Back
Catopyrops ancyra (C. Felder, 1860)
| Family Name: | Lycaenidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Butterfly and Moth) |
| Common Name: | Ancyra Blue |
Name
Description
| Description | Males are dull blue with two black tornal spots on the hindwing. Females are black with basal parts shot with iridescent blue on the forewing and dull blue on the hindwing, and has black-orange-crowned su-marginal spots on the hindwing. There are filamentous white-tipped tail at vein 2 of the hindwing. |
|---|
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | The species has thus been observed only on Pulau Ubin. It frequents open areas along footpaths and males have often been seen puddling on damp sandy areas. |
|---|---|
| Habitats | Forest, Parks & Gardens |
| Distribution | Assam to South-east Asia through to Australia and the south Pacific islands. |
| Nature Areas | Pulau Ubin |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Loss of habitat on Pulau Ubin and host plants. |
|---|---|
| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species was not observed in Singapore by the early authors and was first seen in 2004 on Pulau Ubin. There appears to be a colony on the island where it is more frequently observed along sunny open paths. Identification of this species was courtesy of Dr. Laurence Kirton of Forest Research Institute of Malaysia via clear photos of the butterfly specimen obtained on Pulau Ubin. The particular subspecies of the specimens found in Singapore is, however, yet to be ascertained. The subspecies aberrans Elwes is known to exist in Malaysia. |
| Conservation Notes | The preservation of its preferred habitats on Pulau Ubin. Further knowledge of its early history and host plants would be important to understand the species and how it can be conserved. |
Status
| Conservation Status | Moderately 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 |
|---|