These photos were taken at the middle of our hot and humid environment, temperatures ranging 30-36C. It rained twice however, one in March and one in May. Those unusual sudden rains, that the weather people called thunderstorm rains somehow lessen the heat. But it also increased humidity which might be useful to plants but almost unbearable for mammals. The following photos of butterflies are normally absent during our previous normal dry seasons. The mentioned rains are very rare occurrence but some catterpillars braved to emerge because some shoots grow for them to munch on. A little later, these butterflies emerged unusually through this heat. They are brave enough to beat the heat and waterless environment. Moreover, nectar plants are very few these time.
This butterfly is very common in our property,
Junonoia hedonia. It is not a fast or high flyer, just under the trees and alighting on dried leaves. I am sure it is also a sure environment for it to camouflage its color. I seldom see it alight on the flowers.
the underside of the first photo
This one surely had its life about to end, but it still is fast seemingly not affected by the torn wings. Even its scales are already worn-out and the full shades already fading. It was the hottest time of the day, but i really wanted to document the condition of this butterfly, so pathetic but still struggling on!
Go on butterfly, you are an idol as in IDOL.
It has been witness to a very harsh dry season. This is my first time to see a butterfly with very dilapidated/torn wings but still coping with life.
It is still the same weary butterfly, showing the blue sheen of its upper wings. This might be a
Hypolimnas bolina.
The top and below photos are of two kinds. They have definitely different designs. I wonder if they are different species or just one species but different sexes. Lasippa illigera. (Thanks to Dr. Peter B. Hardy for the ID).
It is perched with very nice contrast to Heliconia rostrata, which has been blooming already for two months. It is good some butterflies can also get food from them.
Pantoporia nefte or Neptis mindorana, i am not sure as they are almost the same, which i got comparing it with Butterflies of the Philippines book. However, Mr Horace Tan of
Butterflies of Singapore identified it as
Phaedyma columella. Dr Hardy finally confirmed this is
Neptis mindorana.
The above photo of a black unknown insect is perched on a citrus trunk full of lichens. I also don't know the identity of the insect. It looks like a black ladybug.
