come out to feed on the flower of the Spicate Eugenia.
Top : Male Archduke Bottom : Female Archduke

It is always amazing to see so many species of butterflies visiting the flowers of the Spicate Eugenia, and even the ground feeders can be seen. For example, the Archduke (Lexias pardalis dirteana), usually found in the shaded understorey of forested areas and typically feed on rotting fruits on the forest floor, has been seen feeding at the flowers of the Syzygium in the open. This observation is evidence of a change in behaviour of the shade-preferring Archdukes, whenever they are attracted to the flowers of this plant.






Various Hesperiidae and Lycaenidae feed on the Spicate Eugenia flowers

For the many other species of butterflies which an observer may encounter when the Spicate Eugenia (and several other related Syzygium spp) flowers, there are too many to name in this article. We will continue to be surprised at the diversity of butterflies that are attracted to this flowering tree and it is certain one of the 'butterfly magnets' that NParks should continue to cultivate, particularly in the vicinity of the nature catchments.

Text by Khew SK : Photos by Khew SK, Henry Koh, Loke PF, Bene Tay and Teo Siyang