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Papilio prexaspes prexaspes (C. & R. Felder, 1865)
| Family Name: | Papilionidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Butterfly and Moth) |
| Common Name: | Blue Helen |
Name
Description
| Description | Has a white patch on the hindwing and blue lunules along the hindwing margins. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | It is essentially a forest butterfly and has not been seen outside the nature reserves in Singapore. It has a fast and erratic flight and is often seen feeding at the flowers of Saraca spp. within the nature reserves. Males can often be found puddling at damp muddy spots along footpaths and forest streams. |
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| Habitats | Forest |
| Distribution | Widely distributed from the Andaman Islands to South East Asia. |
| Nature Reserves | Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Loss of habitat and host plants. Small population within the nature reserves. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species was not observed in Singapore by the early authors and was first seen in the early 1990s. It has been observed within the nature reserves (primarily the Central Catchment Nature Reserve) and appears to be seasonal. |
| Conservation Notes | Retention of the nature reserves and cultivation of its host plant, currently believed to be a species of Zanthoxylum. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Vulnerable (VU) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Khew, S.K. 2010. A field guide to the butterflies of Singapore. Singapore: Ink On Paper Communications Pte Ltd. 342pp |
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