A butterfly emerged from the pupa

A butterfly emerged from the pupa On my Palm shrub

#1 spheredome

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Posted 29 December 2010 - 12:59 AM

Once a while, I do find empty chrysallis on my palm plant but seen the emerging insect. Finally, I managed to see what it is. But I am wondering where did the catepillars come from. There is nothing edible around except for my neighbour's lime which is nearly 8m away and will have to crawl on the floor to get on.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/spheredome/Temp/IMG_0142.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/spheredome/Temp/IMG_0095.jpg

#2 Jeffrey

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Posted 29 December 2010 - 01:11 AM

Hi Darren

This is the Elymnias hypermnestra agina aka Common Palmfly. They usually hang around palm trees and feed on the trees and not lime trees

#3 islaverde

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Posted 29 December 2010 - 09:00 AM

actually, lime trees serve as food for a even more beautiful butterfly... the lime butterfly and great/mormon

#4 spheredome

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Posted 29 December 2010 - 11:16 AM

Thanks for the id, never knew that the hard leaves of the palm tree are edible for any insect. These catepillars are very discreet, did not see them when I am trimming the plant, not even droppings. Even my army of patrolling sunbirds did not see them (must deduct their salary :lol:/> )

Jeffrey, on 29 December 2010 - 01:11 AM, said:

Hi Darren

This is the Elymnias hypermnestra agina aka Common Palmfly. They usually hang around palm trees and feed on the trees and not lime trees

#5 spheredome

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Posted 29 December 2010 - 11:25 AM

Yes, caterpillars love them. The one that keeps coming back looks something like the "Black Veined Tiger". Rather have a tamper, I shoo it away and it charged at me.

islaverde, on 29 December 2010 - 09:00 AM, said:

actually, lime trees serve as food for a even more beautiful butterfly... the lime butterfly and great/mormon

#6 Derrick Lim

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Posted 26 August 2011 - 07:55 PM

Nice shot! Wonders of nature metamorphosis is. The science that goes into it is so superior compared to our knowledge of the world's science which seems so primitive. :offtopic:/>

#7 Green Baron

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Posted 27 August 2011 - 12:33 AM

Darren,
It feeds on Yellow Cane Palm. It is very easy to spot them if you know what to look for. They used to be abundant in Singapore due to the yellow cane palm being a very popular landscaping plant for condo. however with the rampant fumigation in almost all condos, there are no longer that common.